Are you fond of drinking red wine? However, you do not want your teeth and your lips to get stained by it. Actually, red wine is really staining. The substance that it naturally contains can leave the stain on the cloth, your teeth, lips or even cover up your whole mouth. No worries as we have here some helpful ways on how to drink red wine without staining your lips. So, if you want to enjoy your night out without having the red wine mouth, check out some tips and tricks below!
Factors Affecting the Colors of Red Wine
Actually, the thing that makes you know the style of wine you are opting to is the wine color and opacity. The places where wines are offered are usually in dark, like that of low-lit restaurants, to closely observe the wine. Yet, observing the wine closely on clean lighting will allow you to determine the difference between each red wine colors.
Generally, wine color is the best indication of the wine age, variety of grapes, flavor density, and acidity. You may easily identify the wine by simply looking at it once you know the different colors of each red wine.
Color Intensity
Basically, wine color intensity entails how pale it is or how staining it is. This factor will generally show you the density of wine style. The more intense colors of the wine mean that it is bolder and contains high levels of tannins. Moreover, the length of time the winemaker maintains the contact of the skin of the grape with the juice during wine production will most likely result in darker and more intense wine color.
Aside from the skin of the grape, its seeds and stems may also add extra levels of tannins on the wine thus adding an intense in wine color. Too much high levels of tannin can create bitterness and overly dryness of the wine. Touches of blue over the glass corners generally indicate a higher level of pH.
Opacity
To determine the type of grape being used to make the wine, try to see its opacity. This wine feature will also let you know the age of the wine. Generally, opaque wine may also result from unfiltered grape extract and typically appears hazy. You will commonly find this type of wine style on most Italian wines.
Wine producers of Italian wines basically intend not to filter the wine. This is for the purpose of maintaining the rich texture of the wine. Moreover, this will also make a more dynamic wine flavor.
Color
When you look towards the center point of the wine, you will see there its main color. Just to remind you, the color of the wine is important to know the age of the wine. Generally, most commercial and value-focused wines seem to lose the wine color pigments much faster like around 2 to 4 hours.
Meanwhile, wines that undergo ageing usually take about 10 to 14 years before it begins to change the color. Keep in mind that wines that demand for more time prior to color change also take a long time to taste better after it is stored in the cellar.
Secondary Colors
The secondary colors are some of the touches and shades of colors within the glass edge. Typically, touches of green or straw can be commonly seen on white wines. Whereas, the shades brick, brown, orange or magenta are present on red wines. These colors are usually concentrated within the wine rim gearing to the glass edge.
Rim Variation
Another way to determine the age of the wine is the rim variation present on the wine. Generally, an older wine has a wide rim variation while a younger wine might possess a very sleek rim variation. Just a friendly tip, the slight blue touch over the rim of the red wine means a wine having a higher level of acidity.
Different Colors of Red Wine
Check below the different colors of the red wine:
Red Wine Color 1: Cabernet Sauvignon or Young Cabernet
The cabernet color is somehow close to opaque yet compared to syrah, it is not that opaque. It has generally a dark ruby shade within the center and having a magenta tinged edge. The young age of the cabernet does not cause any orange stain. And it also needs a long time to create the appearance of the older wine.
This red wine color has various intensities which depend on the process of winemaking and on the weather. For example, the Bordeaux France cabernet sauvignon tends to be paler and have less pigment during the cool climate. Moreover, the lighter color and less dense red wine of this color seem to have higher acidity.
Red Wine Color 2: Old Cabernet Sauvignon
During the ageing process of the wine, the longer it age, the color density reduces along with making a greater rim variation. Moreover, this also shows more orange or brown colors. Yet, the way the wine changes in this manner highly depends on the wine variety, its producer and location. Actually, fine wines take around 10 to 12 years to display the old wine characteristics.
Meanwhile, the Merlot, Pinot Noir, and the Zinfandel generally change quickly. Four years of wine bottle staging basically results in an old wine appearance for an orange-rimmed organic Zinfandel. Moreover, the size of the bottle also affects the ageing of wine. In larger bottles, wines generally age longer due to the ratio of wine to the air inside the bottle.
Red Wine Color 3: Merlot
Compared to the cabernet sauvignon, the merlot is a little bit lighter. However, it has a special feature that you can generally opt for a younger wine. This is the presence of slightly orange hues on the rim. The most popular clue for the blind tasting of fine merlot is the determination of the brick red rim. You can generally observe this wine color on Chianti, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Rioja.
Red Wine Color 4: Syrah or Shiraz
In terms of very opaque red wine, the color of syrah or shiraz is the most common one. This is similar to that of petite syrah, malbec, and Mourvedre. The rim variation of this red wine color is basically very little. Moreover, the young age wine of this color comes from an opaque purple-black center up to magenta on the wine edge.
Red Wine Color 5: Young Pinot Noir or Burgundy
The palest color of red wine is the Pinot Noir. Basically, you can see directly through it. Its color covers the pale red berry such as the colors of the cranberry and raspberry. Yet, there are winemakers that can extract fine pinot noir having more wine color. Its pale translucent color makes the pinot noir one of the most identifiable wine.
Red Wine Color 6: Old Pinot Noir or Burgundy
Once the pinot noir aged in time, the color changes to more brick-like hue. As it ages more, the pinot will become orange and brown-tinged. The old wine rim variation is generally wide while making the color weaker and paler.
What Red Wine Color Stain Lips and Teeth?
Now that we have a little bit knowledge about the different red wine colors, we can basically determine which one has the ability to stain lips and the teeth. Compared to the rest, below are the red wines that can stain your lips:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chianti
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Rioja
- Syrah
Red Wine Staining
Red wine is basically enjoyable yet its staining property is highly notorious. It stains on the similar principle that goes with grape juice. Generally, the coloring of the grape skin is the one responsible for the red wide staining. For a specific period of time, it can stain the lips and the teeth.
Basically, red wine contains food-coloring chemicals known as the anthocyanins. The anthocyanins are pigments which are highly water-soluble and vary its color depending on the pH. It can appear on a red color, purple, or blue one. Moreover, anthocyanins are also present in the tissues of higher plants but it is in the fruits where it is more concentrated.
Generally, anthocyanins are also common chemicals used in dyeing fabrics. So, this simply means that once the red wine spill onto the clothes, it will definitely leave a stain. Like those dyes for fabric use, anthocyanins can easily attach to fabrics and fibrous items. The end product is typically a great shade of red.
Ways on Removing Red Wine Stains
Actually, home remedies and commercial stain removers are available to successfully remove the stain caused by red wine. Below are some of those ways that might consider:
Home Remedies of Red Wine Stain Removal
- Mix water, club soda, vinegar, vodka or white wine and simply dilute the stain there.
- Apply the combination of hydrogen peroxide and soap formula if colorfast fabrics had been stained by red wine.
- Absorb the red wine stain using salt.
- Prepare baking soda paste and apply it onto the red wine stain.
- Saturate the red wine stain with milk.
- Using shaving cream, smear the stain caused by red wine.
- Pour boiling water over the red wine stain.
The Use of Enzyme-Based Remover
In case the above home remedies don’t work, commercial products for red wine stain are highly available. It generally works by attracting the bacteria that seemed to break down the organic matter responsible for staining.
Most likely, the key here is the time. As soon as you attack the stains, the more effective the work of the removal will take place. Of course, the best time would be is when the stain is still fresh and wet.
Extra Tips for Removing Red Wine Stains:
- Do not ever rub the stain, just rub it.
- Application of heat on garments or placing it in a dryer is a no-no. Do not apply this until the stain is totally removed.
- Initially, conduct a colorfastness test especially when you are using bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide.
- Ensure using a white-colored paper towel if you are using one.
How to Drink Red Wine Without Staining Your Lips
Now, we are already aware that red wine is staining on clothes and even on our teeth and lips. It would be nice to see as wine-stained lips if it comes from a good colored lipstick. Yet, an obviously messy stained lip is another part of the story. So, the big question is how to drink red wine without staining your lips?
Basically, the ways on how to drink red wine without staining your lips require no special products. Here are some quick fixes that you might consider:
How to Drink Red Wine Without Staining Your Lips: Before Drinking
Simply Brush
Generally, one of the simplest ways on how to drink red wine without staining your lips and your teeth is to brush before imbibing a toothbrush. It is highly essential to brush prior to drinking red wine due to its high acidity. According to the American Dental Association, teeth’s exposure to acid can tear down the enamel which results in teeth’s vulnerability to decay or tooth sensitivity. It is also advisable to use a softer bristle brush or brush gently before the night out as vigorous brushing can even be more damaging.
Exfoliate
Another helpful way on how to drink red wine without staining your lips is to exfoliate it especially when it has lots of dry skin. Lips covered with dry skin may have a higher possibility for the stain to stay there. Bear in mind that dry skin can generally absorb more moisture from everything you drink. Thus, this will result in red, flaky lips.
Before you drink red wine, take some time to exfoliate your lips. Using a dry, clean toothbrush with baking soda and water mixture is one way on how to drink red wine without staining your lips. A soft towel can also do the job of getting rid of dry skin on the lips. Afterwards, put on some lip balm to hydrate your lips and you will notice lesser red wine stains on the lips.
How to Drink Red Wine Without Staining Your Lips: While Drinking
Drink with a straw
This might sound a little bit odd and using a straw in drinking a glass of fine merlot is not really a refined way of doing it. But, if you want to save your lips from red wine stains, this could definitely be a hero. Basically, a straw will help the wine to bypass your lips so doing this is one of the effective ways on how to drink red wine without staining your lips.
In case you are getting self-conscious in asking for a piece of straw, you can ask for a wine spritzer instead. Alternatively, you can also ask for a mixer offered in a tall glass rather than on a traditional wine glass. This way, the drink can be served with a straw.
How to Drink Red Wine Without Staining Your Lips: After Drinking
Touches of lemons and limes
When you already notice stains of red wine on your lips, you can ask for a slice of lemon or lime wedge with the drink. One way on how to drink red wine without staining your lips is to bite on the citrus using your lips. Generally, the high acidity of the fruit will aid in dissolving the stains from the red wine.
Lip balm to the rescue
One nice trick on how to drink red wine without staining your lips is to embrace the color of the wine left on your lips. Basically, clean it up and make it look intentionally that way. Swipe up a little amount of moisturizing lip balm and it can add some shine on your lips.
Moreover, the red stains may appear glossy. Additionally, regular application of lip balm creates a barrier from your lips and the red wine which may highly avoid the stain.
Red lipstick
Another trick on how to drink red wine without staining your lips is to generally cover up the evidence of wine into your lips. As they say, if you can’t beat the red wine stain, then match it using red lipstick. Doing this trick will make you look witty and sexy.
Plenty of water
This way on how to drink red wine without staining your lips is like hitting two birds with one stone. Actually, the water will wash out the traces of wine left on the lips and on the mouth. Another thing is that drinking water will help in reducing the wine headache.
Use wine wipes
There are actually available wine wipes products in the market. This generally comes in small compacts containing 20 wipes and a mirror. The wipes have an orange-blossom flavor which helps in removing red wine stains on the lips and teeth. Moreover, the flavor does not interfere with the palate during the process of wine tasting.
Final Thoughts
The ways on how to drink red wine without staining your lips are generally helpful to enjoy your drink without getting embarrassed on having a red wine mouth. Red wine basically contains anthocyanins, the food-coloring pigment which makes this drink a high-staining one. Due to this, it can leave stains on clothes, teeth, and lips. Luckily, there are available ways on how can get rid of it. Considering those ways may let you enjoy your wine and have a great night out.
