Wednesday Wine 101

Q

“How can I tell if a wine is light, medium or full bodied?”

– Bonnie, recent wine tasting participant

A

When talking about the body of a wine – sometimes referred to as the weight of the wine – we’re talking about how viscous a wine can feel in your mouth. Think about water versus milk versus cream, the weights of each liquid get thicker and richer as you move up the scale. The same principal applies to wine: a Pinot Grigio, for example, is lighter in body than an oaky Chardonnay.

What increases a wine’s body, are lots of different factors including alcohol levels, glycerol, tannins, and acidity.