I mentioned in a previous post that you can tell a lot about a wine by its color. This is particularly true when evaluating a wine’s age. Once you know what colors are typical of wines at certain stages in their aging process, it can be fun to play detective and check colors for yourself. (Of course, the lazy route is to just look at the label, but this is a fun way to test yourself- and can actually give you a heads-up if something like oxidation is wrong with your wine.)
As a fun intro note, I was walking by Fine Wine Brokers in Chicago last year, and at the exact time I was studying wine color in class, they had this sign out front. Serendipitous!
As a fun intro note, I was walking by Fine Wine Brokers in Chicago last year, and at the exact time I was studying wine color in class, they had this sign out front. Serendipitous!
Anyhow. Onto the info:
White wines will range in color from anywhere from a yellowy green to a yellowy brown color. I’d say most white wines you find on your grocery store shelf will be somewhere close to the color of pale straw (deeper to paler, depending on varietal, oak usage, and other winemaking techniques.) Very young white wines will have a more greenish tinge, whereas older whites will darken in color, with some dessert wines and Madeiras having a true brown color (Madeiras undergo a heating process that essentially bakes them.)
Here’s sort of a visual of the range of white wine colors you can expect (though remember these colors are definitely more saturated and exaggerated than what you’d find in your glass.)
White wines will range in color from anywhere from a yellowy green to a yellowy brown color. I’d say most white wines you find on your grocery store shelf will be somewhere close to the color of pale straw (deeper to paler, depending on varietal, oak usage, and other winemaking techniques.) Very young white wines will have a more greenish tinge, whereas older whites will darken in color, with some dessert wines and Madeiras having a true brown color (Madeiras undergo a heating process that essentially bakes them.)
Here’s sort of a visual of the range of white wine colors you can expect (though remember these colors are definitely more saturated and exaggerated than what you’d find in your glass.)
Generally, wines that are 1-3 years old will be in the light yellow range (with younger being greener.) Dry white table wines 5+ years old will deepen into a gold or brown color. But as a general rule, this isn't what you want to see in your glass. Don’t let your white wines get that old. Drink ‘em!
Dessert and sweet wines will have a gold color and this is fine. They can age 5+ years without necessarily passing their peak. Some can age 20+ years!
If you open a young bottle of white wine and it looks brown, this could mean it got accidentally baked in transit somewhere- likely in a hot vehicle… Oops.
Red wines similarly have a varying range of color based on age. The more purple the wine, the younger it is. Reds that are less than 2 years old will often have this purpley hue. From about 2-4 years old, the wine will take on a nice dark ruby red color. This is the sign of a mature wine. Good and drinkable! The majority of the wine you find on the grocery store shelf is best consumed in this window. (Again, remember that there is room for variance here depending on varietal, so this is a generalization.)
Older wines will take on a brick red or reddish brown appearance, as our friends at the wine shop pointed out above. For many fine wines, this 5-10 year window of brick red coloring is ideal. And for a very select few (those rarities that sell for small fortunes at auction,) they may even take on a deep, rich, fully brown color.
Again, my color chart here is exaggerated, but gives you an idea of the range.
Dessert and sweet wines will have a gold color and this is fine. They can age 5+ years without necessarily passing their peak. Some can age 20+ years!
If you open a young bottle of white wine and it looks brown, this could mean it got accidentally baked in transit somewhere- likely in a hot vehicle… Oops.
Red wines similarly have a varying range of color based on age. The more purple the wine, the younger it is. Reds that are less than 2 years old will often have this purpley hue. From about 2-4 years old, the wine will take on a nice dark ruby red color. This is the sign of a mature wine. Good and drinkable! The majority of the wine you find on the grocery store shelf is best consumed in this window. (Again, remember that there is room for variance here depending on varietal, so this is a generalization.)
Older wines will take on a brick red or reddish brown appearance, as our friends at the wine shop pointed out above. For many fine wines, this 5-10 year window of brick red coloring is ideal. And for a very select few (those rarities that sell for small fortunes at auction,) they may even take on a deep, rich, fully brown color.
Again, my color chart here is exaggerated, but gives you an idea of the range.
In order to best evaluate the color of a wine, it is best to have neutral overhead lighting and to hold a plain white piece of paper behind your wine glass. Tip the glass to about a 70 degree angle (don’t slosh!) and look at the color nearest the top edge of the wine. What color is it? (And remember, everyone perceives color differently, so there’s no 100% right answer.)
Now, go forth! Impress your friends with your super-sleuth skills!
Did you know?
In blind tastings, wines are often presented under dim lighting in black glasses. This is because judges can sometimes make accidental educated assumptions about a wine based on its color, before they even take a sip... Sneaky!
Now, go forth! Impress your friends with your super-sleuth skills!
Did you know?
In blind tastings, wines are often presented under dim lighting in black glasses. This is because judges can sometimes make accidental educated assumptions about a wine based on its color, before they even take a sip... Sneaky!
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