tannins

October 2 – “Round”

by Grape Stomper Todd on October 2, 2010

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (2.0MB)

We roundly reject angular wines in this episode.

Right click to download MP3 file.

On this day in 1950, the Peanuts cartoon strip was first published by Charles Schultz. Considered to be one of the most popular and influential comic strips in history, it had a readership of over 350 million people in 75 countries and 21 languages. Lasting 50 years, it was “arguably the longest story ever told by one human being.” The strip ended in the year 2000 when Charles Schultz passed away.

This leads us to our Wine Word of the Day: Round

Yeah, I mean round like in the roundness of Charlie Brown’s head. Well, sort of. I actually mean to talk about the wine term “round.” But still, I gotta say, the head of Brown was really round. I guess it was all about the subject matter in Charles Schultz’s comics and not the details of his artwork. But I‘m starting to digress.

Let’s get back to wine.

Sure, you can order a round of wine, enjoy wine with a round of appetizers, round up some friends and go tasting, or finish a bottle of port ‘round midnight. But today I want to explain the tasting term, “round”.

Round is a nice trait found in mature red wines that are smooth and have lost their astringent tannins. This term also applies to young wines that exhibit soft tannins and low acidity. All in all, these are mouth-filling wines, with bountiful flavor, and rich texture that are a joy to drink. Such wines never exhibit harshness like Lucy van Pelt does when she pulls the ball away just as Charlie Brown tries to kick it.

Tagged as: acidity, astringent, harsh, round, smooth, tannins

{ 0 comments }

September 18 – “Backbone”

by Grape Stomper Todd on September 18, 2010

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (1.9MB)

Today’s Wine Word of the Day is spine tingling!

Right click to download MP3 file

On this day in 1895, D. D. Palmer of Davenport, Iowa, performed the first chiropractic manipulation. He went on to open a school for chiropractic medicine, which also opened the door for speculation on the validity of the practice. He and his son, along with a few hundred graduates, were arrested for “practicing medicine without a license.”

Ironically, there was a great deal of tension between D.D. and his son B.J, leading to a mystery surrounding the elder’s death. The cause was officially recorded as due to typhoid. But many attest that he was run over by his son during the school’s homecoming parade. No word if drinking was involved.

Which leads us to our Wine Word of the Day: Backbone

Backbone is used to describe a wine with a strong, balanced structure of alcohol, acidity, and tannins. These are usually big, full-bodied, red wines that make you stand up straight and say, “Bring me a steak!”

Wines with firm backbone, will usually age a long time. But when drunk young, these bruisers will stick to your teeth; so pair them with a rich meal. They might not be for everyone, though. So don’t feel like you’re the “Coward of the County” if you don’t order one. If you are feeling a little “yellow”, stick with a nice golden white wine. Ordering water is the spineless option.

Tagged as: acidity, alcohol, backbone, big, full body, tannins, young

{ 3 comments }