Do you know what wine tannins are, and what are their characteristics? We will tell you about them in detail below.
If you have ever been to a wine tasting or listened to someone tasting a bottle, it is likely that one concept in particular has caught your attention: tannins. This component has a notable influence on the sensation that wine leaves in the mouth, and what is commonly known about it is that you have to let it breathe before drinking, but is that true?
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If you want to find out what tannins are and how important they are in the taste of wine, read on! Here we tell you everything you need to know to taste a good bottle.
What are tannins?
Tannins are natural chemical compounds, specifically phenolics, which are present in wine and give it a very characteristic, somewhat bitter taste.
They are usually found in the skin of many fruits and peels, in coffee and in foods such as spinach. They serve to protect fruits from UV rays, although they also have antioxidant and astringent properties, i.e. they cause a certain harsh taste.
However, they are especially noticeable when drinking wine, since they give the bottles that bitter touch so characteristic of the beverage and can be perceived in the middle of the tongue and in the front part of the mouth.
How do tannins get into the wine?
Tannins come from the wine grapes, since they are present in both the skin and the pips and stems of the vine, but they can also derive from wood.
Basically, tannins reach the wine during the process of grape crushing and fermentation, when the must is in contact with these elements that affect the taste of the wine. Therefore, the influence of tannins in wine is directly affected by the time and level of absorption of tannins. If they come from wood, tannins reach the wine when it is stored in barrels and dissolve over time, modifying the flavor of the beverage.
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Types of tannins
Although we have already mentioned that tannins give wine a harsh and bitter touch, in reality there are different types of tannins and each of them modifies the taste of the wine differently. For example, tannins coming from grapes are much more bitter and astringent than those coming from oak, which usually give a touch of vanilla and caramel to the beverage.
In general, we can distinguish between the following types of tannins:
- Dry tannins: these tannins provide dryness when tasted and are generally achieved by using very old barrels.
- Silky tannins: we categorize as silky all those tannins that leave a juicier sensation on the palate.
- Sweet tannins: sweet would be all those tannins with velvety notes and little sensation of dryness.
Properties of tannins
Tannins are not only popular for the characteristics they bring to wine, but they also have healthy functions. In fact, within the plant world, they are what prevents wood from rotting when it rains, for example.
Among the main benefits that tannins bring to the human body are the following:
- They have astringent properties.
- They have anti-inflammatory properties, so they are beneficial in cases of intestinal discomfort.
- They reduce the risk of heart disease.
- They have antioxidant properties, so they are beneficial to prevent premature aging.
- They are used for wine therapy, which is a massage practice in which wine is used.
- They have antiseptic action to protect against bacteria, fungi and viruses.
What do tannins contribute to the taste of wine and how to notice them?
Tannins usually give the beverage a bitter, rough and dry sensation, which can be perceived both on the tongue and on the gums.
When tasting wine, to appreciate tannins you should try to analyze the amount of dryness that the drink brings to your mouth, since it will increase according to its tannic hardness.
To do this, you should simply take a small sip from your glass and hold the wine in your mouth for about 15 seconds. Afterward, you can rinse your mouth with the same wine or let the air in to assess the sensation of tannins on your tongue and gums.
What type of wines have more tannins?
As tannins reach the wine during the fermentation period, the wines that have the most tannins are those that have been in barrels the longest. For this reason, red wines have the most tannins.
In addition, some types of grapes have more tannin than others, such as Syrah, Mencía, Merlot, Malbec, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat, Mouvèdre and Nebbiolo, among others.
How to learn to identify wine tannins?
If you are interested in the world of wine and want to learn how to identify wine tannins, the best thing to do is to visit a winery or take a wine tasting course. There they will teach you all the keys to be able to detect a good bottle and impress your friends at your next meeting.
Don’t miss this opportunity! Contact us and make your tasting or course in the schedule that best suits you.
