What aromas do terpenes give?

• A. Floral, citrus, grapey
• B. Earthy and spicy
• C. Herbal and grassy
• D. Nutty and buttery

Answer: (A)

Terpenes are a group of volatile compounds that give many aromatic notes in wines, especially from grape skins and aromatic varieties. The most characteristic terpenes produce floral scents (like linalool giving a flowery perfume, geraniol for rose notes) and citrusy scents (limonene and related compounds). They can also contribute grape-like, fruity aromas in wines with strong terpene profiles, which is why grapey notes are associated with terpenes in certain varieties. In contrast, earthy and spicy notes tend to come from other compounds, herbal and grassy aromas come mainly from methoxypyrazines, and nutty or buttery tones come from oak aging and fermentation byproducts. So floral, citrus, and grapey best reflect terpene aromas.