Acidity gives a wine life and nerve. It should balance the fruit to create a harmonious wine. Acidity is the most important attribute in a wine, especially in those that are versatile food partners. Acid makes us salivate and slices through the fat in food, cleansing our palate and preparing us for the next bite. Some wines undergo a transformation called malolactic fermentation. This process changes malic acid, also called green apple acid, to lactic – or dairy – acid and thus softens the total acidity. Tannins are chemical compounds found in the grape skins, seeds and stalks. They create a bitter, astringent sensation. Some grape varieties have more tannin than others, but the winemaker can manipulate the amount of tannin that is extracted from the grape. Tannins provide the “backbone” for red wines that are meant to age. Tannins break down protein in the mouth and thus become softer with red meats. Black pepper will also mellow tannin. A Note About Oak Many wines (mostly reds) are aged in oak barrels. New oak adds a small degree of tannin to a wine but also helps soften its edges, especially reds with higher tannin levels to begin with. Some whites are barrel fermented and aged, which imbues them with a vanilla-like viscosity and roundness. This “oakiness” often obliterates any nuance or delicacy the wine may have had. Yes, oak adds flavor, but it also masks it. So How Do I Choose? So many wines…so little time. I suggest getting a mixed case of wine and open the bottles with a variety of foods – and some friends! Let your palate be your guide. Wine and food were meant to go together. Dive into that bottle and decide for yourself!
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........................................ Michael Cooperman is the wine manager for Little Canyon Wine & Spirits, a distributor here in New Mexico. He holds the Advanced Certificate in Wine & Spirits from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is actively pursuing a Master of Wine accreditation. Michael currently teaches wine classes in Santa Fe at the Inn of the Anasazi and in Albuquerque for SageWays LLC. For information on classes and upcoming wine events you can contact Michael at mcvinoteca@hotmail.com.
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