What are the tannins ?

In wine, the tannin is an element of texture that makes the taste of the wine is rough . Well, this definition leaves much to be desired, not too clear , we will see it more in depth.

Tannin is a subdivision of polyphenol chemicals found in plants, seeds, bark, wood , leaves and fruit skins . Approximately 50% of the weight of the ( dry ) are leaves of a plant tannins. As a feature of the wine , tannin adds both bitterness and astringency and taste complexity . Tannins (for wine ) , are most commonly found in red wine , but white wines are also due to its aging in wood.

Where do ?

The tannins in wine come from two locations : wine grapes and wood.

Grape Tannins

They come from the skins , seeds and stalks of grapes. For this reason , red wines tend to have more of tannins than white wines , since prolonged contact of the skins with the juice given enough time so that they partially dissolve.

Some types of wine have more tannins than others, for example , varieties nebbiolo , cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo are varieties with high concentration of tannins.

The tannins in the wood

The wood tannins are dissolved in wine through contact ; course this happens when the wine is stored in oak barrels . Oak barrels are the most used option because of the flavors and qualities that give the wine . An oak barrel can be used in winemaking to 70 years.

What contributes tannin flavor ?

Tannin gives a dry , rough, rough , astringent taste and can be especially noticeable in the middle of the tongue and the front of the mouth. The black ( without sugar) tea is a great example of pure tannin dissolved in water.

Foods rich in tannins

• Tea Leaves

• Walnuts , almonds and walnuts ( with skin)

• black Chocolate

• Cinnamon , cloves and other spices

• Pomegranates , grapes and berries

• Quince

• Beans

Variety

It is useful to remember that the style and vinification process greatly affects the amount of tannins that will have a wine.

Varieties with more tannins

• Tannat

• Nebbiolo

• Cabernet Sauvignon

• Tempranillo

• Montepulciano

• Petit Verdot

• Petite Syrah

Varieties with less tannins

• Barbera

• Zinfandel * or

• Primitive *

• Garnacha

• Pinot Noir

A Short Guide To Merlot Wine

Merlot is a classic type of grapes that is used to produce delicious first-class wine. Originally planted in Bordeaux, France, merlot is now also grown in Italy, U.S.A., Chile, Australia, Romania, etc. In fact, merlot is the fourth wine grape type in terms of world coverage.

The taste

Merlot wine is the perfect choice for new red wine lovers due to its one-of-a-kind softness and silky, balanced taste. This delicious red wine is rich in fresh fruit flavours including blueberries, cherries, plums, blackberries as well as herbal flavours. Actually, there is a lot more to discover about Merlot, depending on the region where the wine is produced. Here’s a short Merlot wine guide to help you select the right wine for your special occasion.

Cool climate Merlot

Cool climate Merlot wine is produced in France, Italy, and Chile. This variety of Merlot wine features a higher presence of tannins, which makes the wine more structured. Cool climate Merlot drinkers can taste not only fresh fruit flavours but also tar and tobacco.

Warm climate Merlot

This Merlot variety is produced in California, Argentina, and Australia. The presence of tannins in warm climate Merlot is less obvious. This wine tastes like fruit but one can also appreciate the notes of chocolate, mocha, cocoa, and flowers. Experts state that some wine makers use special oak treatment to make sure Merlot has more structure.

Food pairing

Due to its easy-drinking character and moderate acidity, Merlot wine is really versatile in terms of food pairing. Be it poultry, red meat, pork, salads, pasta or even hamburgers you’re going to serve, your guests will definitely appreciate a glass or two of Merlot.

If light, fruity warm climate Merlot is your choice for a special occasion, you can be pretty flexible in terms of food pairing. Herbed chicken and Italian tomato-based dishes are the perfect match. If you opt for deep, velvety Merlot wine, consider cooking roast beef, roast lamb, grilled pork, steak, or other rich dishes. Offer a plate of cheeses to complement the wine.

All things considered, Merlot wine with its medium-bodied, balanced and easy taste can complement any occasion, whether you’re eating pizza, steak, or pasta. A tip from gourmands: too spicy foods, fish and leafy greens may not be right to team with Merlot

The food & Wine

The food that is consumed with wine has an effect on the way in which the wine knows, can the wine also have an effect on the taste of the food. The purpose of the harmonization of food and wine is to take advantage of those effects, so that both food as wine give more pleasure than that would be if they were consumed separately. Knowing these effects will help to avoid negative interactions or unpleasant.  In addition to understanding the basic taste interactions between wine and food, It is important to remember that people have different sensitivities to different the flavor and aroma components. This means, for example, that the same level of bitterness can affect a much stronger way than to another person (this does not) It is the same as the personal preferences; Some people like the  While strong reactions that others seem to them unpleasant). The harmonies, Therefore, should take into account the preferences of persons, as well as also the basic interactions between wine and food.