Thinking About Drinking
Ever taken a sip of wine and felt your mouth instantly water like you just bit into a lemon? Or maybe you’ve noticed some wines feel crisp and zippy while others are soft and mellow? Welcome to the wonderful world…
When someone says a wine’s tannins are softening, they’re talking about a transformation in texture. Young tannins can feel astringent—grippy, drying, or even bitter. As a wine ages, those same tannins mellow out. They start to feel smoother, rounder, silkier. Less like a sandpaper handshake and more like a velvet hug.
Why do some red wines make your mouth feel like the Sahara desert? The answer is tannins—and here's everything you need to know.
Last Friday, I had the chance to attend my first big wine industry event—the Wine Spectator Grand Tour. Sure, I’ve done dozens of wine classes and comparative tastings, including a handful of walk around tastings but nothing with nearly the…