Oaky is a wine-tasting term used to describe a wine that offers flavors and other characteristics given to the wine from aging in oak barrels. ... The two terms are “Oaky” and “Buttery.” Let's look at the term Oaky first.

Is oaked wine buttery?

Oak Barrels

Many oak-aged chardonnays are described as buttery. Aging wine in oak barrels can impart soft, creamy qualities to a wine's mouthfeel, similar to that of butter, but is often more correlated with vanilla and baking spice flavors like nutmeg and clove.

Is buttery Chardonnay oaky?

The creamy texture and flavor of oaked chardonnay is a result of a natural chemical process called malolactic fermentation that happens when wine is stored in oak barrels. ... This gives oaked chardonnay its distinct buttery qualities.