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
The Fox and the Grapes of this transposition to the human situation hinges on the double meaning of 'unripe' ("vert") in French, which could also be used of a sexually immature female. From this emerges the story's subtext, of which a literal translation reads: There is the same sexual ambiguity in the Greek of Babrius. The phrase there is "όμφακες εισίν" ("omphakes eisin"), the word "omphax" having both the literal meaning of an unripe grape and the metaphorical usage of a girl not yet ripe for marriage. Rather than admit his failure to reach the grapes, the fox rationalises that they are not really desirable.