Checking the Colour and Clarity

You need to be creative and look beyond red, rose or white colours when looking at wine. Observe what you see when you tilt a wine-filled glass away from you. Look at the liquid from the rim to the middle of the goblet. If it is red wine, try to determine if it is ruby, crimson, garnet, maroon or brick. These deep reds suggest maturity. Tones of blue and purple, though, suggest youth and a lot of astringent tannins.

Ruby colour red wine

On the other hand, young, dry white wine can be very clear, light green or pale yellow. Golden, straw or amber shades mean that the wine is mature and possibly possesses a nectar-like taste. Usually, when the colour is orangey or nearly brown, it has been fermented using dried grapes instead of fresh, ripe ones. Sediments in the liquid suggests that the wine has undergone much ageing. Then give the glass a swirl and take a look. Is the drink opaque, unable to reflect light? Or is it translucent? The latter is a sign of a truly good quality of wine.