A staff training infographic worth 1,000 words

You would never guess from the way it is hidden on wine labels , but there is a simple variable in the fine print that tells you more about how a wine will taste than its grape variety : alcohol content .

In wines that are still and dry — i . e . most modern wines — alcohol content is more or less a direct reflection of the sugar content of the grapes . And since grape sugar develops in tandem with many other key wine components as part of the fruit-ripening process — including flavor , tannin and color compounds — a wine ’ s final alcohol content correlates well enough to many wine traits to serve as a ballpark-style indicator .

Essentially , grapes that receive more sun become riper , which increases their alcohol content , as well as their overall sensory impact on multiple levels . Alcohol acts as a scent- and flavor-booster in wine , just as it does in perfumes or liqueurs , and also enriches the mouthfeel . As a result , the higher a wine falls above 14 % alcohol , the more likely it is to seem richer and heavier with more concentrated and dessert-like flavors . The farther below this threshold a wine falls , the more likely it is to feel lighter and more refreshing , with milder , fresher flavors and more elevated levels of balancing acidity . BD

LIGHTER WHITES AND BUBBLES NEED LESS SUNSHINE White wines , sparkling wines and light-bodied wines often hail from places that are cooler and cloudier , since too much sunshine will reduce a wine ’ s refreshing qualities . Vintners will often harvest fruit early to preserve acidity and suppress excess alcohol .

HEAVIER RED WINES AND FORTIFIED WINES NEED MORE SUNSHINE Red grapes need more sunshine and warmth , so red wines and other full-bodied styles tend to come from places that are very sunny and warm . To maximize ripeness and flavor potential , vintners often let the fruit hang on the vine for as long as possible .

MARNIE OLD is one of the country ’ s leading wine educators . Formerly the director of wine studies for Manhattan ’ s French Culinary Institute , she is best known for her visually engaging books published by DK such as Wine : A Tasting Course . Marnie currently serves as director of vinlightenment for Boisset Collection .

8 Beverage Dynamics • January 2023 www . beveragedynamics . com