Alcohol in Wine

Alcohol in wine is a given as it’s a bi-product of fermentation. It provides backbone and weight to a wine’s structure. Today’s selections tend to be much more alcoholic than in the past. Regardless of the reason why, alcohol in wine is basically experienced in two ways. If higher, it can be perceived on the nose giving a sharp pinch on the nostrils. However, it is most commonly experienced on the palate as a warm or hot feeling while the wine is in the mouth and a hot, sometimes burning sensation in the finish. Regardless of what the alcoholic strength of a wine is, it must be harmonious with all the other components or it will stand out somehow and render the wine sharp, hot and unpleasant.