Sarsaparilla root?

I was reading a wine description that included this. I don't think I have ever tasted a sarsaparilla root. What am I missing? What does this occur in? And if it does occur in wine what causes it and is it a virtue or a flaw? Any sarsaparilla fans out there?

I've had sarsaparilla root beer, but long ago. My impression is that sarsaparilla is pretty similar to sassafras. Not something I can really remember encountering in a wine (more likely in a chinato or the like), but flavor descriptors are pretty personal.

I've had sarsaparilla root beer, but long ago. My impression is that sarsaparilla is pretty similar to sassafras. Not something I can really remember encountering in a wine (more likely in a chinato or the like), but flavor descriptors are pretty personal.

Yes, chinato sounds like a good candidate for these notes.

I could also see people using it as a descriptor for some pinot noir, when they verge on the cola/clove/vanilla elements, which would all be a negative to me!

[Jenise]

Root beer! (Which I have found occasionally in wine, but not frequently nor have my citings been specific to any particular grape or place).