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+--- Thread: tannins?? (/thread-16096.html)
- fieldsodream - 07-18-2004
I am new and very curious about this expression.
What are tannins?
- Thomas - 07-18-2004
Grape skins, seeds and stems include tannic acid, just like black tea. Tannins in wine are the chemical components that result and remain after fermentation converts the many components in wine (including tannic acid) into versions of what they were in their natural state.
Tannins in wine give wine--especially red--the ability to age because tannin, protects aginst oxidation and maybe even some bacterial infection.
Red wine comes with more tannin than white because red wine is fermented with skins intact as opposed to white wine having the skins removed before it is fermented.
Tannin also helps with the flavor profile that allows red meat and tight, sharp cheese as well as chocolate to pair with some red wine.
Oh yes, tannin is also found in oak. So wines aged in oak come with a dose of tannin from that source--red or white wine.
[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 07-18-2004).]
- fieldsodream - 07-19-2004
Thank you so much for that info!
There sure is alot to learn!
- Bucko - 07-19-2004
Want a good idea of what tannins are? Eat a bit of banana peel or a green banana, bite into grape seeds, suck on a tea bag -- that mouth-puckering feel is tannins.
- fieldsodream - 07-20-2004
Now I get it! Thanks for that descriptive reply!