Understanding the Structure of Wine

Question 1

What are the four basic structures of wine?

Answer 1

Tannin, Alcohol, Acid and Sugar

Question 2

What does Tannins do to the wine?

Answer 2

Tannin is present in all fruits, with a high concentration in skins, seeds and stems

• provides balance
• gives texture but can lead to astringency
• major preservative in red wines

Question 3

What does Alcohol do to the wine?

Answer 3

-provides balance
-facilitates conviviality
-adds viscosity, weight and an impression of sweetness
-acts as a preservative
Alcohol is produced by fermentation - sugar becomes alcohol and carbon dioxide

Question 4

What does Acid provide to the wine?

Answer 4

• provides balance
• provides lift and freshness
• keeps wine clean(no harmful bacteria are capable of living in an acidic solution)
• also a preservative

Question 5

What does sugar provide to wine?

Answer 5

Sugar builds as fruit ripens.

• provides balance
• highlights fruit flavours
• provides richness

Question 6

What types of acids are there?

Answer 6

Malic Acid(sharp): builds as the grape develops and then deteriorates when the grapes are ripe.
Tartaric Acid: a more stable acid that does not deteriorate at ripening as fast as malic
Lactic Acid(soft): a product of malolactic conversion
Citric Acid(sharp): Present in most fruits, but not a major component of grapes
Acetic Acid: The largest contributor by far to volatile acidity.