Which term describes the aroma evolution that occurs with age, such as earthiness, nuttiness, and leather?

• A. Benign aromas.
• B. Primary aromas.
• C. Tertiary aromas.
• D. Secondary aromas.

Answer: (C)

A wine’s aromas evolve as it ages, and earthy, nutty, and leather notes are classic examples of tertiary aromas. These develop during extended aging—whether in bottle or through oak contact—through slow chemical changes and interactions with oxygen that create new aroma compounds. They’re distinct from primary aromas, which come from the grape variety and are usually most evident in younger wines, and from secondary aromas, which originate from winemaking and fermentation. So the term that describes aroma evolution with age is tertiary aromas.