Decoding the Language of Wine: Colour and Appearance.
Welcome to the first blog in a series aimed at clarifying the often complex language used by wine writers, sommeliers, and educators. Deciphering wine descriptors can be challenging for the average drinker. In this post, I'll focus on interpreting the appearance and colour descriptions commonly applied to wine. Whether you're a seasoned sommelier or an enthusiastic wine lover, this vocabulary guide will enhance your appreciation of wine's visual aspects. Let's demystify these descriptive terms together and bring confidence to your wine-tasting experience!
Clarity: Level of clearness and absence of visible particles or sediment in the wine. A wine with high clarity appears transparent and pristine, allowing light to pass through without any haziness or cloudiness. Clarity is an important aspect, as it often indicates proper filtration and handling during the winemaking process.
Light: A pale and delicate colour. It suggests a wine with lower colour intensity, often seen in certain white wines, rosés, or lighter-bodied reds.
Pale: Displays a very light and almost transparent colour. This term is often used for white wines or rosés that have minimal pigmentation, resulting in a delicate and faint hue.
Mid-Depth: Colour intensity that falls between light and dark. It suggests a moderate concentration of colour and can be an indication of a balanced and approachable wine.
Deep: Colour intensity is notably concentrated and saturated. Deep wines display a bold, intense, and concentrated colour, usually indicating a wine with significant body and potential for aging.
Dark: Exhibits a profound and dense colour, leaning towards the darker end of the colour spectrum. The depth of colour suggests a wine with substantial extraction and typically indicates a wine that may be rich and full-bodied.
Brilliant: Exceptional clarity and brightness in its colour. The term "brilliant" suggests a radiant and shimmering appearance when light is reflected, showcasing a well-defined hue without any dullness or murkiness. This type of wine is visually appealing and often associated with high-quality craftsmanship.
Bright: Wine characterised by its vivid and lively colour. It appears vibrant and full of energy, reflecting light with intensity and showcasing rich and distinct hues. The brightness of a wine is often an indicator of its freshness and youthfulness.
Limpid: Absolute clarity and transparency. It is a term used to describe a wine that appears crystal clear, without any visible sediments, cloudiness, or haziness.
Translucent: Allowing some light to pass through but not to the extent of complete clarity. This term is often used when a wine has a delicate and somewhat ethereal appearance.
Flushed: Hint of redness or pinkish hue in its colour. This term is more commonly used when talking about white or rosé wines that have subtle tinges of red or pink shades, which may result from minimal skin contact during winemaking.
Opaque: Lacks transparency and allows very little, if any, light to pass through. Such wines are exceptionally dense and concentrated in colour, typically seen in deeply coloured red wines, especially those made from thick-skinned grape varieties.
Dull: Lacklustre appearance, often lacking brightness or vibrancy in its colour. It might appear flat or muted, indicating a wine that might be past its prime or lacking in freshness.
Cloudy: Visible haziness or suspended particles, usually due to incomplete clarification or filtration. Cloudiness can be a sign of a wine that needs decanting or further settling.
Viscosity: Thickness or consistency of the wine, often visible as "legs" or "tears" running down the sides of the glass after swirling. The alcohol and sugar content influences it in the wine. The higher viscosity may indicate a wine with more body and potential for a rich mouthfeel.