Measuring the Finish
Wine professionals describe finish by:
- Length — short (under 5 seconds), medium (5-10 seconds), long (10-20 seconds), very long (20+ seconds)
- Quality — pleasant, bitter, warm, smooth, or evolving
- Character — do the lingering flavours change or stay the same?
What Creates a Long Finish
- Quality of fruit — ripe, concentrated grapes from low-yielding vines
- Balance — well-integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol sustain flavour
- Complexity — multiple flavour layers that unfold sequentially
- Winemaking — extended maceration, lees aging, and careful oak use all contribute
Caudalies
In French wine tasting, finish is measured in caudalies (seconds). A wine with 8+ caudalies is considered excellent, while the finest Grand Cru wines may achieve 15-20+ caudalies.
Finish and Wine Quality
The finish is often the most telling indicator of wine quality. A wine may have impressive aromas and flavours upfront, but if it drops off quickly, it signals lower overall quality. Great wines reward patience with evolving, memorable finishes.