Body

Austere

Definition

Tight, reserved, high acid/low fruit openness — often young.

Why this matters in wine

Can open with air or food.

Position inside its category

Body
Austere

Body

  1. ○Thin
  2. ○Cliff-edge
  3. ○Hollow
  4. ○Mellow
  5. ○Short
  6. ●Austere
  7. ○Angular
  8. ○Delicate
  9. ○Elegant
  10. ○Light-bodied
  11. ○Finesse
  12. ○Closed
  13. ○Polished
  14. ○Complex
  15. ○Full-bodied
  16. ○Tight
  17. ○Firm
  18. ○Powerful
  19. ○Concentrated
  20. ○Dense
  21. ○Opulent
  22. ○Rich
  23. ○Extracted
  24. ○Flabby
  25. ○Fat

Position 6 of 25 on the Body scale.

Parent category

Body — Perceived weight and density — the mouthfeel scale from thin to fat that must track dish heaviness.

Sibling descriptors

Opposite descriptors

Nearby on the scale

More in Body

Frequently confused with

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FAQ

What does austere mean in wine?
Tight, reserved, high acid/low fruit openness — often young.
Why does austere matter for pairing?
Can open with air or food.
What is austere often confused with?
Tasters often overlap austere with lean, angular. Each descriptor has a distinct place in the wine vocabulary.

See also