Phenolic content in wine the ellagic and gallic acid found in the wood. In the vineyards, there is also a growing distinction being made between "ripe" and "unripe" tannins present in the grape. This "physiological ripeness", which is roughly determined by tasting the grapes off the vines, is being used along with sugar levels as a determination of when to harvest. The idea is that "riper" tannins will taste softer but still impart some of the texture components found favorable in wine. In winemaking, the amount of the time that the must spends in contact with the grape skins, stems and seeds will influence
Wine Grapes franc may have originated in Basque country of Spain. Additionally the origins of the assumed to be French varieties of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Carignan are shown to likely be Spanish instead. Another detail revealed by DNA testing and reported in "Wine Grapes" is that several northern Italian white wine grape varieties including Favorita, Pigato and Vermentino are genetically the same grape vine which is known under the synonym of "Rolle" in France but has no genetic relationship to the Rollo grape of Liguria. A number of grape varieties are illustrated by reproductions of colour plates from "Ampélographie. Traité général de