Acidic beverages

Most guys don’t like acidic wines and it’s probably genetic. So here’s a trick for controlling acid in a Sauvignon Blanc or any other white grape wine with too much acid.

• Have your first sip and then leave it for 15 seconds. At this time your mouth is full of saliva and in that saliva there are numerous enzymes breaking down the acids. This is a natural physiological process because acid is toxic to the stomach. The brain detects the acid in the mouth and instigates the control response.
• After the 15 seconds, the acid in your wine is under control, it will stay under control for the rest of your meal.

Some other drinks also have too much acid, some beers and ciders for example. Do the acid trick and they become so much better!

Tannic beverages

Some red wines like Shiraz have lots of tannin. Again, the tannins are toxic to the stomach. So we do the tannin trick!

• High tannin wines take about 25 seconds after the first sip for them to become under control. Same process at work. This is most useful for women wine drinkers because again, it appears to be genetic. Most women don’t like tannin and you will see this is reflected in their choice of wines.
• After the first sip, leave the wine for 25 seconds and then try your second sip. You will find that the Tannins will be less and the flavours will be greater.
• If the wine has an acid component like some Pinot Noirs this will also be under control.
• Leave the wine for another 15 seconds and your next sip will have very low tannin and most of the flavours of the wine.

Whilst acids and tannins are a natural part of wines and are essential components of a cellared wine, they really are barriers to good taste wine. 

Wine should taste good and acids and tannins don’t help.