With International Women’s Day approaching on March 8th, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the outstanding achievements of women in the wine world.

While the contributions of women to winemaking, wine business, and journalism have been pivotal, Westgarth Wines thought another kind of story was worth putting in the spotlight on this day that celebrates female strength, vision, and creativity: the descriptor “feminine”.

This wine descriptor, along with its partner, “masculine,” has been under fire in recent years. Attacks range from criticism of their unfashionable perceived gender bias to simply being inadequate, “lazy” words to describe the character of a wine.

In this International Women’s Day wine article, let’s dive into the (often) heated wine terminology debate with a look at how tasting note language has evolved, why it changes, and how you can describe your wine like a pro.

What does a wine described as “feminine” mean? Traditionally, this descriptor is stylistic shorthand for wines that display finesse rather than power. Such wines typically showcase fragrance, delicacy, grace, precision, gentle intensity, and textural subtlety over density, muscularity, and boldness.

While the term is widely regarded as out of date, was the descriptor truly ever about gender? After all, a woman can have masculine characteristics and a man can possess feminine qualities. Instead, it is supposed to point to a wine’s light touch, aromas, and refinement.

In short, in winespeak, “feminine” has long been code for wines that speak softly but leave a deep, indelible impression.

For some, this is perfectly acceptable and accurate. Others equate it with limited gender stereotyping.

The idea of “feminine” (or indeed “masculine”) characteristics in wine did not hail from grape varieties, vineyards, or wineries. Instead, its roots can be traced to the cultural vocabulary of 19th-century Europe. Descriptions of aesthetic experiences, whether perfumery, poetry, gastronomy, or music, were often portrayed in such flowery terms.

In the imagination of the time, grace, subtlety, and delicacy belonged to the feminine realm, while power, structure, and boldness were coded as masculine. As fledgling wine commentary began to evolve into a genre at the turn of the 20th century, it was natural to follow the zeitgeist and apply such descriptors to the Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, or Cabernet Sauvignons of the day.

These descriptors seamlessly became part of the wine critique lexicon. Early writers tended toward vivid, romanticized language to communicate different styles to wine lovers. In the absence of vast, coded technical language we have at our fingertips today, “feminine” and “masculine” were words that served as immediately accessible shorthand to describe wine features. A fragrant, supple Burgundy could be described as the former, while a tannic, dense Left Bank Bordeaux was generally portrayed as masculine.

In recent years, some industry professionals have criticized the use of such descriptors, calling them “offensive” or describing them as imprecise. On the other side of the debate, others claim that wine lovers understand exactly what “feminine” and “masculine” mean in the context of tasting. They say that critics of the descriptions are pointlessly grafting the sometimes divisive world of gender stereotypes onto wine tasting.

Westgarth Wines came across another interesting point of view. Unlike the gender-neutral English language, most European tongues are rich in gendered vocabulary and, therefore, concepts. One commentator said that, while not against wine descriptors becoming more nuanced, perhaps critics of gendered tasting notes could consider that, linguistically, we don’t all see the world or express ourselves in the same way. They said that demanding neutralization of the oeno-lexicon was robbing them of the depth and subtleties of how they use language when describing wine.

This ongoing debate seems to be veering in favor of those against the use of gendered descriptors as wine tasting language evolves. However, it’s easy to see both points of view.

As our approach to describing wine develops, let’s hark back to some of the most important people to have influenced the genre.

20th Century

Émile Peynaud influence (1912 – 2004)
Émile Peynaud was an oenologist credited as being the father of modern winemaking. As a consultant, he played a significant role in transforming top estates in Bordeaux, including First Growths like Château Margaux and Château Lafite-Rothschild. He also revolutionized wine tasting notes by:

• emphasizing color, aroma, texture, and finish
• encouraging a systematic framework for wine writers
• guiding wine notes to move beyond mere impressionistic language to observable characteristics

Hugh Johnson tasting notes
English wine journalist, editor, and critic, Hugh Johnson, brought storytelling to wine criticism. With a career spanning seven decades, he is known for:

• introducing personality and narrative into wine notes  
• using of metaphors, imagery, and “character types”
• if you’ve ever described a wine as brooding, elegant, or playful, you can thank Hugh Johnson!

Michael Broadbent MW (1927 – 2020)
Michael Broadbent was an English wine critic and auctioneer whose wine descriptions were often driven by market insight. Writing for auction catalogues, Broadbent is known for:

• standardizing descriptions of vintage character, structure, and longevity
• creating a reliable oenological language that was both practical and expressive
• helping formalize shorthand for regional and stylistic terms

Robert Parker
One of the world’s most prominent wine critics, a favorable score from American Robert Parker is synonymous with the highest prestige. Parker is credited with:

• driving a new trend in tasting notes by combining direct, accessible language with a clear scoring system
• devising notes that defined style, potential, and value in a concise, authoritative read
• influencing global perceptions of wines (especially of Bordeaux and Napa) at a time when e-commerce was gaining ground rapidly

21st Century

Jancis Robinson modern wine writing MW
Jancis Robinson is a world-renowned British wine critic and author who combines literary elegance with rigorous technical analysis. She has had a huge influence on modern tasting note writing by:

• promoting precision and clarity
• advocating for non-gendered descriptors (although she admits using them herself in the early days)
• stressing structure, balance, and terroir over metaphorical language

Neal Martin
Neal Martin brings rigorous detail and subtle stylistic narrative to his wine notes. Martin focuses on:

• evolution, structure, and nuanced aromatics
• helping readers to comprehend wines at a deeper sensory level through technical mastery and storytelling
• educating, informing, and inspiring at the same time 

Lisa Perrotti-Brown enjoyed a long tenure as Editor-in-Chief of The Wine Advocate and later as Editor of Robert Parker Wine Advocate. She brings an academically rigorous slant to wine criticism, shaped by her Master of Wine training and decades of writing. She is acclaimed for:

• forensic structural analysis
• contextual depth, with reference to vineyards, vintage, and winemaking decisions
• a balanced tone combining technical mastery with accessibility

Over the decades, these figures have collectively influenced tasting notes as wine consumers, the market, and communication channels have changed. As new wine-producing regions and markets open up across the globe, there will be even more varied experiences of this much-loved beverage. This will be reflected in the approach to tasting notes in the years ahead.

Back to “feminine” wines, as the gendered tasting note debate continues, there’s no need to abandon evocative language. Conversely, the modern fine wine world is refining it. There is an ever-expanding modern wine vocabulary that conveys complexity and subtlety, without using gendered metaphors. Why not try some of the following next time you sip a balanced Burgundy or nuanced Napa?

• diaphanous texture
• filigreed tannins
• aerial
• aromatic wines
• tensile
• perfumed
• delicate wine structure
• mineral-driven
• chiselled
• transparent
• lithe

Moving from the argument about gendered descriptors to wine tasting notes in general, a pithy description needs clarity and confidence, and to communicate what you have experienced. If you’re ready to refresh how you talk or write about wines, focusing on a few key elements can transform your approach. Here’s how:

• start with a short impression that expresses the wine’s essence before any detail.
• focus on feel over technical terms: acidity (vibrant or soft), tannins (silky or grippy), and body (light/medium/full).
• use a few, expressive flavour indicators that come to mind: berries, citrus peel, violet, herb, spice, earth, minerality.
• highlight the texture impression on the palate: Does the wine glide, feel crisp, or coat the mouth?
• describe how the wine evolves from first sip to finish: think about intensity or delicacy.
• conclude with a simple personal assessment like “beautifully balanced,” “vibrant and refreshing,” or “deep and compelling.”

This framework gives you nuanced wine descriptors that are confident, expressive, and genuine. Reading tasting notes of accomplished writers like those referenced above can also enrich a vocabulary that is both authentic, personal, and universally accessible.

As International Women’s Day approaches, it’s natural to celebrate the many extraordinary women who have shaped the wine world. This year, though, we choose to shine a light on something different: wine language evolution. The terms “feminine” and “masculine” may once have felt evocative, useful, and irreplaceable. Today, they occupy the center of a lively debate, challenged for their bias and dwindling relevance on the one hand, championed for their immediate relatability and linguistic expression on the other.

What this conversation ultimately reveals is that wine language, like winemaking, and tasting culture, never stands still. It evolves with our values as well as our palates. By expanding to more precise descriptors, we not only express our experience more clearly – we honor the complexity of the wines we love. Perhaps that is the most fitting tribute for International Women’s Day: acknowledging that creativity, strength, and beauty can be expressed in many forms.

1. What does “feminine” mean in wine tasting?

“Feminine” traditionally describes wines with delicacy, fragrance, subtlety, and finesse rather than power or density. The term is widely debated today, with many preferring more precise, non-gendered descriptors.

2. Why are gendered wine descriptors controversial in wine lexicon?

Critics argue that “feminine” and “masculine” are outdated, biased, and imprecise. Supporters feel they offer immediate stylistic shorthand. The debate reflects the evolution of wine language and cultural attitudes.

3. What are some modern alternatives to the term “feminine” in wine?

Words like diaphanous, filigreed, aerial, tensile, perfumed, transparent, and lithe convey nuance, delicacy, and refinement without relying on gender metaphors.

4. How has wine description evolved over time?

From the romantic language of 19th-century Europe to the structured frameworks of critics like Émile Peynaud, Hugh Johnson, and Jancis Robinson MW, wine notes have shifted toward clarity, precision, and technical accuracy.

5. How can I write better wine tasting notes?

Focus on overall impression, texture, aromatics, structure, and how the wine evolves from start to finish. Use expressive but clear vocabulary and avoid overly technical jargon unless needed.

Want to read more? Take a look at some of our other blogs:

• • Raise a Glass to International Women's Day
  • Ruinart Studio: Champagne, French royalty, and fine art wine
  • Stephanie Wangui: Swapping the corkscrew for vineyard life in Burgundy