If you have ever noticed your teeth turning purple after just one glass of a suspiciously dark Pinot Noir (or any red wine), there is a good chance you have been "Mega Purpled.” In the realm of major wine brands, appearances can be deceiving. What seems natural is frequently an elaborate ruse. Mega Purple and Ultra Red, which have names reminiscent of cartoon characters, are highly concentrated grape juice syrups. Although their inclusion in wine is entirely legal, the use of these additives has led to intense discussions about authenticity, especially since producers are not required to reveal their usage on the label.
A major concern with these ingredients is their extremely high sugar content. These syrups are concentrated to approximately 68% residual sugar. While a winery might only add a tiny fraction to a tank, this miniscule amount is often enough to noticeably alter the wine’s chemistry. This hidden boost does not just make the wine taste "jammier,” it contributes to a higher calorie count and more intense sugar-related hangovers. Mega Purple and its ilk are often associated with mass-produced commercial reds. Another issue is that these additives essentially erase the unique essence of a wine, substituting it with a uniform, lifeless flavor profile. It turns a natural, agricultural product into a manufactured adult juice box.
These viscous additives are produced by reducing the juice of the Rubired grape, thus greatly decreasing the water content while intensifying color and sugar levels. Most red wine grape varieties possess clear flesh; they derive their color exclusively from their skins. Rubired is classified as a teinturier variety, signifying it possesses both red skin and red flesh, generating intensely pigmented juice. In fact, teinturier is French for “dyer.” Spewing forth its color, this characteristic makes it an exceptionally effective agent for wine coloration. Even minimal quantities can impart a rich, dark purple hue to wines with an otherwise pale or watery appearance.
While most quality red wines are not made with these syrups, identifying their presence is not straightforward. There is no comprehensive list or database of wineries that use these additives, and price alone is not an assurance that your wine is free of them. Experienced wine experts can often detect such ingredients quickly. Although these additives are not necessarily harmful, it’s worth noting that what is in your glass often reflects human intervention and not what nature intended.
Wine is meant to be an experience that expresses its origin, not something masked or altered. If you come across a wine that's unusually dark and reminiscent of thick strawberry goo, stop by JP’s Wine and Spirits to learn more about what your glass truly contains. Cheers to keeping it real!
