Lush describes a wine that feels generous, soft and richly textured, often with ripe fruit flavours and a smooth or velvety impression. Some lush wines are sweet or high in alcohol, but lush does not necessarily mean sweet. It is a subjective tasting term rather than a regulated style.
Ripe fruit, moderate acidity, soft tannins, residual sugar or glycerol can all contribute to a rounded impression. A lush wine may feel opulent and approachable, but it still benefits from enough freshness and structure to remain balanced.
Example: a ripe Merlot may show lush plum and black-cherry flavours, while Sauternes can feel lush through its sweetness, concentration and texture.
Related terms: rich describes generosity and depth; supple describes smooth, flexible texture.
This term is one of hundreds covered in depth across OCS courses, learning paths, and 1-on-1 coaching with Chef Eric.
