Recognizing the colour of your wine will help you to recognize the type and its intensity before you taste it. This technique is a critical element if conducting a blind tasting. It helps you to determine a wine’s quality and vintage. The listing below provides a standardized list of colours and shades for various white wines.

When assessing the colour of your wine it is best to examine it in bright, diffused, natural light with a white background. The colour is best viewed at the point where the wine meets the glass.

Straw

Pale – Vinko Verde, Muscadet, Verdejo

Medium – Young Riesling, Torrontés, Moscato

Deep – Albariño, Verdicchio

Yellow

Pale – Albariño, Grϋner Veltliner,

Medium – Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon, Vermentino

Deep – Sauternes, Aged Riesling

Gold

Pale – Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris

Medium – Viognier, Verdejo

Deep – Chardonnay, Aged White Rioja

Brown

Pale – Aged Whites

Medium -White Tawny Port

Amber

Pale – White Port

Medium – Tokaji, Vin Santo

Deep – Vin Santo

Copper

Pale – Pinot Gris

Medium – Pinot Gris

Salmon

Pale – White Zinfandel

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