Rim is the outer edge of wine visible when a glass is tilted against a white background. Tasters examine the rim, along with the wine’s colour at the centre, to observe hue and possible signs of development. In red wines, younger examples often show purple or ruby tones, while older wines may develop garnet, brick or tawny hues.
Rim colour can offer clues about grape variety, age and evolution, but it is not a precise age test. Lighting, glass shape, wine concentration and winemaking style all affect appearance. A pale or watery-looking edge does not, by itself, prove that a wine is light-bodied.
Example: a young, deeply coloured Malbec may show a purple rim, while an evolved red Bordeaux may show garnet or brick tones at the edge.
Tasting tip: tilt the glass over a white tablecloth or sheet of paper and examine the colour from the centre to the edge.
This term is one of hundreds covered in depth across OCS courses, learning paths, and 1-on-1 coaching with Chef Eric.
