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PhrasesWine TastingQuesto vino è molto minerale.
B1

Questo vino è molto minerale.

This wine is very mineral.

Pronunciation

'Minerale' — stress on 'mi-ne-RÀ-le'. Four syllables.

When to use it

Use when you detect a stony, chalky, or saline quality in a wine — often associated with volcanic soils or limestone.

What it means

'Mineralità' (minerality) is one of the most debated concepts in wine. The sensation of a stony, wet-pebble, or saline note is real and widely recognised.

Variations

Ha una bella salinità.

It has a lovely salinity.

A specific type of minerality — slightly salty, maritime

Si sente il suolo vulcanico.

You can taste the volcanic soil.

Attributes minerality specifically to volcanic origin

C'è qualcosa di gessoso.

There is something chalky.

'Gessoso' = chalky — typical of limestone minerality

Mini Dialogue

— Questo vino è molto minerale. — Sì, le vigne crescono su suolo vulcanico sull'Etna. — È diverso da qualsiasi altro bianco che abbia assaggiato. — L'Etna è unica al mondo.

— This wine is very mineral. — Yes, the vines grow on volcanic soil on Etna. — It's different from any other white I have tasted. — Etna is unique in the world.

Cultural Note

Etna Bianco, made primarily from Carricante grapes, is one of Italy's most exciting white wines. Volcanic basalt soils at 600-1000m altitude create wines of extraordinary freshness and complexity.