Tannin is one of the main components of wine, especially red wine. And while it's best known for its dry mouthfeel, it also influences the longevity and character of wine. Let's find out more about the secrets of tannin in wine.
Tannin: definition
Tannins are antioxidant compounds found in varying quantities in all plants. This polyphenol's mission is to protect them from various toxins.
In the world of vines, tannins are essentially present in in the skin of grapesbut also in the roundup (green part of the grape bunch) and in the grape seed. Some winemakers choose to retain all these parts of the fruit during the vinification process, in order to obtain tannic wines. Others, on the other hand, prefer to remove the stalks and limit contact between the grape juice and the grape skins, to obtain lighter wines.
Generally speaking, tannin levels are much higher in black grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's for this reason that we find a tannic structure much more pronounced in red wines than in white wines.
Good to know: oak barrels, themselves made of plant material (wood), also contain tannins.
Why is the presence of tannins essential in wine?
In viticulture and viniculture, the main role of tannins is to protect grapes, then wine, from oxidation. Thanks to the antioxidant properties of these polyphenols, diseases and parasites do not proliferate. As a result, ripening is of much higher quality.
When it comes to wine tasting, tannin plays a key role. structuring role of the different crus. Tannins offer a unique mouthfeel and give structure to the wine.
However, winemakers need to be very careful, as the wrong dosage of tannins can totally unbalance the wine. Hard tannins will be raspy and unpleasant, while soft tannins will be too discreet. Ideally, you want to achieve tannin levels that are evenly balanced.silky aninswhich give a velvety mouthfeel.
Good to know: young red wines can sometimes have rough tannins that evolve and become rounder with ageing.
Tannins: a component found only in wine?
As we've seen, tannins are present in many plants, as well as in certain foods. In the vineyards, they're found in grape seeds and skins, but you probably also regularly consume grape juice.other sources of tannins :
- Dark chocolate;
- Tea;
- Coffee;
- Fruits (apple, pear, grape, persimmon, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry...);
- Legumes (lentils, some beans, etc.);
- Spices (cloves, cinnamon...)...
After this enumeration, you probably remembered that astringency in the mouth that you feel when eating dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, or biting into an unripe apple. It's the tannins in the food that give you that special sensation.
Are tannins hazardous to health?
Powerful tannins may not always be pleasant to the palate, but they are by no means a health hazard. On the contrary, their antioxidant properties are excellent for your health, and regular consumption of tannins contributes to a healthy good cardiovascular health.
On the other hand, some people are more sensitive to the characteristics of tannins, and may experience headaches or stomach pains after consumption.
Are there wines without tannin?
Like sulfites, tannins are naturally present in grape berriesSo it's impossible to find a wine without tannin. On the other hand, red wines contain less tannin than rosé and white wines.
Visit the role of tannins in wine is essential, but the winemaker's job is to find the right balance for a pleasant, silky tasting experience. Want to learn more about tannins? Why not sign up for a wine tasting workshop?
