Wine color analysis

I. The meaning of wine color

The color of a wine can be used to determine how rich or lean a wine is, and it can also be used to determine a wine’s cellaring potential. For example, if a Syrah has a blue rim, it has low acidity, which also means that the wine has a high cellaring capacity. Acidity is one of the main factors in a wine’s ability to age. As you can see, learning to read the color of a wine plays an important role in your wine tasting. Let’s get to know the color of wine next.

II. The color of red wine

1. Light-bodied red wines

Light-bodied red wines usually have higher acidity and lower tannin content, and range in color from magenta to garnet, for example, Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, Zweigelt, and Gamay.

2. Medium-bodied red wines

Medium-bodied reds usually have medium strength acidity and tannins. The wines are complex and varied in color, including Merlot, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel.

3. Heavy-bodied red wines

Heavy-bodied red wines usually have high tannin content and slightly lower acidity. These wines are highly extracted and have low clarity, such as Syrah, Malbec, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon.

4. Red wines from older vintages

When a red wine has passed its peak, it turns a dark brown color. Many wines that have been kept for more than 20 years have changed little in color. Merlot and Nebbiolo are more likely to have a brick red color than other grape varieties. Wines with a blue rim, like Syrah, indicate a higher pH, which means lower acidity.

5. The color of rosé wines

Rosé wines are made from regular red grape varieties such as Mourvèdre, but are made with a shorter maceration time, so the color of the wine is very light, and rosé wines range in color from pale salmon red (Pinot Noir) to magenta (Grenache).

Three, the color of white wines

1. Light-bodied white wines

The color of light-bodied white wines ranges from colorless to light greenish-yellow. Most of these types of wines are suitable for drinking young and chilled, such as Pinot Grigio, Albarino, Vinho Verde, and Muscadet.

2. Medium-bodied white wines

The majority of white wines are medium-bodied whites that have a light golden color, such as Sauvignon Blanc, unoaked Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.

3. Heavy-bodied white wines

White wines can get their color both from the artesian juice of red varieties such as Pinot Noir and from the highly extracted white varieties. Often these wines have lower acidity and are barrel aged to add creamy and vanilla notes to the wine, such as Chardonnay, Viognier and Marssanne.

4. Older white wines

Few white wines can be aged for more than 12 years. Older vintages of white wines lose their color and become darker with the passage of time. Because white wines are very sensitive to light, they turn brick red in color over time.

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