The Wine Color Encyclopedia

Wine tasting is a multisensory experience that often leaves us at a loss for words, especially when it comes to describing the color of a wine. The visual aspect of wine tasting is critical, yet it's common for enthusiasts to mix up color tones, use incorrect terminology, or simply lack the appropriate word to describe a wine's hue. This comprehensive guide aims to be a handy reference for anyone looking to articulate the often subtle and varied colors found in wines.

The Spectrum of Wine Colors: Terms and Descriptions

1. Wax/Metalic: This term is used for white wines with very pale, almost metallic or wax-like hues. It indicates youth in a wine, as yellow tones typically deepen over time, evolving into golden reflections.
2. Yellow: A hallmark color of white wines, where reflections may vary from greenish, straw-like, acerado, lemon, to golden. Despite these variations, the primary color is always yellow.
3. Tile: This term describes the tile or brick-like color of aged red wines.
4. White: The color of wines made from white grapes (blanc de blancs) or red grapes (blanc de noirs).
5. Cardinal: A purple hue characteristic of red grape varieties.
6. Carmine: A distinctive color of young red wines.
7. Bright Rose: A lightly colored red wine, typically a blend of white and red grapes, with skins present during fermentation. It is also a term for local rosé wines in some areas of Castilla and León.
8. Golden: A color found in certain white or fortified wines, reminiscent of gold. It is especially notable in the aging wines.
9. Garnet: A color typical of aged red wines.
10. Cherry: A hue that lies between red and rosé wines.
11. Orange: Refers to the glints and reflections in evolved rosé wines.
12. Deep rose: A wine darker than rosé but not as dark as red.
13. Gold: A yellow tint found in some white wines, often those aged in barrels, slightly aged, or late-harvest wines.
14. Oxidized: Describes a wine irreversibly altered by excessive air contact, evident in the accelerated evolution of its color.
15. Straw: A yellow tone in wines. A shade of yellow, lighter, seen in less intense white wines.
16. Pale: A very light yellow hue in white wines.
17. Rim: The edge of the wine, which lightens when the glass is tilted, offering clues about the wine's type and age.
18. Red: The basic color of red wines, derived from anthocyanins.
19. Pink/Rosé: The basic color of rosé wines.
20. Ruby: A red hue resembling the gemstone, often found in aged wines.
21. Violet: A hue present in some young wines.
22. Iodine/Tile: A color appearing as a rim in many aged wines.

Understanding the language of wine colors enhances the appreciation of wine tasting. This guide provides a vocabulary that ranges from the light, almost transparent hues of young white wines to the deep, complex tones of aged reds. Whether a novice or a connoisseur, having these terms at your fingertips can enrich your wine tasting experiences and help you communicate your perceptions with greater clarity and precision.