Yes, there are some purple wines available on the market today. While most wines range in color from pale yellow to deep red, a few unusual varieties exhibit a rich, vibrant purple hue. These distinctive wines get their color primarily from a family of antioxidant pigments called anthocyanins. By adjusting vineyard and winemaking techniques, producers can craft wines with dramatic purple tones. However, such wines remain relatively rare. Most are niche offerings that command premium prices due to their uniqueness and rich extract.
What Grapes Make Purple Wine?
Wine grapes naturally contain colorless juice. The anthocyanin pigments that provide red, purple, and blue hues are found in the grape skins and seeds. During fermentation, these pigments are extracted into the wine if the juice stays in prolonged contact with the skins. However, most red grapes do not contain high enough levels of anthocyanins to yield a vivid purple result. The most purple wines are made from grapes that have an unusually thick, deeply pigmented skin and an abundance of extract. Key varieties include:
| Petite Sirah | A reddish-purple wine known for inky color and robust tannins. Grown primarily in California. |
| Tannat | The national grape of Uruguay, produIces very dark, tannic wines. Also grown in France and California. |
| Sagrantino | An Italian grape that makes intensely purple, full-bodied wines. |
| Alicante Bouschet | A grape with thick purple skins, originally from France but now grown in California to blend into red wines. |
In addition to these teinturier (“dye-stained”) red grapes naturally rich in anthocyanins, many purple wines also incorporate selective harvesting and winemaking techniques to maximize color extraction.
Winemaking Techniques for Purple Wine
To develop a strong purple color in wine, winemakers pay special attention to:
| Skin contact | Allowing juice prolonged maceration with the skins during fermentation, often 2-4 weeks. |
| Cold soaks | Letting grapes soak in their own juice at 50-60°F before starting fermentation, which extracts color before alcohol develops. |
| Pressing | Gentle pressing that allows soft skin contact rather than hard pressing that would filter out color compounds. |
| Barrel aging | Maturing in new oak barrels that impart additional pigments. |
| Blending | Adding small amounts of deeply colored varieties like Alicante Bouschet and Petite Sirah. |
| Fining | Avoiding fining agents like gelatin that can strip color. |
| Filtration | Minimizing filtering to retain color compounds. |
Skilled management of these winemaking processes allows experienced producers to craft bottles with dramatically purple hues.
Popular Purple Wine Varieties
While many red wines display hints of purple, especially when young, the most prized purple wines achieve an exceptionally saturated, opaque, inky color. Some of the most popular richly purple wines include:
| Apothic Red | California blend with Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. |
| Conundrum Red | California blend including Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| Carménère | Chilean grape that often makes deeply colored wine. |
| Seven Hills Petite Sirah | Washington State Petite Sirah. |
| Rabbit Ridge Tannat | Californian Tannat from Paso Robles. |
| Jekel Vineyards Mourvèdre | California Mourvèdre with vivid purple tones. |
| Locations AR Italian Red | Sagrantino-based blend from Dave Phinney. |
These wines utilize robust purple varietals, extended skin contact, blending, and other techniques to achieve striking violet-purple hues. They display full body, intense fruit, velvety tannins, and mouth-coating texture.
Taste Characteristics of Purple Wines
In addition to their dramatic visual appeal, richly purple wines offer distinctive taste experiences:
| Concentration | Deep color correlates to concentrated flavor and structure. |
| Fruit intensity | Often features dense, ripe berry and plum flavors. |
| Spice and floral notes | Can exhibit pepper, violet, eucalyptus, or herbaceous qualities. |
| Savory earthiness | Tannat and Sagrantino, in particular, display graphite, leather, and umami characters. |
| Tannin | Mouth-drying yet velvety tannins provide grip and aging potential. |
| Oak influence | Purple wines are often aged in new oak barrels, which impart spicy, toasty notes. |
These flavors mesh with elevated alcohol levels and expansive mouthfeel to create wines of power and intensity. The lush fruit and tannins allow purple wines to pair well with smoked or grilled meats.
Food Pairings for Purple Wines
The bold flavors and sturdy structure of richly purple wines enable them to complement intensely flavored dishes. Recommended pairings include:
| Grilled or smoked beef, lamb, venison, or game meats | Stand up to char and smoke, while fruit balances gaminess. |
| Hard cheeses | Contrast the creamy cheese against the wine’s astringency. |
| Mushroom dishes | Match the earthiness and savoriness of mushrooms. |
| Eggplant Parmesan | Fruit, oak, and acid cuts richness of cheese and breading. |
| Dark chocolate | Mingles with chocolate’s light bitterness. |
The vibrant purple wines mesh beautifully with bold flavors, instead of being overpowered. Their sturdy tannins also enable longevity alongside rich dishes.
Where to Buy Purple Wine
Due to small-scale production and niche status, purple wines can be harder to find than conventional reds. However, these hunting grounds offer opportunities to find bottles with striking violet hues:
| Wine shops | Independently owned wine shops may stock unique purple bottles. |
| Specialty retailers | International markets and gourmet stores sometimes carry unique red varietals. |
| Direct from wineries | Ordering directly from producers allows access to limited wines. |
| Online wine retailers | Large online stores may have special “purple wine” categories. |
| Wine clubs | Joining wine clubs focused on rare finds opens up access. |
| Wine auctions | Bidding on aged rare wines, though prices will be high. |
With some researching and digging, adventurous wine lovers can track down these elusive purple gems. And once you do discover a great purple wine, stock up – with small production levels, they may not be easy to find year after year.
Price and Value of Purple Wines
One trade-off for their captivating color is elevated price. Because purple wine grapes are less common and require specialized production, they usually cost more than typical wines. Pricing tiers include:
| Simple red blends with purple tones | $15 – $25 |
| Quality varietal wines like California Petite Sirah | $30 – $60 |
| Top small-lot purple releases | $75 – $125+ |
| Aged library releases | Hundreds of dollars at auction |
At the highest ends, these wines approach collectible status and are priced accordingly. However, many excellent purple wines offer an affordable opportunity to experience their uniqueness. Despite the cost, passionate wine lovers find them worth the splurge for special occasions.
When considered as an experience, not just a product, they offer valuable rarity and excitement. Instead of buying a $10 wine twice, consider buying one $20 purple wine to celebrate a milestone. For wine enthusiasts, their visual distinction and conversation-starting potential justify the premium price.
Health Benefits of Purple Wine
Their bold pigments aren’t just aesthetically appealing. The anthocyanin compounds that lend rich purple hues also offer health benefits:
| Antioxidants | Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that combat cell damage. |
| Anti-inflammatory | May reduce inflammation associated with chronic diseases. |
| Anti-aging | Combat effects of aging by protecting cells from oxidative stress. |
| Heart health | May improve cholesterol, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular markers. |
| Neuroprotection | May shield brain cells against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. |
| Vision health | Could protect eyes against UV damage and macular degeneration. |
By packing an extra punch of antioxidant anthocyanins, purple wines deliver added protective benefits over paler wines. Of course, moderation is still key. But the occasional glass of purple wine may do more good than your average white or rosé.
Conclusion
Purple wines occupy an intriguing niche in the wine world. Their ethereal, vivid color sets them apart on the table and on store shelves. By utilizing high-pigment grapes and specialized production techniques, winemakers can craft dramatic purple-hued wines that provide distinctive sensory experiences. Tannat, Petite Sirah, Sagrantino, and related vines yield wines with intense fruit, ample tannins, concentration, and longevity. Their boldness pairs wonderfully with smoked and grilled meats. While not always easy to find and requiring a higher budget, purple wines deliver mystique and memorable complexity. Their potent dose of antioxidant anthocyanins even provides added health benefits. For wine lovers seeking something that will truly stand out in color, character, and conversation, a glass of purple is a compelling choice.
