Legs (or tears) are the streams of wine that form on the inside of a glass after swirling, then slowly slide back down. Legs are caused by differences in alcohol and water surface tension; higher alcohol and glycerol content create more visible legs. While often misinterpreted as a quality indicator, legs primarily reflect alcohol and sugar content—not quality. A low-alcohol, dry wine may show few legs despite being excellent; a high-alcohol wine may show prominent legs despite being simple. Legs are mildly useful as a quick assessment of alcohol content but should not be over-interpreted.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR COLLECTORS
Don't judge wine quality by legs alone. Legs indicate alcohol level and glycerol content but say little about complexity, balance, or ageing potential. Rely on nose, palate, and finish for quality assessment.
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