Definition: Balance (of a wine)

In white wines, the main sensations that determine balance are acidity and mellowness. The balance of a red wine has an additional characteristic: tannins, which interact by masking the mellowness and synergising with the acidity. But balance also comes from constituents that accentuate tactile and mechanical sensations (tannin, carbon dioxide, glycerol). The quality of a wine results from the harmonious balance between these taste sensations, complemented by olfactory sensations (aromas and bouquet).