Knowing how to appreciate wine makes drinking it a more satisfying and enjoyable experience. If you want to learn more about the drink and its finer attributes, start by understanding what the “legs” inside your glass denote. Let’s take a closer look.

What Are Legs?

Also called tears of wine, church or monastery windows, and Gibbs-Marangoni Effect, legs are droplets or streaks of wine that form down the sides of a glass. This is a phenomenon that results from fluid surface tension caused by alcohol evaporation.

Why Do Legs Matter?

Despite the popular notion that legs are an indicator of quality, this is a myth. They can, however, tell you essential information about the bottle. High-alcohol wines collect a higher density of droplets compared to varieties with lower levels of alcohol. Legs can also indicate sugar content. Wines with high sugar levels have a higher viscosity, making the legs trickle slowly down the sides of a glass.

How Do You Read Legs?

Though some might argue that a bottle’s alcohol content could be easily read on its label, observing legs is still a fun tradition to perform while sampling a bottle. The next time you go out to a tasting, try your hand at discerning the legs in your glass — it’s easy to do.

First, hold the glass at an angle so that the wine flows up to one side. Next, level the glass and observe the viscosity or density of the drink as it flows to the center. Then, carefully watch the legs that form. Keep in mind that the more legs you notice, the higher the alcohol content. Remember to always pace yourself and drink responsibly.

Whether you’re looking for a nice bottle of red or scouting for a romantic date night venue, Hidden Lake Winery & Banquet Center is your ideal destination. Located in Aviston, IL, this restaurant, winery, and banquet hall offers elegant reception venues and a perfect location to hold a wedding. They also offer cabin rentals and accommodate private events. Call (618) 228-9111 or visit their website to peruse their wine menu.