Tannin and oak

The one thing you shouldn’t expect to find in white wine that you do in red is tannin. Tannin is the flavour and texture that comes from grape skins and pips, and white wines are fermented without these. Tannin levels vary in red wines, according to the grape variety and how the wine is made.

The taste of oak is found in both white and red wines. Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc may be aged in new oak, and have an affinity with the flavour. Riesling and Gewürztraminer are better without a flavour of new oak.