Ethanol makes the wine feel smooth and full-bodied. Ethanol is a very versatile solvent because it has one lipophilic and one hydrophilic end on the same small molecule. The effect is to surround the lipophilic compound with a layer of water. Acids make wine taste lively, refreshing, tart, sour, and feel crisp or puckering like in many kinds of food, soft drinks, or candy. They help inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria and fungi in the wine.
Wine aging is largely due to chemical changes in the tannins.
True or False Ethanol is the ideal universal solvent because we can neither taste nor smell nor feel its presence in or on our bodies. Most states and nations tax the alcohol content of a beverage, adding to its price. Fortified wines are made by fermenting grapes the normal way, and after the fermentation, the alcohol content is increased by the addition of brandy or some other distilled spirit. Fortified wines can be dry or sweet. Port wine is always sweet.