Can anyone tell me what volatile means in a TN?

thanks

g-man,

Some context would be helpful. The only regular use of this word I've seen in tasting notes relates to Volatile Acidity. Interestingly, I hear about it in ports (one of your favorite beverages, no?) quite often. A good, if slightly geeked out explanation of VA can be read starting in paragraph 5 here.

PH

Spot On!!! You're good... and thanks for the link.

I must say tho the descriptor they had.

"revealed a vinegary edge to the wine. The second smelt appallingly of nail varnish."

I don't ever recall smelling like nail varnish or having any vinegary edge to them (unless it was a rich balsamic =))... mmm guess this goes onto another one of those descriptors that I can't / don't wish to learn to taste =)

thanks again!

gman,

I would propose that you do take the time to learn to recognize the smell of VA (it's more a smell than a taste). White distilled vinegar, and nail polish and plain acetone -based nail polish remover (without the tutti-frutti aromas they sometimes add to them) would be good starting points.

Just open a bottle of each (one at a time is best) on the table in front of you and let the smell come to you. It will. Watch that acetone on finished wood! It will ruin it irreversibly if spilled.

Also, to test yourself, you can take a wine of your choice (in a glass you don't mind throwing away) and put increasing numbers of drops the vinegar or polish remover (don't put in both at the same time) until you are able to smell them over the aromas of the wine. Obviously, you shouldn't drink the wine but dump it instead.

The first part of the 'exercise' gives you a sense of the smell on its own, the second part helps you distinguish it from the other smells in a wine.

Good luck.

Interesting exercise, doesn't normally come to mind to put vinegar and nail polish into wine.

Picked up some 2 buck chuck (3 buck in nyc) ... I will definitely give it a shot with the rest of the bottle I don't touch ...

thanks azprwb

You bet,g-man,
That is how a lot of flaws seminars are conducted.
Just sart slowly, few drops in a glass at first. Do separate glasses for vinegar and nail polish remover.

Good luck.