What are the tannins in wine?

Have you ever drunk wine and noticed that feeling of dryness in the mouth and absence of salivary secretion?

Sure it does, but what you didn’t know is that there is someone responsible for this happening: tannins.

Lately, this concept is heard a lot in conversations around a bottle, in the tastings of wine or in the “great experts” that nest in the bars.

So, if you want to be up to date and become a oenologist, find out more about this component.

What are tannins?

Tannins are a natural chemical found in wine, since it comes from the most solid parts of the grape such as the skin, skins and seeds, and also from the wood of the barrels. Another fact about tannins is that they are much more in the red wines than in whites. This dryness in the mouth is usually characteristic of this type of wine.

The maturation of the tannins is one of the most important parts In the evolution of the product, a lot already influences its quality.

Its presence in the mouth is very easy to recognize, as it gives that dry and vegetal touch on the palate, while the acidity is responsible for bringing freshness and making us salivate. Differentiate these terms!

In addition, there are people who interpret these as something negative when it is the opposite. If you are presented with a wine whose tannins are kind or noble, You’re in luck because it will be a great wine!

We show you 2 types of tannins and how to appreciate them!

To appreciate this substance, either in a tasting or in your home kitchen, you must take a small sip and hold the wine for about 15 seconds, which is the time when the tannins are most noticeable.

From here, we can see what type of tannin we find:

• If a sensation of dryness appears in the mouth and it is difficult (almost) for us to swallow saliva, it may be for two reasons: that the hardness of the tannin is accompanied by an aroma of old wood, which implies having used very old barrels, or that the hardness has hints of greenery, which means that there is an excess of maceration of the grape.

• If after those 15 seconds, or before, it becomes acidic, almost salty and leaves the palate juicy, it is said that these tannins are silky and show us a wine with storage capacity.

You have already learned something more about the particular world of oenology and its tannins …

Now you just have to surprise your friends with your knowledge and leave them speechless!