Bouquet refers to the complex aromas that develop in wine during fermentation and ageing, as opposed to primary aromas from the grape itself. Secondary bouquets arise from fermentation byproducts; tertiary bouquets develop from oxidative aging in barrel and bottle. A wine's bouquet—rather than its initial nose—often indicates complexity and quality. Young wines show primarily primary aromas; aged wines develop rich, layered bouquets. Terms like "complex bouquet" or "developed bouquet" indicate a wine that has aged sufficiently to develop secondary and tertiary aromas.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR COLLECTORS
Bouquet develops with bottle age; young wines have limited bouquet. A wine's bouquet evolution is one of the great pleasures of collecting and cellaring. Aged wines show fascinating, multifaceted bouquets impossible in young wines.
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