Tannin 101

How To Detect Tannins In Wine

You can detect tannins by how drying a wine feels — it sometimes feels as if they’ve vacuumed all the saliva right out of your mouth! It’s easiest to notice this sensation on your gums and upper inner lips! Similar to the astringent and drying sensation, you get siping black tea (especially if the tea is cold) or eating a square of dark chocolate. Note: It's important to note the difference between bitterness and astringency. Bitterness refers to taste, whereas astringency refers to the feeling - a tactile sensation.

Pairing Tannin With Food

Tannins were built to pair with rich and/or fatty foods. This is because tannins love to bind to proteins. In fact, if there aren't proteins from something you're eating, tannins will simply bind to the proteins in your saliva! (This is what causes the drying sensation, as the tannins bind to protein molecules in your mouth.) When tannin molecules bind onto proteins, they cancel each other out. It also creates a palate-cleansing effect - your palate won't get tired of the weighty flavours (since they are scraped from your palate) and instead will be stimulated to take another bite! Also, the wine’s astringency counteracts fattiness, creating a perfectly balanced (using the contrasting formula) pairing. The brilliance of a fatty steak paired with Cabernet is not just a classic, it's science! Note: Wagyu steak sold separately!

Three Gripping Thrillers

1. Mouse & Elephant Tempranillo Blend 2025 (Low Tannins) This is a seriously satisfying red that hits all the right notes. The nose is juicy and inviting, with dark plum, blackberry and black raspberry doing the heavy lifting, then ripe cherry adding a brighter, juicier dimension alongside. Leather, cracked pepper and warm earth give it some real depth. On the palate it's exactly what the nose promises: juicy, smooth and beautifully balanced - this is a brilliant showcase for what Utiel-Requena does best. 2. Forte de S. Sebastião 'Grande Reserva' Syrah Blend 2023 (Medium Tannins) Spicy and ripe, this Lisbon red brings together the juicy peppery depth of Syrah with the floral lift of Touriga Nacional. Dark berries and black plum lead the way, backed by a touch of blueberry, cracked black pepper, and a hint of violet. There’s richness here, with pure, vibrant fruit, a gentle savoury edge and a lovely roundness from the oak. It finishes clean and polished, with lingering dark fruit and a subtle spice that invites another sip. 3. I Balzi Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 (High Tannins) Classic Nebbiolo in the glass, showing a lighter ruby hue with vibrant red fruits like cherries, raspberries, and red plum, alongside dried cranberries and herbal whispers. Floral notes of rose and violet add a delicate lift, while oak spices - clove and cedar - bring depth without overt sweetness. Alongside its rich flavour intensity and savoury edge, the wine's structure makes it a compelling, nuanced sip.