The length of the finish – sometimes called the aftertaste – is measured in seconds from the moment you swallow until the flavours disappear. A short finish lasts under five seconds; a medium finish ten to fifteen seconds; a long finish can last thirty seconds or more. A longer finish is generally a sign of quality. Complexity means the wine offers several layers of flavour and aroma that evolve during drinking – a quality rarely found in simple wines but central to great wines. Complex wines can also change noticeably in the glass over tens of minutes as they breathe. Length and complexity are the two concepts that most clearly distinguish an outstanding wine from a well-made but ordinary one.