![]() Cabernet, merlot, grenache, and malbec are all lower-acid red wines. Which wine is least acidic? Red wine varietals are generally less acidic than white wines. Bottling wines that are lower acid is a delicate balancing act. The lack of acid has stripped it of some of its depth. Wine enthusiasts call this a “flabby” wine. A well-balanced wine is a combination of acid, sugar, tannin, and alcohol, the key components of wine.Ī wine with a high pH and low acidity level can fall flat or lack structure. A high level of acidity doesn’t mean it’s a bad wine. How to Detect Acidity in WineĪcidity in wine is something you look for when tasting wine for the first time. If you’d like to save a wine for a special occasion, though, go for higher acidity for better results. Note: The vast majority of wines are meant for drinking within a year or 2 after you buy them at the wine shop. Both tannins and acidity act like natural preservatives for wine. In the worst case scenario, wines without enough acidity can oxidize, or essentially go bad. Wines high in tannins and acidity will then age better. When they’re not given enough time to age, it can result in a bitter mouthfeel on your palate. These are wines high in tannins, like resveratrol-rich red wines. You can assume the same for wines with a high astringency level. That means less of a sour taste when they’re finally popped. Wines with a high acidity meant for aging may mellow out over time and improve. As wine ages, its initial acidity decreases. Most wine experts agree that acidity is an important component in the drinkability of aged wines. The process is also common in chardonnay, especially when winemakers want those buttery notes. ![]() Most red wines go through this process to tone down the tart malic acid in grapes in favor of milder lactic acid. Outside of wine’s natural ingredients, a winemaker can adjust the acidity in wine through a process called malolactic fermentation. A winemaker can then pick grapes earlier or later in the season based on their desired end product. Grapes allowed to ripen longer on the vine are higher in sugar but lower in acid. This red wine is full-bodied with low acidity. Sunny skies and hot temperatures in warmer climates increase both the sugar content and pH levels of grapes on those vines.Ĭlimates that get a little bit of both, like the hot days and cool nights of wine regions in Argentina, often result in red varietals like malbec. Warm climate grapes are usually lower acidity. Grapes from cooler climates have a higher level of acidity. Some winemakers add tartaric acid to boost the acidity of these grapes to keep flavors in balance. Grapes grown in potassium-rich soil can bump up the pH of the harvested fruit. Grapes have different types of acids like malic and tartaric acid, the two most prominent acids in wines.įrom there, where the grapes grow affects acidity levels. Wine is naturally acidic, no matter the grape variety. Read Next: 12 Non-Alcoholic Wine Substitutes for Cooking With Wine Why is wine acidic? ![]() Wines with a high total acidity will typically have a low pH. It tells you the total amount of acid in a bottle of wine. Total acidity, or titratable acidity, is a different measure than pH. If you’re watching both the acid and sugar in your drinks, be sure to read the labels. That likely means you’re dealing with high sugar content. Some wines and beverages like sodas have a high acidity despite their sweetness. It isn’t always about how sour something tastes, although sourness is a good indicator of acidity. Wine is comparable to citrus juices or juices high in citric acid when it comes to pH level, with an average pH of 3-4. We’ll get into specific wine grapes and varietals in a bit, but here are a few examples of where common beverages fall on the pH scale: A low pH or pH below 7 means something is acidic. Water is a level 7 and considered neutral on the pH scale. Soap (pH level 12), bleach (pH level 13), and basically everything with chemical makeup all has a place on the pH scale. It isn’t just about things you consume, either. The pH scale is a way to measure the intensity of acidity in a liquid or an object. ![]() Food and Wine Pairings to Balance Acidity Understanding the pH Scale
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