What Colour is Red Wine?

[ronberntson]

So, after putting away some Pinot Grigio for my wife, I’m putting down my first reds for me. I have four different reds approaching completion, but I’m wondering what they should look like. Here’s my current notes:

1. Ken Ridge Showcase Argentina Malbec – opaque red, great taste.

2. Cheeky Monkey Italian Valpolicellal – ruby color, very dry – slightly woody.

3, Ken Ridge Classic Vieux Chateau du Roi – somewhat opaque – muddy. Okay taste.

4. Ken Ridge Founder’s Series Supertuscan – muddy opaque – taste’s great.

Are some reds opaque? Or should I be racking the Malbec, Chateau du Roi and Supertuscan some additional times?

thanks
Ron

 

[Wade E]

Each will have variations of red to almost pitch black. It all depends on what grapes were used and also the amount of oaking. A Pinot Noir will usually be lighter red while a Tuscan or bigger red wine will be darker. Nebbioli and Tannat and also Cab Franc are generally added to give some wines a darker color.

 

[EdwardLongshanks]

You say it is muddy. Is this before, or after adding the clearing agents and letting it sit for a week or 2? I made a Kenridge Classic Cabernet/Shiraz and it was a very dark red, but held up to a lamp in a wineglass it was crystal clear. I also made a KRC Cabernet Sauvingnon and it was a lighter red, but also very clear when held up to a lamp. This was before I bottled them. I wouldn't bottle anything that is muddy. As a side not the KR cab/shiraz took about 3 months before It started to get drinkable and now at 4 months is pretty good. It's very oaky. I bottled the cab/sauv just over a month ago and haven't tried it yet. Good luck they all sound like they will be great wines.

 

[Flem]

I agree with the above. If the wine is still "muddy" or opaque, it's not ready for bottling. Patience, my friend!

 

[ronberntson]

What colour is red wine

I put in the clearing agents just a couple of days ago. I'm used to the whites, which clear quite quickly. I'll assume that "muddy" just isn't right - that you should get some kind of colour. Therefore, I'll be waiting and watching.

Thanks for your advice.

Ron