Learn With Brad - Do You Know Why Red Wines Have Different Colours?
Red wines are renowned for their vibrant hues, ranging from light ruby reds to deep, almost purple shades. The variation in colour depends on several factors, with the grape variety, winemaking techniques, and age of the wine all playing a significant role.
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Grape Variety
Different grape varieties naturally produce wines with different colours. For instance, Pinot Noir often yields a lighter, more transparent red, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah typically produce deep, intense reds. This is because of the different amounts of anthocyanins (the pigments that give wine its colour) present in the grape skins.
Skin Contact
The longer the grape skins remain in contact with the juice during fermentation, the darker the wine will be. Full-bodied wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec often undergo extended maceration, which extracts more colour, tannins, and flavour compounds from the skins. In contrast, wines like Pinot Noir are typically fermented with less skin contact, resulting in a lighter colour.
Wine Age
As red wines age, their colour naturally changes. Young red wines are usually vibrant and rich, with shades of purple, ruby, and bright red. As they mature, the wine undergoes chemical changes that cause the anthocyanins to break down. Older red wines often take on more brick-red or brownish hues, especially in wines with high tannin content. This is part of the ageing process, which can add complexity and soften the wine’s flavours.
Oak Ageing
When red wines are aged in oak barrels, the influence of the wood can also impact the colour. Oak ageing tends to soften the colour slightly, especially in wines that are aged for a long time. The wood’s interaction with the wine can also impart additional flavours, but the primary effect on colour is often subtle.
Winemaking Techniques
Different winemakers use various techniques that can affect the colour. Some may choose to ferment at lower temperatures to preserve the vibrant hues, while others might opt for techniques that result in deeper colours. Additionally, winemaking regions and climates can influence the style of wine, with cooler climates often producing lighter wines and warmer climates producing darker, richer reds.
In essence, the colour of red wine is a reflection of both nature and nurture—from the grape variety and vineyard conditions to the winemaker’s decisions. Each red wine’s colour tells a story about its origins, style, and the journey it has taken from vine to glass.
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