Tartaric Acid makes the wine world go 'round
- Thread starter Oskaar
- Start date
-
Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
-
We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.
Interesting article, thanks for posting it!
Tartaric acid is important in winemaking, but it's not the whole picture, not by any means.
The best book I've read on winetasting is "The Taste of Wine," by Emile Peynaud, in its English translation. Along with his erudite notes on winetasting, he offers a set of conceptual tools in better understanding the *experience* of winetasting, i.e., just the winetaster and his/her glass.
I really like the way he uses architectural metaphors in describing the experience of winetasting. One of them is the way he plays with the meaning of the word "structure." "Balance" is a part of "structure" and in red wine, there is an important balance between tannin, acid (tartaric and malic, also other organic acids such as succinic) and sweetness (residual sugar and alcohol). In white wine, "structure" is the "balance" between acid and sweetness. When all is well, the wine is "supple." And of course, "suppleness" what it means and how it comes across in the tasting experience, varies according to the wine style.
"Structure" is only the foundation. With a good structure, the building is stable and you can enjoy its architectural beauty. Bad structure? The building falls down. I think this is what Peynaud is getting at when he uses "structure" as a metaphor in describing the experience of winetasting. The "balance" of acid, sweetness, and tannin is the "structure" underlying the flavor profile of the wine. "Structure" is important, but there is so much more to enjoying the taste of wine.
Tartaric acid is important in winemaking, but it's not the whole picture, not by any means.
The best book I've read on winetasting is "The Taste of Wine," by Emile Peynaud, in its English translation. Along with his erudite notes on winetasting, he offers a set of conceptual tools in better understanding the *experience* of winetasting, i.e., just the winetaster and his/her glass.
I really like the way he uses architectural metaphors in describing the experience of winetasting. One of them is the way he plays with the meaning of the word "structure." "Balance" is a part of "structure" and in red wine, there is an important balance between tannin, acid (tartaric and malic, also other organic acids such as succinic) and sweetness (residual sugar and alcohol). In white wine, "structure" is the "balance" between acid and sweetness. When all is well, the wine is "supple." And of course, "suppleness" what it means and how it comes across in the tasting experience, varies according to the wine style.
"Structure" is only the foundation. With a good structure, the building is stable and you can enjoy its architectural beauty. Bad structure? The building falls down. I think this is what Peynaud is getting at when he uses "structure" as a metaphor in describing the experience of winetasting. The "balance" of acid, sweetness, and tannin is the "structure" underlying the flavor profile of the wine. "Structure" is important, but there is so much more to enjoying the taste of wine.
I thought that article looked familiar, I posted it 3 weeks ago.
http://www.gotmead.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,103/topic,3609.0
Great minds think a like... some of us are quicker :
Wrathwilde
http://www.gotmead.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,103/topic,3609.0
Great minds think a like... some of us are quicker :
Wrathwilde
I MEANT to do that . . . LOL Damn son, how'd ya slip that one past me!
Good information there. We're in the prep for the crush here in California, and places are gearing up and staffing up, so if you're looking for a job in the wine sector now is the time to apply. They'll need experienced cellar rats, lab hands, IT folks etc. so keep your eyes peeled.
See here for new wine jobs as they are posted.
cheers,
Oskaar
Good information there. We're in the prep for the crush here in California, and places are gearing up and staffing up, so if you're looking for a job in the wine sector now is the time to apply. They'll need experienced cellar rats, lab hands, IT folks etc. so keep your eyes peeled.
See here for new wine jobs as they are posted.
cheers,
Oskaar
Oskaar said:
Father - it's me!!! Does this mean someday I'll inherit Hellstroms Hive Meadworx?
Wrathwilde
