A colourful world of wine awaits you

FROM the rich ruby reds of merlot or cabernet sauvignon, to the golden bubbles of Champagne and the straw-yellow of chardonnay or pinot grigio, these days wine comes in a world of colours. Not just red or white - but shades of orange, rose and amber, too. Of course, it all depends on the grapes and winemaking techniques.

- by Matt Nixson

Red wines are made from black-skinned grapes, with colours from rich ruby red and deep purple to lighter shades, depending on how long the skins remain in the juice. Ageing, either in casks or bottles and especially in the case of fortified wines like port, can cause reds to take on deep tawny or garnet shades. By contrast, whites whose colours range from near-clear to ripe, straw yellows, are typically made using green-skinned varieties of grape. Red grapes can be used but the skins must be removed immediately.