Wine-speak can be confusing

Is it food-friendly or fruit-forward? Discover what these terms really mean

The world of wine is overflowing with jargon that threatens to make it an exclusive club. For instance, wines are often described as being food-friendly or fruit-forward, which might suggest to outsiders there are wines that are hostile to food.

The reality is virtually every wine is food-friendly because of its structure. The acidity in wines cleanses the palate between bites, which is what makes them compatible with various dishes.

Simple white wines, such as Pinot Grigio or Soave from Italy, are considered to be extremely food-friendly because they’re neutral in flavour. They complement many different dishes because there aren’t any polarizing flavours that could clash with your meal.

While Pinot Grigio might not be the best match for the dish you’re enjoying, it’s unlikely it will have the jarring effect of, say, drinking orange juice after brushing your teeth with mintflavoured toothpaste.

But acidity is a major structural component in wines of every colour and style, which means every wine could realistically be described as being food-friendly.

Fruit-forward wines define a specific style set. These are red, white or rosé wines whose first impression — perhaps sole impression — is fruity. Sometimes called fruit-driven, their aroma and flavour profile is positively bursting with primary fruit as opposed to savoury, earthy or oaky notes.

This style of wine is typically produced from ripe grapes fermented in stainless steel tanks at cooler temperatures, and bottled quickly. Every effort is made to preserve the fruit flavours inherent in the grapes.

Like food-friendly, the term fruit-forward might be used to classify inexpensive, commercial wines without much complexity or character. Some might see it as a judgment on a wine’s quality, but the audience for fruit-forward styles of wine is massive.

The suggested wines for this week are both fruit-forward red wines that are pretty delicious. They’re also food-friendly by definition, but especially so if you’re looking to grill or roast some meat to accompany.