Body
Full-bodied
Definition
A wine that feels weighty and mouth-filling — high extract, alcohol, and/or oak can all add to the sense of mass.
Why this matters in wine
Typical of bold reds and some oaked whites; pairs with rich proteins and concentrated sauces.
Position inside its category
Full-bodied
Body
- ○Thin
- ○Cliff-edge
- ○Hollow
- ○Mellow
- ○Short
- ○Austere
- ○Angular
- ○Delicate
- ○Elegant
- ○Light-bodied
- ○Finesse
- ○Closed
- ○Polished
- ○Complex
- ●Full-bodied
- ○Tight
- ○Firm
- ○Powerful
- ○Concentrated
- ○Dense
- ○Opulent
- ○Rich
- ○Extracted
- ○Flabby
- ○Fat
Position 15 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
Appears in
Common food pairings
- Steak
Frequently confused with
FAQ
- What does full-bodied mean in wine?
- A wine that feels weighty and mouth-filling — high extract, alcohol, and/or oak can all add to the sense of mass.
- Why does full-bodied matter for pairing?
- Typical of bold reds and some oaked whites; pairs with rich proteins and concentrated sauces.
- What is full-bodied often confused with?
- Tasters often overlap full-bodied with body, powerful, concentrated. Each descriptor has a distinct place in the wine vocabulary.