Methods for identifying the authenticity of dry red wine

The identification of the authenticity of dry red wine can be comprehensively judged by observing the color of the wine, smelling the aroma, tasting the wine, checking the wine label information, and detecting the reaction of the wine. counterfeit and inferior products may have issues such as pigment addition, unnatural aroma, thin taste, or unclear label information.

1. Observe the color of the wine

High quality dry red wine usually presents a ruby red or purple red color, with high transparency and uniformity. During pouring, the edges of the liquor may have an orange hue, which is a natural change during aging. Fake and inferior liquor may use artificial colors, which are too bright or cloudy in color, and may precipitate and stratify after standing. You can drop the liquor onto white paper to observe its diffusion. Natural pigments diffuse evenly, while artificial pigments often present obvious color blocks.

2. Smell the aroma

Authentic dry red wine has a rich fruity or oak barrel aged aroma, including red fruit aromas such as blackcurrant and cherry. High quality wine also emits spice or smoky flavors. Poor quality wine has a single and pungent aroma, which may have a distinct alcohol or syrup flavor. A small amount of liquor can be rubbed in the palm and smelled. The natural aroma will become more obvious as the temperature rises, while the artificial essence will emit chemical odor.

3. Taste

Authentic dry red wine with smooth tannins, balanced acidity and sweetness, and a long-lasting fruity aftertaste. Fake and inferior wine may have a bland or sweet taste, rough tannins that prick the throat, and a short and bitter aftertaste. It can contain a small amount of alcohol and be lightly pressed on the palate with the tip of the tongue. Genuine products will gradually release multi-layered flavors, while inferior alcohol flavors will quickly fade away.

4. View Wine Label Information

Legitimate product wine labels will clearly indicate the country of origin, grape variety, alcohol content, filling date, and manufacturer information. Pay attention to checking whether the Chinese label on the back is complete, and imported liquor must have a customs inspection mark. Counterfeit products often have spelling errors, unclear information, or barcode recognition issues. You can check the anti-counterfeiting code through official channels.

5. Testing the reaction of wine

Dissolve a small amount of edible alkali in water and drop it into the wine. Genuine wine will turn blue black due to anthocyanin reaction, and the color change of blended wine is not significant. You can also dip a tissue into the wine solution. Natural wine pigments are not easy to smudge, while artificially added pigments will quickly penetrate the tissue and form obvious color circles.

It is recommended to choose regular channels when purchasing dry red wine in daily life, and pay attention to storage conditions to avoid direct exposure to high temperatures. After opening the bottle, the condition of the cork can be observed to assist in identification. High quality cork stoppers should have traces of alcohol infiltration and good elasticity. Proper sobering up before drinking can help release flavor, but if there is a noticeable odor or discomfort after drinking, it should be stopped immediately. Long term storage requires constant temperature and humidity, and the wine should be placed horizontally to prevent oxidation by contacting the cork.