Malic Acid
Intermediate Chemistry & ScienceDefinition
A sharp, green-apple acid naturally present in grapes.
In Depth
Named from Latin malum (apple). Malic acid is one of the two primary grape acids (with tartaric). It decreases during ripening — cool-climate grapes retain more, contributing crispness. Malolactic fermentation converts malic to softer lactic acid. Wines that skip MLF (Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc) retain malic acid's refreshing bite.
Details
- Category
- Chemistry & Science
- Difficulty
- Intermediate