WHAT ARE TANNINS?

WHAT ARE TANNINS?

First of all, you have to know what tannins are. In chemical terms, they are phenolic compounds that accumulate in the fruits, bark of plants and trees; these cause both the fruits and the rinds to present a characteristic odor, as well as a bitter and dry taste in the mouth.

Why are there tannins in wine?

Wines contain tannins because the wine grapes and wood (the material from which the barrels are made) have these elements in their composition. Tannin is present in the skin, the seeds and the stems of the vine. During grape treading and fermentation, the must comes into contact with these parts and, therefore, is loaded with tannins, which affects its flavor.

Tannins add bitterness, astringency and complexity to the flavor of the wine. When a person refers to a wine as tannic, it is because of the marked sensation of roughness, dryness and bitterness that it leaves both on the tongue and on the gums.
In addition, their presence influences the aging of the wine: if the concentration of tannin and anthocyanin is high, the wine will be able to age longer, resulting in greater complexity, body and structure.

Tannins have astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why they are very effective in treatments related to intestinal discomfort. In addition, they have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and have antioxidant properties, which suggests that they help prevent premature aging.