There are some seriously weird wine terms out there – but what do they all mean? I often read descriptions of wines and stop and think – what am I reading here? It can mean knowing if the wine is something you like becomes very confusing. So in Wine Terms Explained, we unpack some of these weird wine terms so you know what they actually mean. Then you can use them to choose wines you know you’ll like to drink! In this Wine Terms Explained we’re unpacking the wine term bright. What is a bright wine?
I often see wines described as Bright, but when I stopped and thought about it, I realised I had no idea what it actually meant. Does it mean that the wine has a vibrant colour? Does it glow in the dark? Or is it more about flavour? Well, let’s unpack this weird wine term together so we all know what it means and can use it with confidence!
What is a bright wine?
Bright is a slightly confusing wine term because it can be used to describe both the mouthfeel of wine and its appearance. I think it is used mostly to describe the flavours or mouthfeel, and this is the most valuable way to use this wine term. But here is what both of them mean.
In terms of appearance, bright can be used to describe how the wine looks in the glass. When you look at a glass of wine and it is clear, it can be described as bright. More light is refracted through the wine and so it will appear vivid and fresh in the glass.
But in terms of flavour, bright can be used to describe a wine’s character. It is usually used to describe wines that are fresh, ripe, zesty and lively. These wines are usually high in acidity with less fruit content to balance this out. This makes the wine more lively and zippy in the mouth. The wine also usually doesn’t coat your mouth as a creamy wine would due to this acidity content.
So at its core, when answering the question: what is a bright wine – it is basically a highly acidic wine. Simple as that. They are the kind of wines that make your mouth water with their acidity, so can be seriously delicious!
Where will you find it?
So now you know the basics of what a bright wine is, where will you find it? As a general rule, you can find brightness in flavourful young wines, or those wines with high acidity. This flavour is particularly common in white wines, particularly those with higher acidity. Riesling can be a classic example of a white wine where you’ll find this, but you can also find it in some Chardonnays such as Chablis too!
You might think you can only find bright in white wines, but this isn’t always the case. You can also find this in red wines, but usually in lower-alcohol, lighter style wines. It also depends on the winemaking and when the grapes were picked – usually if they are picked earlier they will have more acidity and less ripe fruit flavours. Wines from cool climates will also usually be brighter than those from warm climates. Thinking about cool climate Pinots and Beaujolais versus a Barossa Valley Shiraz. The Shiraz will have a rich, full-bodied flavour compared to those lighter and crisper wines.
In summary: What is a bright wine?
So is bright in wine a good thing? Well like most things it comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy wines with high acidity and lighter style reds, then you are probably on the hunt for a bright wine. These wines are vivid and mouth-watering, so if this sounds like something you’d like to drink, you need to check them out! But if you prefer fuller-bodied, fruit-forward wines, then perhaps a bright wine isn’t for you. Whatever your preference, now you know what this weird wine term means and you can choose with confidence!