What Does Minerality Mean in Wine? Why I Prefer to Call It 'Salty'...

If you've ever heard someone describe a wine as mineral and wondered what they actually meant, you're not alone.

Minerality is one of the most common—and most confusing—terms in wine.

You'll hear people say a wine tastes of wet stones, flint or chalk. While those descriptions might make sense to experienced wine drinkers, they don't help most people choose a bottle they'll actually enjoy.

So I keep it simple.

I call these wines salty.

Not because they literally taste like salt, but because they have a fresh, savoury, mouthwatering quality that makes you instantly want another sip.

What Does Minerality Mean in Wine?

There isn't one universally agreed-upon definition of minerality, which is why it causes so much confusion.

When people describe a wine as mineral, they're usually talking about wines that feel:

• Crisp and refreshing

• Mouthwatering

• Savoury rather than fruity

• Clean, fresh and energetic

For me, "salty" is simply a more relatable way of describing that style.

Think about adding a pinch of salt to your chips. It doesn't make them taste salty—it makes everything taste better.

That's exactly what these wines do.

They lift the fruit, sharpening its freshness and leaving you reaching for another sip.

Why I Love Salty Wines

One of my favourite ways to describe these wines is liquid geography.

They taste unmistakably of where they come from.

You're tasting the climate, the coastline, the soils and the landscape—not just the grape variety.

Whether that's volcanic vineyards overlooking the Aegean Sea, limestone hills in northern Italy or Atlantic-influenced vineyards in northwest Spain, these wines have a real sense of place.

My Favourite Salty Wines

Assyrtiko – Santorini, Greece

If there was one grape that defines salty wines, it's Assyrtiko.

Expect lemon, citrus peel, incredible freshness and a savoury finish that makes it one of the world's great food wines.

Albariño – Galicia, Spain

Grown close to the Atlantic Ocean, Albariño combines citrus and stone fruit with a delicious saline freshness that pairs beautifully with seafood.

Chablis – Burgundy, France

Made from Chardonnay, Chablis is known for its precision, freshness and elegant citrus character. If you love crisp white wines, it's hard to beat.

Soave Classico – Veneto, Italy

One of Italy's most underrated white wines, Soave Classico is made primarily from the Garganega grape. The best examples combine citrus, white peach and almond with a subtle savoury, almost salty finish. Wines from the volcanic hills of the Classico zone have a beautiful tension and freshness that make them incredibly food-friendly.

White Wines from Roussillon – France

Often overlooked, the best white wines from Roussillon combine Mediterranean fruit with freshness and a wonderfully savoury finish.

Where to Buy Salty Wines

You don't need to spend a fortune to discover this style. Here are a few bottles worth looking out for:

• Tesco Finest Greek Assyrtiko – Crisp, citrus-driven with a mouthwatering finish. A brilliant introduction to Assyrtiko.

• Tesco Finest Viñas del Rey Albariño – Bright grapefruit, mandarin and stone fruit with refreshing acidity.

• Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Albariño – One of the UK's best-value Albariños and widely available.

• Inama Carbonare Soave Classico DOC 2022 – One of my favourite expressions of Soave, showing vibrant citrus, white flowers, mineral freshness and a wonderfully savoury finish. If you want to understand what I mean by a "salty" wine, this is a fantastic place to start.

If you're looking for Chablis, most major supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Morrisons, stock several options. Even an entry-level Chablis will usually deliver that crisp, mouthwatering style that makes the region so famous.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to remember words like flint, chalk or wet stones to enjoy wine.

If you like white wines that are crisp, savoury and make your mouth water, you probably like what wine professionals call minerality.

I just call them salty wines.

It's simpler, it's easier to understand, and most importantly—it helps you find wines you'll actually love.

Elizabeth Hawthornthwaite