The spice flavors in wine are mostly from aging in oak.
The spice flavors in wine are mostly from aging in oak. The most common oak aromas are vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. While you may love those notes in red wine, you might find that they become repellent in white wine. This has led to a rise in “unoaked” wines, especially white wines like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.