The term Lightstrike, known in French as gout de lumière, translates quite naturally into Turkish as ışık çarpması—a phrase that, to be honest, feels quite fitting. We’ve put together this article to share the concerns of professionals who have carefully observed and evaluated the impact of light on rosé and white wines bottled in clear glass. Perhaps this will even prompt you to reconsider whether some of the unexpected characteristics in the wines you drink might be linked to light exposure.
When discussing Bordeaux bottles, we often highlight the importance of their dark color, emphasizing its role in filtering out harmful UV rays from sunlight. However, while writing this piece, we realized we hadn’t pointed out that Bordeaux-style bottles can also be produced in clear glass. Naturally, the color of the glass is independent of the bottle’s shape, and many white and rosé wines are, in fact, sold in clear Bordeaux-style bottles.
How Does Light Affect Wine?
Research shows that harmful short-wavelength blue and UV light has 300 times more impact on wines stored in clear bottles compared to those in dark-colored glass. But what exactly does this mean for the wine itself?
These light rays trigger certain acid groups, particularly amino acids, causing chemical reactions that can suppress desirable aromas. In some cases, they may even produce unwanted notes reminiscent of garlic or cabbage. The impact isn’t just limited to aroma—light exposure also affects the wine’s color, leading to a noticeable loss in intensity.
The 7-Day Threshold: Lightstrike’s Irreversible Impact on Wine
Studies have shown that the critical exposure period for lightstrike is just seven days. Once a wine has been affected, it cannot regain its original qualities—meaning that all the effort put into its production is ultimately lost.
Renowned rosé wine expert Liz Gabay MW has reported that approximately one-third of the rosé wines she has tasted show signs of lightstrike damage. Despite this, many producers remain reluctant to move away from clear glass bottles. From a marketing perspective, they have a valid point—transparent bottles are visually appealing and have long been a standard choice for display and sales.
However, when considering wine quality, the situation takes a different turn. It’s possible that some wine lovers, unaware that the wines they’re drinking have suffered from light exposure, have already started gravitating toward other alternatives without realizing the reason behind their shifting preferences.
A Simple Solution: Protecting Wine from Lightstrike
Although not yet widely available in our country, alternative packaging materials such as cans and cartons effectively eliminate the risk of lightstrike. For producers who prefer glass bottles, simply switching from clear to dark-colored glass is enough to prevent potential quality issues.
In summary, wines stored in clear glass bottles and exposed to sunlight for extended periods are at a much higher risk of developing off-flavors and losing their intended character. To ensure a better wine experience, perhaps it’s time to share our concerns with producers—so they can factor this risk into their future decisions.
