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For tasting purposes, it is ideal to use a clear-colored wine glass with a wide bowl and narrow mouth. (Look for future blogs on the “anatomy of a wine glass”.) Be sure to clean all traces of dirt or detergent before beginning. (yuck!) When looking at wine it is best to use natural light if possible. You can even use a white sheet of paper behind your glass for more accuracy. So, let’s have a look at what you can determine by holding a glass of wine.
The viscosity of a wine, also known as “legs” or “tears”, can be determined by looking at the tipping the wine glass to the side and watching how the wine slides down the side. A prominent teardrop is indicative of a high sugar or alcohol content (or both).
The clarity of a wine is important. If a wine appears cloudy, it may be because it is unfiltered or perhaps it is just some disturbed sediment. However, it often can signify a fault in the wine and it may taste a little off. If a wine is “corked”, meaning it is tainted, it will often appear cloudy and may have aromas of moldy newspaper, wet dog, damp cloth, or damp basement. (blah!) Don’t bother even tasting a wine that appears to be “corked”.
Things to look for in a quality wine
- Defined edge, which doesn’t fade at the rim
- Clear and bright
- Abundant bubbles (for sparkling)
Now, let’s talk about color…
Looking at White Wines
White wines may range from nearly colorless to deep gold. Most are a light straw yellow, darkening with age. Generally, pale wines are from cooler climates and darker wines are from warmer climates. An exception to this rule may be dessert wines that have “noble rot” (a good thing!), and oak-aged whites.
Water white- often Sauvignon Blanc or Reisling
Lemon yellow- often Chardonnay (or sparkling if there are bubbles)
Yellow gold- often oak-aged Chardonnay or Gewurtztraminer
Old gold- often a late harvest dessert wine (Semillon, Chardonnay, Muscat, Reisling)
Looking at Red Wines
The color of red wine can range from pink to almost black. The difference in color is largely due to the grape variety, but can also factor in region or age. In contrast to whites, reds lighten with age: the browner and paler the rim, the more mature the wine.
Light orange/red- often Pinot Noir or Grenache
Garnet- often Gamay Beaujolais
Purple- often Zinfandel (Primitivo), Tempranillo, or blended red
Almost black- often Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
*Adapted from "101 Essential Wine Tips" by Tom Stevenson
