Wine Diamonds A Little Sparkle in Your Glass

Every now and then, a bottle of wine hides a small surprise. Tiny crystals may appear at the bottom of the bottle or on the cork, catching the light like scattered gems. These are wine diamonds, and they are a natural part of wine’s story.

Wine diamonds are tartrate crystals, formed when tartaric acid from grapes bonds with minerals such as potassium or calcium. When wine gets cold, these compounds can gently crystallise and settle out. White or rosé wines show them more often simply because they are usually served chilled.

Most wine diamonds are made from potassium tartrate, but calcium tartrate can also form similar looking crystals. It is less influenced by temperature and may appear later in a wine’s life, even after bottling. Either way, the result is the same. The crystals are harmless, tasteless and do not affect the wine.

Some wineries remove wine diamonds before bottling, while others leave them as a sign of minimal handling. If you happen to find a little sparkle in your glass, there is no need to worry. Just enjoy the wine and its quiet bit of magic.