Acids in wine ripened grapes. While concentration varies among grape varieties, it is usually found in higher levels with red wine grapes. The acid is created as a byproduct of the metabolization of nitrogen by yeast cells during fermentation. The combination of succinic acid with one molecule of ethanol will create the ester mono-ethyl succinate responsible for a mild, fruit aroma in wines. Acidity is highest in wine grapes just before the start of "veraison", which ushers in the ripening period of the annual cycle of grape vines. As the grapes ripen, their sugar levels increase and their acidity levels decrease. Through the
Phenolic content in wine into wine, most notably vanillin which adds vanilla aroma to wines. Most wine phenols are classified as secondary metabolites and were not thought to be active in the primary metabolism and function of the grapevine. However, there is evidence that in some plants flavonoids play a role as endogenous regulators of auxin transport. They are water-soluble and are usually secreted into the vacuole of the grapevine as glycosides. "Vitis vinifera" produces many phenolic compounds. There is a varietal effect on the relative composition. In red wine, up to 90% of the wine's phenolic content falls under the classification of flavonoids.