CSW Prep - Wine Composition and Chemistry Flashcards
What are the major categories of chemicals found in wine?
Water Alcohol Acid Sugar Phenolic Compounds
The acronym WAASP is helpful to remember what?
The major chemicals found in wine. Water, Alcohol, Acid, Sugar, Phenolic Compounds
What is important to know about water?
Makes up 80-90% of wine.
How much of wine is made of water?
80-90%, typically from the grapes themselves.
Why would winemakers add water to wine?
Intentionally dilute if alcohol or phenolic compounds beyond desired levels.
What is the primary compound in wine?
Water
What is the second major compound in wine?
Alcohol
What is the approximate amount of alcohol commonly found in wine?
10-15%
What are the most common kinds of alcohol found in wine?
Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) Glycerol Methyl Alcohol (Methanol) Fusil Oils (Higher Alcohols
What is the most common kind of alcohol found in wine?
Ethanol.
What is the result of fermentation (Yeast + Sugar = ?)?
Ethanol (Alcohol)
What is the intoxicating element in wine?
Ethanol.
True or False: Ethanol is a volatile compound?
True. meaning that it evaporates easily.
What is a volatile organic compound?
Organic chemicals that have high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature.
What is the subjective reference for alcohol level?
“Body.” Light body wines tend to have less alcohol.
What is the key component that differentiates wine from other forms of alcohol?
Acid.
What type of is most reliant on acid for flavor structure?
White Wine.
What are the principle acids in wine?
Tartaric Acid Malic Acird Lactic Acid Acetic Acid Succinic Acid Citric Acid (CLAMS T)
What is tactic acid?
White crystalline diprotic acid. It has the propensity to form tactic crystals (yes cream of tartar) at low temperatures.
What happens when tactic crystals form?
Crystals will not redissolve into the wine and wine will be noticeably less acidic.
What is malic acid?
Dicarboxylic acid, made by all living organisms, contributes to pleasantly sour taste in fruits.
Associated with green apples.
Where is the most common source of malic acid?
Underripe grapes (think green apple).