Acidity 101

Discover Acidity in Wine

Acidity is what keeps wine tasting fresh and vibrant. It gives wines a tangy, sour taste, contributing to the overall balance of a wine. A great way to detect the acidity of a wine is by assessing how much it makes your mouth water. For example, think about what your mouth does right when you enjoy freshly picked raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Does your mouth water? 1. Domaine Canet Syrah 2023, Minervois, France (Low Acidity) The low acidity in this French red from the Minervois region makes it so approachable. The Syrah from Domaine Canet is a delicious, bright wine too, bursting with lifted purple fruit, violets and punchy white pepper. This is modern Syrah at its finest, bright and silky with a touch of grippy tannin.

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Now take that punnet of forest berries and boil them with a bit of sugar...it's become candied, rich and jammy. Again does it make your mouth water as much as the fresh berries or less so? 2. Quinta do Casal Branco 'Peter & The Wolf' Castelão Blend 2023, Tejo, Portugal (Medium Acidity) The Tejo region is a fast-rising part of Portugal with some fabulous medium-bodied reds and juicy whites made from unique Portuguese grapes often blended with more international varieties. This is a blend of Castelão, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's ripe, with notes of caramel, anise, spice and subtle leafy notes. Chewy and sinewy in the mouth, with brilliant Starburst ripe fruit from top to bottom.

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Some red varieties like Pinot Noir, Gamay and Barbera are naturally high in acidity. On the other hand, varieties like Merlot or Grenache are typically low to medium. However, you can always pick any grape a bit earlier to deliver more acidity. Let's put this to the test! Try taking a small sip of wine and take notice of how much your cheeks start to roll with saliva. The more saliva you feel dropping, the higher the acidity! Now grab a napkin, for Pete's sake! 3. Hither & Yon Aglianico, McLaren Vale (High Acidity) Aglianico famously makes some of the most brooding and savoury of the southern Italian red wines, and this McLaren Vale red is such a hearty black wine. Powerful, a bit rustic, and seriously intense, it's a red wine of grip and grunt, tarry black liquorice and then a palate that goes for days, with the extra year or so of ageing really softening the edges. All you need is a hearty dish to match!