What are tannins, acidity and alcohol and how do we detect them in wine?
A. Tannins are what we feel on our gums and the middle of the tongue when they feel ‘scratched’ or ‘having a furry coat’. They are only to be found in red wines. Acidity, a chief white wine constituent, is detected by the left and right edges of our tongue. A good example would be to try any cola in the market to feel how acid reacts on the tongue. Do NOT, under any circumstances borrow from your friends chemistry set to experience the same! Alcohol if present in extremely high quantities gives a hint of lingering sweetness on the lips. However in case a wine is unbalanced, then the alcohol becomes apparent by the burning sensation felt in our throat after we down a sip. Generally we do not need to comment on any of these elements unless they be in discord and take away the harmony and mellowness of the wine.
