Learn — wine aging

   What are tannins? Tannins = Natural polyphenols derived from plants, seeds, bark, wood, leaves, and fruit skins. Polyphenols = complex bonds of oxygen and hydrogen. Idk. Science, man. Essentially, tannins are microscopic solid pieces of plants... They feel astringent and grippy on the palate, particularly on your gums, inside of your cheeks, and tongue. Tannins taste bitter, but think good bitter, like dark chocolate or espresso. So if a wine (particularly red wine) tastes bitter, feels grippy in your mouth, and is drying out your palate, odds are that the wine is high in tannins. If you cannot pinpoint what...

Wine geeks are always talking about oak barrels (French? American? Slavonian?), stainless steel tanks, cement eggs, clay amphorae, and other vessels that only dorks care about. But how does this make a difference in the wine that's in your glass?  Stainless Steel vs Oak vs Concrete & Clay Oak (especially new oak) and stainless steel are on opposite sides of the spectrum, while concrete and clay offer a happy medium... Stainless Steel Helps preserve freshness and acidity (this is why it's so popular for crisp white and rose production) Provides neutral vinification environment, so (unlike new oak) there's no external aromas/flavors...