The word ‘smooth’ is a common descriptor that has been bandied in wine linguo. The only problem is that it sounds vague when not properly described. Well, not anymore. This article will explore what people mean when they describe wine as smooth. We will start first by describing the five key structural components of wine and then what makes wine smooth.
Five Key Structural Components of Wine
Wine has five structural elements, and the interaction of the various elements gives the wine its unique flavour profile. So, let’s look into the five most important components of wine individually.
1. Sweetness
The use of the word ‘sweetness’ causes a bit of confusion because while wine is made from fruit, not every wine is sweet. In this regard, sweetness refers to the level of sugar that is still present in wine.
2. Alcohol
Alcohol is a critical constituent structural element in wine. It enhances the aromas, provides complexity of flavour, and acts as a preservative, which enables wines to be stored for a longer time. Besides, alcohol has the effect of warming the palate. If you would wish to purchase wine, consider Seven Cellars, a wine shop focused on curating unique and hard-to-find wines.
3. Acidity
Have you ever tried to munch a lemon fruit and then suddenly felt the zap? Acids are usually responsible for that. The acids found in wine directly influence the colour and taste of wine. Malic, citric, and tartaric are some of the main acids present in wine grapes, depending on the variety. Wine has an approximate pH ranging from 3. 3 to 3. 7.
4. Body
The body describes the entire weight of the wine. This overall weight is a result of the combination of various factors such as residual sugar, tannin, alcohol, and acids.
5. Tannin
Tannin is found on the skin, stem, and grape seeds. Tannin adds texture and balance to the wine, and it causes a harshness and drying sensation on the tongue. Tannins can also be found in wood barrels, and wine high in tannins can age for decades.
What Makes Wine Smooth?
Finally, it’s time to answer the big question: what makes wine smooth? The answer lies in the balanced levels of tannins and acidity. Still confusing, tannins play a key role in the texture and taste of wine, which is known to cause a drying sensation in the mouth, while acidity gives a sharp sour taste to the wine. So, if tannins and acidity are high, they will mask the natural flavour profile of the wine. So then, since structural elements such as tannins and acidity are important, smooth wines are all about balance and harmony of all the five structural components.
Final Thoughts
Smooth wines are easy to drink because they work with the principle of balance and harmony between the five structural components of wines, which are sweetness, acidity, body, alcohol, and tannins. So, the next time you are out on a Friday night, you can accurately identify which wine is smooth, order it, and flex in front of your friends or colleagues.
