Yes, you are right I’m talking about Tannins or Tannins in wine to be exact. I am a massive fan of Tannin structure. I do love the feeling of gripping tannins, it feels like invisible fingers have grabbed hold of your palate. The best way I can think of to describe Tannins, if you are unsure what the hell it is I’m talking about is to think of biting into a grape seed and the drying affect that it has in your mouth.
While tannins exist in grapes, what I am actually interested in, are the tannins that are found in wine. There is a difference. Wine tannins come from grape skins, stems and seeds, and their extraction is heavily dependent on the particular winemaking process involved. Red wine that is left to hang out with its skins and seeds and stalky bits for a while and then enjoy the process of pumping over, will have a higher level of ‘Tannin” in the finished product than a wine that is purely crushed and the free run juice goes straight into tank or barrel.
Pumping over is a fun exercise if you ever get the chance to take part, known as remontage in french circles. It is the method of literally “pumping over” the juice that is sitting in the bottom of the tank in a figure 8ish motion, with a big pogo stick like device known as a plunger. The whole point is to extract as much colour and tannins from the skins and seeds and bits of stalk that are sitting there, forming what is known as the “cap” ( pumping over is also helpful to the yeasts that are doing their bit whilst hanging out with the skins).
Tannins are also very helpful to the finished product, we all love to drink so much, as it helps with the aging process. A red wine that has little or no tannins has been made in its youth, whereas a red wine with massive bold gripping Tannins will have a shelf life of many, many years.
So the next time you have a glass of red wine take a second and think about what us wine snobs call the mouth feel. Is there a slightly drying sensation, if so what does it feel like? There are many descriptors of Tannin sensation – chalky, smooth, velvety, harsh, gripping, fierce, fun.
If it feels like any of these I say turn to whoever is sitting next to you and proudly say as loud as possible
“I don’t much care for the nose, but the Tannins are delightfully chalky”!!
MOV xx
