How to dilute wine that is too viscous

When wine is viscous, it can be diluted by adding water, ice cubes, or pairing with juice. The viscosity of wine is mainly related to the sugar content, brewing process, or storage conditions. When adjusting, attention should be paid to maintaining flavor balance.

1. Dilute with water

Slowly add a small amount of pure water or mineral water to the wine, with the proportion controlled within 10%. This method is suitable for sweet or fortified wines, as it can reduce alcohol content and sweetness, but may dilute the aroma. It is recommended to add and taste in portions during operation to avoid excessive dilution.

2. Add ice cubes to cool

Add 1-2 ice cubes to the glass and cool briefly. Low temperature will temporarily reduce the sensitivity of taste to viscosity. This method is suitable for ready to drink scenarios, but melting may affect the taste. Suggest using large chunks of ice to slow down the melting rate, or chill the wine bottle in advance.

3. Mixed fruit juice

Adding acidic fruit juices such as lemon juice and apple juice can balance the stickiness, with a ratio of about 1:5. Citrus juice can enhance freshness and is suitable for white wine; Red wine can be paired with dark fruit juices such as cherry juice. Note that the sweetness of fruit juice may alter the structure of the wine.

4. Change the cup and decant

Pour the liquor into a decanter or a large belly cup to fully expose it to air. Oxidation can soften the heaviness caused by tannins and sugar. Especially suitable for young red wines or late harvest sweet wines, decanting for 30 minutes to 2 hours can improve the taste.

5. Adjust drinking temperature

Low temperatures will highlight the stickiness, white wine is suitable for 8-12 ℃, and red wine is suitable for 14-18 ℃. The wine bottle can be placed in a mixture of ice and water to quickly cool down, or the cup wall can be slightly warmed by hand to change the taste performance through temperature adjustment.

When storing wine in daily life, it should be kept at a constant temperature and away from light, and placed horizontally to keep the cork moist. After opening the bottle, it can be stored with a vacuum plug to avoid excessive oxidation and sugar concentration. If the wine becomes abnormally viscous or clumped, it may have spoiled and is not recommended to continue drinking. When pairing with food, choosing refreshing salads, seafood, or cheese can neutralize the heaviness of the wine.