Lardy's Wine Tasting Notes
Medium Bodied Red Wines
Lardy's Wine Tasting NotesMedium Bodied Red Wines
The large majority of quality (as opposed to table) wines fit into this class. The main distinction between midweight and heavyweight is concentration. Concentration - of alcohol, flavour, fruit, oak, tannin and other, lesser elements - is the hallmark of a great wine. The classification of mid or heavy weight DOES NOT IMPLY A QUALITY judgement. There are many heavy wines on the market (most from hot climates) that lack fruit, nerve, complex flavours or elegance. Many of these are dominated by tannin additives that add spice and oak and sweetness. They are simply heavy. On the other hand, most wines from cooler climates are not intense enough to be heavy.
The midweight reds are those most suitable to year-round general use. At their best they are supple, lively in the mouth, dancing across the palate with waves of flavour, showing a bit of oak one second and fruit the next. The best have lively acidity which makes them extremely food-friendly. Midweight wines are not too heavy for most foods.
These are the Canadian wines to compare with such international midweights as Bordeaux, Chianti, Cabernet Merlot blends, Cru Beaujolais, better Pinot Noir, most reds from the Rhone, and most reds from the new world. Most consumers consider these to be heavy wines (too heavy for many), but most are not. Be sure to look at the detailed tasting notes for each wine before making a purchase decision.
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