Term
Legs (tears)
legz
Pretty, not profound
The streaks that run down the glass after you swirl. They tell you about alcohol and sugar viscosity. They do not tell you if the wine is good.
Tears form because alcohol evaporates faster than water (the Marangoni effect). Thick, slow legs often mean higher alcohol or residual sugar. Fast, thin legs often mean lighter wine. That is the whole secret.
You cannot taste quality from the legs. A 15% hot-climate red and a great Sauternes both sheet down the glass. Look, then put your nose in and decide something that matters.
Swirl anyway — not for the legs, for the aroma.
