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What's the Deal with Tannins in Wine?


At its core, wine is simple – it's a fermented beverage made from grapes. But wine is much more complicated than it sounds – consider there are entire schools devoted to the study of wine.

One controversial class of ingredients oenophiles study are tannins: oft-misunderstood substances that contribute mightily to the taste and mouth-feel of a wine (and possibly some of wine's harsher characteristics.)

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What are Tannins?

Tannins are a naturally occurring polyphenol – a type of plant metabolite – found in many fruits and other plants. To us, tannins taste dry, bitter, and astringent and are felt in the middle of the tongue or the front half of the mouth. Tannins make up to 50% of the dry weight of plant leaves – unsweetened black tea is an excellent example of what unadulterated tannins taste like. Tannins are the culprits behind the bitterness and dryness in a wine's flavor profile. In wine, the tannins mostly come from the grape skins and stems that red wine is fermented with. (These skins also give wine their color). Therefore, red wine – which uses more grape skins during its production – generally will contain many more tannins than white wine.


Are There Tannins in White Wine?

White wine is produced by removing the skins from the grapes before the winemaking and fermenting process begins. Therefore, white wine has less tannins than red wine. However, white wine can still contain tannins from the other plant-based components involved in its production. Keep that in mind if you are tannin-sensitive; white wine isn't necessarily low-tannin.


What Else Can Add Tannins to Wine?

Other than grapes, wine gets much of its tannins from wood. Wine usually comes into contact with wood during the barrel-aging process. Oak is a fine-grained wood that is popular in winemaking thanks to the unique flavor it imparts on a finished wine. Because of this favorable flavor profile, oak barrels are extremely popular in winemaking. Other sources of wood tannins include tannin powder, wood chips, and wooden staves. That's right – tannins are often added to wine on purpose to change the taste and feel. Wood tannins are generally mellower and subtler than grape tannins. Not only does white wine have fewer tannins than red wine, most of those tannins come from this wood contact during fermentation.

Tannins and the Taste of Wine Every step of the winemaking process affects a wine's taste. For example, the climate of the vineyard can change the thickness of a grape's skin, and that can affect the tannins in the final product. Generally, a tannin-heavy wine leaves a dry feeling in the mouth, and it can also leave notes of dark chocolate, coffee, or even tart berries. Tannins can also make a wine's flavor change over time, even after the wine is bottled. Most experts recommend that tannin-heavy wines should "breathe" for 15-20 minutes between uncorking and serving. Exposing the wine to air helps its flavor to bloom, which softens the harshness of tannins. High-Tannin Wines and Grapes Different types of grapes have different levels of tannins. As mentioned, red wines generally have more tannins than white. Furthermore, some red wine grapes have more tannins than others. Some of the heavier-tannin red wines include Malbec, Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. One of the world's most high-tannin wine grapes is Tannat. Tannat has pucker-inducing levels of tannin-inspired harshness, so it's mostly used in wine blends with other, less tannic grapes. As for food pairings? Tannins balance well with fats and oils. This is one reason why tannin-heavy red wines are often paired with cooked meats and rich cheeses. Low-Tannin Wines and Grapes Low-tannin wines are usually made from grapes with delicate skins. Pinot Noir and Beaujolais (made from Gamay grapes) are two low-tannin red wines available in most supermarkets. Wines from the Mt. Etna region of Sicily are also known to have a delicate, low-tannin flavor. The climate of Mt. Etna is ideal for growing thin-skinned grapes, and the area is therefore known for its subtle reds (and superior whites). Sweet, fruity red wines are low in tannins as well. Lambrusco, Dolcetto, and Schiava are some wines to check out if you're trying to keep your tannin consumption low.

Health Effects of Tannins While alcohol isn't exactly health food, you may have heard that a glass of red wine can be good for you. Some of the health benefits of wine come from its tannin content. Studies suggest that tannic acid has antioxidant and free-radical fighting properties. Tannins are also believed to help reduce high blood pressure and improve your circulation. While these findings may excite a wine enthusiast, it's important to remember that a scientific study is not the same as popping a bottle in the comfort of one's kitchen. The effects of drinking too much negate any benefits of wine, so always enjoy your drinks in moderation. Side Effects of Tannins Although tannins have some favorable properties, too much can be a bad thing. In large amounts, tannins can result in nausea, indigestion, vomiting, and even liver damage. In some sensitive people, tannins can also cause headaches. Are There Tannin Allergies? Researchers disagree about whether tannin allergies exist or people react to another compound in wine. A lot of allergic reactions from wine are likely due to the presence of histamines from the grape skin. Because grape skins are also the source of tannins, it's difficult to determine whether a reaction is really due to tannins. However, a fair number of people are undoubtedly tannin-sensitive. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches when drinking even a small amount of tannin-heavy wines are signs of sensitivity. On the other hand: hives, difficulty breathing, itchiness, and a swollen face are clear signs of an allergic reaction. Whether it's the tannins or another substance causing a reaction, stop drinking immediately and treat an allergic reaction seriously. If you're tannin-sensitive? Your best bet is to avoid foods and drinks with high tannin contents to stay healthy. If you do suspect an allergy, consult an allergist who can help you determine the ultimate cause of any symptoms. Other Foods with Tannins Think you might be sensitive to tannins? Here are several other popular foods and drinks which contain significant amounts:

  • Berries
  • Nuts
  • Legumes
  • Squash
  • Pomegranates
  • Chocolate
  • Cloves and cinnamon
  • Tea and coffee


How to Enjoy Tannins All in all, tannins aren't for everybody. People who experience migraines should probably avoid tannin-heavy wines. And if you are tannin-sensitive, you might be better off avoiding red wine in general. Tannins are incredibly bitter on their own but are still an essential component of wine – both in red wine and white. Tannins give wine body, structure, and depth. Without tannins, wine is something more akin to alcoholic grape juice. To get the most out of the tannins in your wine, don't forget to let your wine breathe before pouring your first glass. Give it a gentle swirl to open up its bouquet. Finally, raise your glass and make a toast to tannins! Gerard Paul writes about food and drink at ManyEats. He counts himself as tannin-sensitive – you will more often find him with white wine than red.


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