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. Giol 'Clarete de Criolla' Criolla 2025 (Low Tannins) This Criolla is a fun and vibrant wine that will look very tempting on a hot day after a couple of hours in the fridge. Call it a dark rosé or a light red, anyway you look at it, this is a delicious wine with tart cherry and strawberry vibes, herbs on the edges, and oodles of fun. 2. Fontana di Tavola Negroamaro Blend 2025 (Medium Tannins) Deep, juicy and full of charm, this red layers black cherry and ripe blackberry with hints of plum and a flicker of blueberry sweetness. There’s a gentle mineral edge running through it, alongside notes of liquorice, black pepper and a touch of warming spice. Smooth and rounded with a lively freshness, it strikes a perfect balance between richness and drinkability, finishing with a soft, peppery lift. 3. Dona Flor Touriga Blend 2025 (High Tannins) This wine opens with expressive aromas of ripe black fruit, dried prunes, and a hint of earthy truffle. On the palate, it’s fresh and well-balanced, with a smooth, supple structure that draws you in. Rich yet approachable, it offers depth without heaviness - a beautifully layered red with both charm and character.