Have you ever wondered what the difference is between red and white wine? In short, it’s tannin and acidity. They are two of the most dominant factors in choosing a wine. Red wines have tannin at varying levels that affect the “astringency” of the wine. White wines have the acidity that affects the “crispness.”
What is tannin?
Tannin is one of those factors that people either love or hate. It causes that dried-out, mouth-puckering sensation in wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. It’s also present in softer red wines such as Valpolicella or Pinot Noir, but at the lower level in these wines, that dried-out sensation is not as noticeable.
Tannin comes from the grape skins, seeds, and stems as well as the addition of oak. The longer the grape juice is left in contact with the skins after crushing, the more tannin is extracted. Also, each grape has its own intrinsic level of tannin.
So, we can say that, in general, a Cabernet Sauvignon will have more tannin than a Pinot Noir. However, if the winemaker chooses to leave the Pinot Noir skins in contact with the juice for more extended periods, he can increase the tannins that way. But traditionally, that’s not the case.
Here then is a guide to some of the more popular red wines, sorted from the highest amount of tannin to lowest, according to their grapes properties:
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Nebbiolo/Barolo
- Merlot
- Malbec
- Chianti
- Pinot Noir
- Valpolicella
What about the level of acidity?
White wines are typically arranged by their level of acidity. Sauvignon Blanc grapes have a high level of acidity and produce a very dry, crisp wine. Liebfraumilch tends to have a low acidity level and comes across as soft and easy to drink. That’s not to be confused with a dry wine with regards to residual sugar. Even a Sauvignon Blanc can be sweetened and still be quite crisp.
White wines sorted from highest acidity to lowest would look like this:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
- Liebfraumilch
If you want to try making your own red or white wine, book an appointment with us today to get started!