Wine is the perfect drink to celebrate with, to wind down the day with, to pair with a delicious meal, or to simply share with friends and family. That being said, its versatile nature that makes it a drink-of-choice for many also makes it a complex drink to get right. What wine should you have with a light fish or pasta with tomato sauce? What wine should you sip on during cocktail hour? To answer those questions, we have to answer, “What is wine body?”

Light-Bodied vs. Full-Bodied Wines

Wine body is defined by the weight, texture, and richness of a wine. A light-bodied wine will have a smooth, feather-light mouth feel, while a full-bodied wine will have a viscous, tenacious mouth feel

Light-Bodied Wines 

A light-bodied wine has a higher acidity level, a lower alcohol content, fewer tannins, and less color.

If you are looking for a light-bodied red wine, a Pinot Noir is a great option. Pinot Noir is the lightest of the lights. Because of its reduced tannins, you should expect a smooth taste.

Want a light-bodied white wine with some more flare?  You may also try a Riesling or Verdejo.  You can expect a sharp or spicy taste, which can be attributed to a higher acidity level and the cooler climate the grapes were grown in.

Medium-Bodied Wines

Medium-bodied wines are typically considered the “food wines,” because of their neutral nature. The difference between medium-bodied and full-bodied wines mostly has to do with how much alcohol and acidity they contain. Medium-bodied wine grape varieties also tend to have more natural acidity.

A medium-bodied wine to try is a Cabernet Franc or a Merlot. In a Cabernet Franc, you’ll experience flavors like strawberry, roasted pepper, red plum, and chili pepper. This wine pairs exceedingly well with high acidic foods.

When it comes to Merlot, you should expect flavors such as cherry, plum, chocolate, bay leaf, and vanilla. This wine is much drier to taste. Think of this wine as an easy, entry-level wine. It sits in the middle of the spectrum and goes well with some of the best comfort food, like pasta with tomato sauce, mushrooms, and cheese.

Full-Bodied Wines

Unlike a light-bodied or medium-bodied wine, a full-bodied wine has a low acidity level, a higher alcohol content, more tannins, and more sugar.  These are called the “cocktail wines.” Because of their richness, they have to capability of standing on their own. Many times, these wines are aged in oak barrels to help soften the bold flavors.

Some full-bodied options are a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Chardonnay.

When drinking a Cabernet Sauvignon, you’ll taste black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. This full-bodied wine is a favorite amongst wine coinsurers for its high concentration and age worthiness.

Chardonnay, while not as full bodied as a Cabernet Sauvignon, has a higher alcohol content and medium acidity. What makes Chardonnay full-bodied is the oak-aging process.  Oak-aging adds flavors like the aroma of vanilla, clove, smoke, and coconut. It also allows “the slow ingress of oxygen,” a process that makes the wine taste less astringent. Oaked Chardonnay is high-end, with a bold flavor that pairs well with dishes such as crab cakes, pork tenderloin, and rich, starchy vegetables.

Which Wine Will You Choose?

So, now you know how to pick a glass of wine that will perfectly fit your palette. Chaumette will make sure to serve you a wine that will quench your thirst and satiate your desire for something elegant, flavorful, and enjoyable. You simply cannot go wrong when you pick Chaumette Vineyard and Winery for your day off, a special night away, or even your wedding day. No matter the occasion, Chaumette will have the perfect wine for you.