Monday, August 15, 2011

Tannin in Red Wine


If you like red wine, I’m sure you’re familiar with tannin. That’s the bitter, puckery sensation experienced on the gums when sipping. Tannin in red wine comes from their skins because they’re utilized in the winemaking. White wine doesn’t use the skins so it contains very little if any. Oak barrels can also provide some wood tannin but they are not as aggressive. One of the main reasons red wine is aged after purchase is too soften these grape tannins making them more palatable. However, sensitivity to tannins varies from person to person. What you find tannic, another may not. So the next time you taste a red wine with someone else, compare notes and see where your tannin sensitivity lies.

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