What Factors Influence the Colour of Wine?

To any sommelier or wine lover, what is most appreciated about this soft nectar is the colour of the wine. That is why today we are going to tell everything that influences how to give it that characteristic tone of the fruity drink.

How does the colour of grapes affect wine?

There is a wide range of wine shades, from cherry to garnet hue. While it’s true that, in the eyes of someone inexperienced, only true gourmets of this drink know that you have to appreciate the drink for its aroma, its taste, but, above all, for its colour.

Whether the grape affects the colour of red or white wines, what causes the tonality are the phenolic compounds or anthocyanins.

These substances from the fruit that pass into the must and thus into the wine during fermentation, affecting what the colour of the wine will be.

How does barrel ageing affect it?

Ageing in the barrel is the main process to make the tone evolve. It is therefore the younger wines that have not gone through this process, whose tone is more intense.

On the other hand, when it comes to a crianza, it gets that micro-oxygenation so that the tonality of the wine colour becomes red or cherry hue.

That is why, to know what the ageing process is through the colour of the wine, the less intensity you have,the older the wine.

What else affects the colour of wine?

The colours of white and red wines, in addition to the ageing process,there are also other factors that influence the tonalities:

The origin of the grape

Since the shade of the wine colour depends somewhat on anthocyanins, its concentration will vary depending on the grape. That is, not all grape colours are the same, and the concentration of it also varies. This will directly influence the colour and that is why the Denomination of Origin is so important.

Some of the favourites such as Ribeiro or Rías Baixas have a high quality thanks to their way of cultivation given the climatic conditions.

Characteristics of the vintage

That is, depending on the year in which it was made, you will get a wine colour or another. Therefore the age of wine influences as much as the price as to one shade or another you will get. Obviously there are very good young wines, but a good sommelier will opt for a more mature one.

The climate and its vinification process

Once again, the Denomination of Origin is of great importance. That is why before acquiring this drink, we recommend that you look at where the grape variety comes from. Depending on the location, you will get a taste, smell or tone. 

Where it has been preserved

Depending on whether it has been stored in a kitchen cabinet exposed to various weather conditions or in a suitable place for it, it will also affect the wine colour. It is for this reason that lovers of the drink have a special place to preserve all its flavour.

The light

Remember to always store the bottles in a dark, cool and dry place, since the rays of solar light can vary the tonality.

As you can see, not the only influences are the colours of the grapes, but other factors must be taken into account. It is clear that the Denomination of Origin is of great importance. But how we store and its age is a factor that directly influences it as well.

It is clear that the colour of the wine is one of the important parts, but you must never leave aside its taste, aroma and strength.