There are a lot of weird wine terms out there to explain flavours in a wine. But a lot of them frankly don’t make sense and make it harder to understand this glorious drink we all love. In Wine Terms Explained, we debunk and simplify these wine terms so you know what they really mean, and can even use them in a sentence! It’s all about making talking about wine easier for everyone! This week we’re looking the question: what is a racy wine?
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the term racy my mind goes to racing cars. Then I wonder if it means the wine can go really fast. Just me? Well, no matter what it makes you think of, this wine term seems a little out of place when talking about flavours in a wine. So what does it mean?
What is a racy wine?
via Giphy
Many wine critics use the term racy to describe a wine. But what is a racy wine? Well, racy isn’t something you’ll find when you smell or taste wine. It isn’t a flavour, but more of a style.
To make this easier, think about a tart lemonade. How does that feel in your mouth? Now think about a thick, creamy milkshake. How different would it be to that fresh lemonade?
A racy wine is more like the lemonade, and this comes from lively acidity. All wines need acidity in them to uplift the flavours. Without it, they will be flabby (another wine term we debunked). A wine that is racy has a high level of acidity, making it bouncy, light and lively rather than creamy, thick and heavy.
Racy isn’t a comment on the quality of a wine. Its simply personal preference of whether you like wines that are zippy or wines that are creamy. It’s all about the style.
What wines are more likely to be racy?
via Giphy
Now you know what a racy wine is, where will you find it? Racy wins are snappy, zippy and super refreshing. As a general rule of thumb, higher acidity in wines comes from cooler climates. You’ll also find whites are usually more acidic than reds. That’s not to say that reds can’t be racy too!
Here are some wines that are more likely to be racy:
- Riesling
- Chardonnay from some cool climates (eg. Burgundy) if lightly oaked or unoaked
- New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
- Champagne
- Sancerre
- Vouvray
- Beaujolais
- Some cool-climate Pinot Noir
- Lighter Italian wines – Sangiovese, Valpolicella and Chianti
Wines that are less likely to be racy:
- Heavily oaked whites (eg. Oaked Chardonnay)
- Medium to full-bodied red wine
- Dessert wines or sweet wines
In summary
So now you know when you see a wine described as racy, it isn’t a reflection on quality. It is simply telling you the wine is refreshing, zippy and juicy. If you love wines like this, then this is a good indication you’ll like the wine. But if you don’t, you can avoid these wines with confidence.
So next time you hear this term, think to yourself – that’s not a fast wine, that’s a wine with lively acidity!