Alcohol In Wine

Alcohol in wine, especially red wine seems to be getting higher. It used to be that 12 percent alcohol in red wine was high. Now alcohol can be as high as 14 percent and many wines are now averaging 13.5 percent in red wine.

Can global warming be a factor or are winemakers pushing the envelope?

More Alcohol In Red Wine Than White Wine?

Red grapes are harvested when ripe which is determined by the Brix level. The sugar then turns to alcohol during fermentation.

Based on winemaking procedures and the physiology of grapes, the levels of alcohol can vary greatly in both red wine and white wine.

How Does Alcohol Taste?

The level of alcohol definitely affects the taste of the wine. When you drink a glass of wine do you ever taste a warm or hot feeling? Sometimes in a white wine you may taste a bitterness. You are tasting the alcohol -- or you can say that the Mouthfeel of the wine is hot or bitter.

If you swirl a glass of wine did you notice the "legs" or "tears" slowly dripping down the glass back into the wine? This too is a sign of the alcohol content.

Wine Labels and Alcohol

In the U.S. there are regulations as to the required information to be included on wine labels. The percentage of alcohol in a wine is displayed on the label but it is more of an approximate than an accurate percentage.

The law allows a 1.5 percent leeway. That translates to allowing the percentages to read 12 percent even if the wine was as little at 10.5 percent or as much as 13.5 percent.

By law, labels include specific information so consumers can be well informed.

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