If you’re passionate about wine, you may have come across the term “wine legs” at a tasting event or in conversations with sommeliers. But what exactly are wine legs? Despite the name, they have nothing to do with bottles or wine glasses. Instead, they’re a visual effect that appears after you swirl wine in a glass and then let it rest.
Wine legs refer to the streaks or droplets that slowly run down the inside of a wine glass after the wine has been swirled. These drops appear to form thin “legs” or “tears” as they glide down the glass surface—hence the poetic name.
While some people believe wine legs indicate a wine’s quality, in reality, they’re more reflective of the alcohol and sugar content. The more prominent, thick, or slow-moving the legs, the more likely the wine has a higher alcohol level or sweeter profile, since both alcohol and sugar increase a liquid’s viscosity.
This phenomenon is known scientifically as the Marangoni Effect—a result of surface tension differences between alcohol and water. As alcohol evaporates faster, what remains becomes more viscous, creating those slow, graceful streaks down the glass.
Although wine legs don’t determine whether a wine tastes good or not, they do add a layer of charm and intrigue to the experience. Observing them can deepen your appreciation and help you better understand what you’re drinking—especially if you’re learning to recognize the nuances of different wine styles.
So, the next time you swirl your wine, take a moment to watch those delicate legs forming. You don’t need a scientific explanation—sometimes, simply admiring the beauty of wine as it flows can be a memorable part of the tasting experience.