Cloves

clou de girofle, giroflier (F)

clove (GB)

clavo (ES)

eugenia caryophyllata (I)

kruidnagel (N)

cravo-da-índia (PO)

Name (also known as cloves or spice nails) for the intensely fragrant and pungent-tasting dried flower buds of the clove tree, originally native to the Indonesian archipelago of the Moluccas (Spice Islands). The evergreen tree can grow to a height of more than ten metres. The name is derived from the shape of the buds, which are reminiscent of nails, and the clove-like odour. The substance that produces the flavour is eugenol. In the context of a wine description, it is used to describe the typical and very pleasant flavour of a wine. The smell of cinnamon, cloves or clove oil is reminiscent of mulled wine or Christmas baking. The flavour is typical of wines fermented in oak or aged in barriques. An aroma of cloves is also typical when the wine defect horse sweat is less pronounced, which is then perceived as positive. See also under flavourings.

Gewürznelken - Baum, getrocknete Gewürznelken

Picture left: By Franz Eugen Köhler, List of Koehler Images, Public domain, Link
Image on the right: CC BY 2.5, Link

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Cloves

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