Appearance and colour

Every tasting begins with a look at the drink. Colour and its intensity, clarity or haze, brilliance and, for sparkling wines, the bubbles are assessed. A look against a white background and towards the light reveals nuances.

Colour gives clues about age, production and possible faults. Young white wines are pale yellow, for example, becoming more golden with age, and matured red wines turn browner. Unwanted haze can indicate faults, whereas in wheat beer or cloudy juices it is intended. Appearance complements nose and palate but does not replace them.