What are tannins in wine?

If you’ve ever taken a sip of red wine and noticed your mouth suddenly feels a little dry, slightly grippy, or almost fuzzy = you’ve just met tannins.

Tannins are one of the most misunderstood parts of wine, but once you understand them, they become one of the easiest ways to understand why wines taste the way they do.

So what exactly are they?

Tannins are natural compounds found in grape skins, seeds and stems. They’re also found in oak barrels, tea leaves and even dark chocolate. Underripe and they can provide a bitter taste. In nature, they can act as a protective mechanism for plants to avoid being eaten when underripe and can be a form of protection for the plant.

Their main job in the taste of wine is to provide structure.

Think of tannins like the frame of a house. Without them, a wine can feel soft and simple. With them, wine feels more serious, structured and age-worthy. Varying levels of ripeness, variety, site impact, and winemaking will all have an influence on how tannins in a wine are perceived, and in turn how the wine tastes.

Generally speaking:

• Young Cabernet Sauvignon or Nebbiolo = high tannin
• Barossa Shiraz = medium to high tannin
• Pinot Noir = lower tannin
• Most white wines = very little tannin

Why does it matter?

Tannins are one reason some wines age beautifully for decades. Over time, tannins soften and become smoother, which is why older wines often feel more elegant.

A good trick to understand tannin is to drink strong black tea.

That drying sensation on your gums? That’s tannin.

The next time you open a bottle of red, pay attention not just to flavour — but to texture. Wine becomes much more interesting once you start noticing structure. It makes up one of the most important elements when professionally assessing the quality of a wine.

FAQ

What do tannins taste like?
Tannins don’t really have flavour — they create a drying texture in your mouth.

Which wines have the highest tannins?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Syrah often have naturally high tannin levels.

Continue Learning:
→ What Does Acidity Mean in Wine
→ Shiraz vs Cabernet Sauvignon
→ How to Judge Wine Quality