One of the main ways to understand and discuss wine is by knowing a wine’s body. Being upstanding ladies and gentlemen, we would normally never speak about the body of the wine. However, when it comes to wine, talking about the body is not a discussion of shapeliness but an analysis of how wine feels inside our mouths.
What is the Wine Body by Definition? Talking about the wine body, it is not a discussion of shapeliness but an analysis of how wine feels inside our mouth. Wine body breaks down into three main groups: light body, medium body, and entire body. While various factors can lead to the body of the wine, the main factor is alcohol. Because of this and knowing the influence that alcohol has on the body of a wine, it is an excellent trick to help you quickly understand what category of body the wine you are consuming will fall under.
Let us understand a bit about the attributes of full-bodied wines:
1. Having a Higher Alcohol Content
One main characteristic that sets these wine types apart is the higher alcohol content. This can range from 13.5% to 15% or even higher.
Likewise, higher alcohol content usually results from more extended fermentation periods and aging processes, thus intensifying the wine flavors. This leads to a more robust and bold taste with a fuller mouthfeel. The higher alcohol also offers these wines a longer finish, hence allowing the flavors to linger longer on the palate.
2. Have a Deep, Dark Color
Full-bodied red wines are famous for their robust and rich flavors. This is often attributed to their deep, dark color. These wines are manufactured from dark and intense grape varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec.
The deep color of this wine variety is pleasing visually and works as a critical characteristic that indicates a higher concentration of tannins and polyphenols.
A deeper color can also be an indication of a longer aging process. This ensures that the wine develops more depth and intensity.
3. High Tannin Content
Tannins are the polyphenol type found in grape skins, stems, and seeds and are responsible for offering red wines their astringency and bitter taste. Wines with high tannin content usually provide a bold, intense flavor profile with a dry, mouth-puckering finish.
These tannins are also responsible for the wine’s structure and texture, giving it a chewy and robust mouthfeel. This also ensures the preservation of the wine and hence improves its aging potential.
4. Full of Rich Flavors and Aromas
Full-bodied red wines are famous for their bold, robust flavors and intense aromas. These characteristics result from the grapes used in the winemaking process and how well they are aged.
Generally, full-bodied red wines are manufactured from grapes with thicker skins. These wines are also often aged in oak barrels, which adds additional layers of flavor and aroma, much like the vanilla, spices, and toasted notes.
The combination of these critical characteristics results in a wine full of rich and concentrated flavors, along with attractive aromas that linger in the mouth palate.
5. More Complex Taste
Full-bodied red wines are famous for their complex taste. This originates from various aspects like the grape variety, terroir, aging process, and winemaking techniques.
This complexity in taste makes full-bodied red wines much more prevalent among wine enthusiasts. When wine tasting, one can expect a wider range of flavors that tend to evolve and linger on the palate. This ranges from intense dark fruit notes to savory spices and earthy undertones.
This complexity adds depth and dimension to the wine, making it a pleasure to savor and explore with every sip.
Grape Varieties Associated with Full-Bodied Wines
The Grape variety has much to offer to the flavor and the final result of the Full-bodied wines. Let us take a look at some of the top types:
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
Bordeaux wines were the first to make the French variety famous. Nevertheless, the Cabernet Sauvignon can now be enjoyed worldwide. This also includes regions like China and Lebanon. This is a rich, full-bodied red wine grape with deep flavor and aroma.
2. Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux’s “other” variety, usually overshadows this grape variety, which offers outstanding, aged wines. Nothing is more boisterous or refined than the flavors of the cherry fruits in Merlot.
3. Airén
Likewise, the Airén grape variety is usually found in the Castilla-La Mancha region located in Spain. Here, the vines are planted far apart to cope with the arid climate. It is not a grape found in the common parlance in the UK, but it is known to be the third most planted grape in the world.
4. Chardonnay
This variety is originally from Burgundy, which is located in France. This wine is aged in oak barrels or barriques. The oak-aging process makes Chardonnay one of the boldest wines in the world.
5. Tempranillo
Tempranillo is the most widely cultivated and also the most coveted red grape variety in Spain. In addition to its rosé and red varieties, it is best known for its most popular regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
6. Syrah, also known as Shiraz.
This is Originally from the Northern Rhone region of France. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most famous wines in Australia.
7. Sauvignon Blanc
The French word ‘Sauvignon’ means ‘wild’ or ‘untamed. This describes the white grapevines found around the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. As the Cabernet Sauvignon’s parent grape, the Sauvignon Blanc is growing to be more widely recognized as a brilliant grape for winemaking.
8. Trebbiano Toscano
This is another grape that tops the Italian wine list and is mainly used to manufacture Balsamic vinegar or French brandy. This grape variety is also called ‘Ugni Blanc’ in Cognac.
9. Pinot Noir
This red wine grape variety is soon growing to be popular globally. It is also well-known for its red fruit flavors and floral aromas. France, Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand, and England are the most preferred climates.
10. Garnacha or Grenache
The Red wine from Garnacha comprises the high-toned aromas of red and blackberries. Where the grape lacks tannin, however, it makes up for it with zingy acidity and elevated alcohol content. This grape variety blends wonderfully well with Syrah, Monastrell/Mouvedre/Mataro.
When it comes to a better understanding of the wine grapes, you simply do not have to know every variety available. A better understanding of these ten popular types of grapes will offer you a good stead. This is to be able to join in with conversation wherever you might be in the world.
Factors Influencing Full-Bodied Wines
Let us take a look at some of the prime factors that influence the full-bodied wines:
Grape Variety
This is one of the main factors when it comes to determining the taste of wine, that is, the grape variety. Different grape varieties contain different sugar levels, acidity, and tannins. All this contributes to the flavor of the wine. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine with high tannin levels. Meanwhile, the Chardonnay is a lighter-bodied wine that comprises more fruit-forward flavors.
It is the terroir or the specific environmental conditions of a region, that tends to play an important role when it comes to taste. Likewise, the climate and soil of a region can also affect the grapes’ ripeness, flavor, and color. This, in turn, affects the taste of the wine. For instance, warm climates produce wines with higher alcohol levels, while cooler temperatures produce wines with acidity.
Winemaking Techniques
The other important factor that can greatly influence the flavor and the taste of wine is the winemaking process. This ranges from the yeast type that is used in the fermentation process to the type of barrels used for aging and winemaking techniques. All this can greatly affect the aroma, flavor, and body of the wine.
For example, using oak barrels for aging can add vanilla and spice flavors to the wine. Also, using stainless steel tanks can help preserve the pure fruit flavors of the wine. The duration of time a wine is aged can also greatly impact its flavor. For example, red wines are often aged for various years in oak barrels; this adds complexity and further depth to the flavor.
The type of yeast used during fermentation can also have an important impact on the taste of the wine. The Different yeasts can hence produce different flavors like fruity, floral, or spicy. This can greatly influence the overall taste of the wine.
Climate and Soil Conditions
The climate and soil conditions of the vineyard have a major influence when it comes to the taste of the wine. The soil type in which the grapevines are grown can greatly affect the flavor of the wine. Clay soils produce wines high in fruit flavors, whereas limestone soils produce wines with more mineral flavors.
The climate of the vineyard also greatly affects the taste of the wine. For instance, warm climates produce wines that are high in alcohol levels, while cooler climates produce wines that are high in acidity. The amount of sunlight and rainfall a vineyard receives also greatly influences the flavor and taste of the wine.
Wine Aging
The aging process is yet another main factor when it comes to determining the taste of the wine. The Wines can also be aged in bottles, barrels, or tanks, and the length of time. As they are aged, this can greatly affect the flavor. For instance, red wines are generally aged for quite a few years in oak barrels, which adds complexity and depth to the flavor. Likewise, white wines are generally not aged for as long and have to be consumed young.
Also, the aging vessel type can affect the taste of the wine. For example, oak barrels add vanilla and spice flavors to the wine. Meanwhile, stainless steel tanks help preserve the pure fruit flavors of the wine.
How to Identify Full-Bodied Wines?
When it comes to the full-bodied wine variety, when it comes to the tasting term, the references lie in the heaviness of a wine. This means that it feels thick and dense in the mouth. The tasting term implies how the wine feels in your mouth instead of the taste when it comes to the other terms.
Here are a few aspects you can look for on the wine bottle:
- Alcohol Level: Wines that are above 14% alcohol usually taste more full-bodied.
- Grape Variety: There are specific grape varieties that produce more full-bodied wines.
- Oak Aging: A lot like Bourbon, the wines aged in fresh oak barrels usually taste a lot more full-bodied. The wine producers usually mention oak aging on the back label.
- Climate Type: As a basic rule, the grapes grown in warmer climates usually tend to produce richer, more full-bodied wines.
- Residual Sugar: Unfermented grape sugars that are left in a wine increase the body without increasing the sweetness. Mostly, this is hardly mentioned on a wine label.
Food Pairings with Full-Bodied Wines
There are certain aspects when it comes to considering the food pairings when it comes to the full-bodied wines. It is recommended to match the body of the wine to the weight of the food. For instance, a light dish like a pinot grigio will go well with a light wine. On the other hand, a heavier dish will pair better with a full-bodied wine like a cabernet sauvignon. The next aspect to consider is the flavor of the dish.
Full-bodied red wines are bold and high in tannins and excellent for cutting through fatty foods. Some examples of rich red wine include Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Bordeaux blend. These refresh your palate after a bite of something sweet like chocolate or decadent like goat cheese or even perfectly cooked meat.
Popular Full-Bodied Wine Varieties
What is a Full-bodied red wine? Well, this is a wine type that has a higher alcohol content than 12.9%. Full-bodied wines comprise more depth and a richer mouthfeel than their lighter counterparts. Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah are examples of these wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold and rich grape variety that is commonly consumed with a high alcohol content. This type of Zinfandel is rustic, rich, and deep in color. This wine is manufactured from black pepper, plums, blackcurrant, and spice. Strawberry, spice, and leather are a couple of the ingredients in Rioja. On the other hand, a carina is a combination of steak, wild mushroom linguine, or venison. Also, Red meats have a high concentration of antioxidants, which assists in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Lambrusco is another grape variety that is grown in Argentina. It is used in wine. Lambrusco is one of the lightest red wines on the list. If you would prefer, Lambrusco di Sorbara is the lightest of all of them. Lambrusco is a wine grape native to Emilia-Romagna, the same place as Parmigiano-Reggiano, located in Northern Italy. Lambrusco is manufactured with this method, which is known as the swarm method. This method ensures the production of refreshing, light-tasting wine. Lambrusco is a delicious wine to pair with food. It is the perfect summer picnic or night out for friends. The flavor, being refreshing and light, is ideal for eating with food.
Serving and Enjoying Full-Bodied Wines
The wine serving temperature can greatly influence a wine’s aromatics, taste, and enjoyment. Serving a cool wine can help mask the flaws seen in young or cheap wines, whereas serving a warm wine can allow the bouquet and complexity inside a wine to be expressed, which is ideal for aged or rich, full-bodied wines. Lower temperatures also repress the ‘bite’ that alcohol can give in lighter-bodied wines.
Have you ever tasted a full-bodied/oaked Chardonnay at room temperature? If so, it probably tasted mostly of dry oak, and the fruit was missing. If you’ve had it too cold, you’ve probably tasted nothing but acidity and, again, no fruit. *(Here are some guide-lines).
Wine Serving Temperature Guidelines
18°C is perfect for full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vintage Port.
10°- 12° is perfect for Full-bodied white wines like ‘Barrel Fermented’ Chardonnay.
What Does Full-Bodied Wine Mean?: Conclusion
So, you see, the “Body” describes the texture or weight of a wine, as it feels in the mouth. This comprises a combination of certain elements, such as alcohol, extract, glycerol, and acid. When wondering what kind of wine to go with dinner, remember that stronger, more robust flavored dishes with cream sauces, rich cheeses, or heavy meats, for instance, can be paired best with equally full-bodied wines.
What Does Full-Bodied Wine Mean?: FAQ's
Question 1. What makes a wine full-bodied?
Answer: It is the Alcohol content that creates viscosity, hence adding to the fullness of the body.
Question 2. Are all red wines full-bodied?
Answer: No, they are not.
Question 3. Can white wines be full-bodied?
Answer: Yes, they can be.
Question 4. Does the aging process impact a wine's body?
Answer: Yes, it does.
Question 5. Are full-bodied wines more expensive?
Answer: Yes, they are more expensive.
Question 6. What does "body" mean in wine?
Answer: The wine body implies the weight, texture, and richness of a wine.
Question 7. Which grape varieties are known for producing full-bodied wines?
Answer: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Airén, Chardonnay.
Question 8. How does aging in oak barrels affect the body of wine?
Answer: It changes changes the tannin structure of red wines.
Question 9. Are there full-bodied white wines, or is it primarily associated with reds?
Answer: No, there are also full-bodied White wines available.
Question 10. Can the body in wine change over time?
Answer: Yes, they can.
Question 11. What food pairings work well with full-bodied wines?
Answer: Cheese and meat are great.
Question 12. Are there affordable options for full-bodied wines?
Answer: Yes, there are quite a few options available.
Question 13. How does the concept of the body differ from wine to wine?
Answer: Yes, they do.