Polyphenols are naturally occuring chemicals that may have a positive effect on your health. For more information on wine and health see our sister web site http://www.wineinyourdiet.com.
PalateThe palate refers to the mouth’s sensory organs.
The peak is the optimum moment in the life of a wine. Of course, different people will perceive a different peak for a given wine, depending on their preferences.
Pedoclimate
Pedoclimate designates a vineyard’s environment taking into account the specific characteristics of the land and the local climate.
Pelure d’oignon
This term literally means onion skin, the golden brown color perceptible at the surface edges of a mature red wine.
Peppery
A peppery wine is spicy and pungent. It may be a white wine, for example a Gewurztraminer (the prefix Gewurz means spice). It may be a red wine such as a French Syrah or an Australian Shiraz.
Perfumed
Perfumed wines are fragrant and floral. They are usually white, but may be red.
Persistence
A wine’s persistence is its length.
Pétillant or pétillance
A pétillant wine has tiny or invisible bubbles that tingle the tongue.
Plummy
A rich, concentrated wine that smells and tastes of ripe plums is called plummy.
Plump
An almost fat wine is called plump.
Polished
A polished wine has no rough edges.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are a family of compounds present in the grapes and wines that provide astringency, body, and color.
A ponderous wine is quite heavy and undesirable.
Powerful
A powerful wine is a flavorful, full-bodied wine containing high levels of alcohol and tannins.
Prickly
A prickly wine contains a bit of gas.
Pruny
Overripe grapes can yield wines that taste like dried prunes. They are best avoided.
Puckery
Puckery is a synonym for astringent. This probably means that the grapes were harvested before ripening sufficiently.