Many different compounds exist in nature which are classed as "alcohols" chemically. Ethyl alcohol or ethanol is the most notable alcohol in the context of alcoholic beverages, though smaller quantities of many other alcohols are present in alcoholic beverages. For wines, alcohol doesn't just provide the kick it gives texture ("body"), flavor (roundness and sweetness) and vinosity (makes it smell and taste like wine) as well as providing balance and a certain chemical and physical stability to wines. Alcohol that is too high or out-of-balance in a drink is said to 'burn'. (Wine,Beer,Spirits,Sake,Mead/Chemistry & Flaws Tasting Terms)