No Acid, No Wine
Acid is that unmistakable gush of an expression that ties all of the world’s wines together and stands out as the vital backbone for every ferment, meant to elevate the fruity palate, keep the wine fresh as it gracefully ages and most significantly, charm the palate with sprightly character. Delight in the joy of acidity.
Wine is a living thriving liquid, borne of the terroir that is a convergence of soil, climate, grape and the vital human impact. Wine itself is a collective of four indispensable elements – fruit, alcohol, acid and tannins. Each of these elements play their dutiful role in creating and holding together the wine. Acidity announces itself with sourness but is vital to wine’s fresh character and delicate balance. Like alcohol, acidity is every wine’s veritable backbone, delighting the senses and elevating aromas that define the wine. In wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, it is nearly the USP while for Riesling, it is the very foundation on which the shy and delicate flavours rely and Chardonnay leans on its acidic base to impress with its bounty of stone fruit tones.
Red wines are reliant on acidity too even though these wines undergo the significant process of Malolactic Fermentation that converts malic acid to lactic acid, the hints of acidic freshness compliments the red wine’s core palate, especially for the Pinot Noir that exhibits subtle flavours. The fresh veneer of acid is the indispensable foil for the bold Barolos of Piedmont and the opulent Tuscan styles while northern Rhone Syrah’s rich palate rests on its crisp acidic back. Acidity also plays its role in the ageing of wines, both red and white, as part of the delicate balance alongside fruit, alcohol and tannins. While the latter gradually mature over the years, evolving the wine’s palate, the acidic freshness acts as a natural preservative, retaining the wine’s stability as it takes on a complex style. So the next time, your tastebuds tingle as you sip a chilled NZ Sauvignon Blanc, you’ll know that one of the most enjoyable elements of wine is also perhaps, its most significant. Cheers!
