Silky
Almost no noticeable grip. The wine feels smooth, delicate and effortless.
Common inPinot Noir, Gamay & lighter red styles
THE OUTCOMES
TANNIN
STRUCTURE. GRIP. DEPTH.
THE FRAMEWORK OF A LASTING WINE.
FORCES CRETE CONDITIONS * CHOICES CREATE OUTCOMES
The Structure of Red Wine
Tannin is what gives a wine its structure, the gentle drying sensation on your gums and tongue that gives red wines their grip, texture and backbone. Think of it as the framework of a building: you don't always notice it, but it holds everything together.
Where do tannins come from?
Tannins occur naturally in grapes and are found mainly in:
Grape Skins
Grape Seeds
Grape Stems
Oak barrels
The winemaker decides how much tannin is extracted during fermentation by controlling how long the juice stays in contact with the skins and seeds. Oak ageing can also add additional tannins and complexity.
What affects tannin?
Both the Forces of nature and the Choices of the winemaker influence tannin. Together, these determine how much tannin ends up in the finished wine and how it feels on the palate.
The Forces
- Grape variety
- Climate
- Vintage
- Ripeness at harvest
The Choices
- Skin contact during fermentation
- Extraction techniques
- Whole bunch fermentation
- Time in oak
- Length of maturation
The Tannin Scale
- Silky
- Soft
- Medium
- FIRM
- Powerful
Soft
A gentle structure that supports the fruit without dominating it. Easy to enjoy while young.
Feels LikeSmooth and approachable.
Medium
Noticeable tannins that add shape and balance. The wine has structure without feeling aggressive.
Feels LikeBalanced and satisfying.
FIRM
A strong tannin framework that gives the wine power and ageing potential. These wines often benefit from several years in bottle.
Feels LikeGrippy, structured and serious.
Powerful
High levels of tannin create a bold, commanding structure. When balanced by fruit, these wines can develop beautifully over decades.
Feels LikeDense, drying and built for the long journey.
Young vs Mature Tannins
Tannins change over time one reason many premium reds improve with bottle age.
Young
Tannins can feel firm, grippy and drying. The structure is present and assertive, still finding its shape.
Mature
Tannins gradually soften and integrate, becoming smoother and more refined while continuing to support the wine's structure.
Tannin in Aurenloch
Tannin is not about making a wine harsh. It is about giving the wine shape, balance and longevity. Some wines are crafted to be silky and immediately enjoyable; others are built with stronger structure to reward patience. Neither style is better, they simply create different experiences.
Tannin is the architecture of a red wine. It supports the fruit today and helps carry the wine gracefully into the future.