FOOD NEWS
Why Pinot Noir Doesn't Age As Well As Other Red Wines
BY Autumn Swiers
Pinot Noir is a fruity, low- to moderate-tannin red wine hailing from France's Burgundy region. Unlike some other red wines, Pinot Noir isn't great for long-term aging.
The reason is its low number of tannins, which act as a natural preservative. Without a firm tannic structure, wines break down as they age.
Pinot Noir grapes have ultra-thin skin, which means fewer phenols, the natural compounds found in the skin and seeds of a grape that lead to tannins during fermentation.
Although Pinot Noir is fermented with its grapes' skin still on, just like other red wines, its low tannins give it poor vintage potential.