Wine Composition & Chemistry Flashcards
A type of secondary alcohol
Glycerol
An acid produced via the conversion of malic acid
Lactic acid
An acid with a slightly bitter, slightly salty flavor
Succinic acid
Can appear in a wine glass when there are high levels of alcohol or sugar
Legs
Has little or no sensory impact on the majority of quality wines
Citric acid
The acid found in most types of vinegar
Acetic acid
The component that makes up 10-15% of the volume of most wines
Ethyl alcohol
The compound that makes up 80-90% of the volume of most wines
Water
The most prevalent of the acids found in grapes and wine
Tartaric acid
A sharp-tasting acid often associated with green apples
Malic acid
Of the six main acids found in wine, list those that are typically found in unfermented grapes.
Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, and Succinic Acid
Of the acids typically found in grapes, which are found in very small quantities?
Citric Acid and Succinic Acid
Which acid is known to cause deposits known as wine diamonds?
Tartaric Acid
What is the name of the winemaking process that, in addition to changing a wine’s acid components, often provides wines with a creamy texture and buttery aroma?
Malolactic fermentation
What measurement is used to define the volume of all acids present in a wine?
TA - Total acidity
What does pH measure?
The combined chemical strength of all acids present
What is a typical pH measurement of a highly acidic wine?
2.9 (considering the normal range of wine pH ranges from 2.9 - 3.9)
What pH measurement would you expect to find in a low-acid wine?
3.9 (considering the normal range of wine pH ranges from 2.9 - 3.9)
What are the two main fermentable sugars found in wine grapes?
Glucose and Fructose
What term is used to describe a wine that does not contain any detectable sugar?
Dry
Yellow pigments found in white wine
Flavonols