Hi E Carl

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 06:50:23 -0500 (EST),
(E. Carl Speros) wrote:

>Dryness is a lack of sweetness.

I'd say that a dry wine is better defined as a wine with a low
quantity of residual sugar.

> As to Tannin vs Acidity, Tannin is an atribute of a good aged red wine, much of it imparted through aging in
>oak barrels

No. Tannins in wine come from stalks/pips/skin, above all skin.
Although oak does contain tannin, not all barrel aging of reds will
increase tannins. It depends on whether it's new oak, or not, how high
an original tannin level you start with and so on. If you don't
believe me go to taste the Hospice de Beaune wines before the Auction
in late November. The wines have just concluded their fermentation in
vats (oak or s/s) and have most certainly NOT had time to absorb
tannins from the wood. If you actualy TASTE young wines, during the
first few months of their lives, you will find that your statement is
in error, I'm afraid.

Furthermore, in the aging process, tannins polymerize and form
deposits, and therefore good aged wines are LESS tannic than theiy
were in their youth. I really don't know where you got such an
erroneous view of red wine evolution, but believe me (and quite a few
of the other more knowledgeable members of the NG) when they tell you
it IS erroneous.

>Too much acidity is like too much lemon in your tea.

Not a bad analogy but then you RUIN it by talking utter nonsense.

> If you want to try one of the most acidic wines in the world try Muscadet from the Rhone Valley.

No. Firstly Muscadet is considered to be a Loire wine not from the
Rhone. Secondly, although bad examples show as quite sharp, they have
FAR less acidity than say a Saar or Ruwer wine from a minor year which
really can sear your mouth! As Dale says, Savennières is often
considerably more acidic.

Generally, please don't be put off from contributing, but you should
perhaps make a little more effort to get your facts right, as Emery
says (and despite his disclaimer, he's no slouch when it comes to wine
knowledge).


All the best
Ian
(To reply by email PLEASE don't use "Reply to" bu
use my name at wanadoo.fr) Thanks.