Wine Tannins: What's Good, Bad, and Better?

That bitter, astringent taste in a glass of red comes from wine tannins. So, are they good? Bad? And, how do you find wines with smooth tannins? Let’s break down this important trait found primarily in red wines so that you can find more wines that you love.

Tannins Are Good For You

The good news is grape tannins contain exceptionally high levels of antioxidants. The bad news? Wine tannins taste astringent and bitter.

Some of the polyphenol compounds (aka tannins) we've found in grapes are used in high end vitamins. Need some examples? Resveratrol, Epicatechin, Catechin, and Ellagitannin.

How to Find Your Style

There are several factors that affect the taste and astringency of tannin in wine.

• Grape Variety
• Ripeness level
• Climate
• Winemaking method