What does pH value mean?

The pH value measures how strong the acidity in a wine is; most wines are between pH 3.0 and 3.8, and the lower the value, the sharper the acidity.

Also known as: pH

The pH value measures how strong the acidity in a wine is, not how much acid there is. The scale is logarithmic and runs from 0 to 14, with 7 as neutral. Most wines sit between pH 3.0 and 3.8, and a lower value means sharper acidity.

Two wines can have the same total acidity but different pH, because the various acids differ in strength and the grape also contains minerals such as potassium that buffer the acid. Whites from cool climates are often around 3.0 to 3.3, while reds from warm areas can be above 3.6.

pH affects far more than taste. A low pH makes the wine more stable against bacteria, helps sulphur dioxide protect it more effectively and keeps the colour of red wines brighter and redder. A high pH tends to give a softer taste, a more bluish or brownish tint in reds and calls for more care in the cellar.

On the wine page the pH value is a technical measure for anyone who wants to understand the wine's structure and how it may develop over time. It is best read together with acidity.