Which term refers to the measure of sourness or tartness that contributes to balance and aging?

• A. Mouthfeel
• B. Acidity
• C. Finish
• D. Residual sugar

Answer: (B)

Acidity is the measure of sourness or tartness in wine. It provides the crisp, bright character that helps balance sweetness, alcohol, and tannins, keeping the wine refreshing rather than flat. This sourness comes from natural acids like tartaric and malic, and it also contributes to aging potential because acidity helps preserve the wine and maintain structure as other components evolve over time. Too little acidity can make a wine seem soft or flabby, while too much can make it feel overly sharp. By contrast, mouthfeel is about texture, finish is the lingering aftertaste, and residual sugar is the amount of sugar left after fermentation and affects sweetness rather than the sourness measurement.