Some tasting notes talk about the structure of wine. What is exactly the structure of a wine?
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
Structure is a very useful descriptive term in wine tasting, provided of course that you understand its meaning and application.The structure of a wine is composed of the acidity and tannin in red wine and, normally, only of acidity in white wine. These components are commonly measured in a winery's chemical analysis, although the data are seldom noted on the label. Structure, as the term is used by experienced tasters, is a more general descriptor for these same elements which provide the "frame" or "backbone" of a wine. All wines possess acidity to varying degrees, and many reds have noticeable tannin; however, standard popular wines - the mainstream of the market - are sourced and vinified in ways which make them soft and immediately forthcoming. Wines with structure - Barolo, Brunello, top Bordeaux (Medoc), to name just a few - may be difficult to approach young as they can be sharp (acidic) or astringent (tannic). That structure is also a key factor in their ability to age and develop in bottle.
