Polymerisation

Term (also polymerisation or polyreaction) for the chemical reaction in which monomers (individual parts), usually unsaturated organic compounds, react under the influence of catalysts to form polymers (multiple parts). In simple terms, small molecules combine to form large molecules. The polymers are thus long molecular chains of monomers that are linked together. A distinction is made between homo-polymerisation, in which only one type of monomer is reacted, and co-polymerisation, in which different monomers react.

Polymerisierung - Graphik

Clumping

Polymerisation is the "caking" (clumping) of microscopically small particles in the wine, which are then precipitated. This means that they sink to the bottom during bottle maturation and form part of the deposit. There are reactions between acetaldehyde, anthocyanins (colouring agents), oxygen and tannins, although not all substances are always involved. The reaction between anthocyanins is called co-pigmentation. These processes turn simple phenol molecules into complex tannin (tanning agents) and pigment polymers (colouring agents).

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Polymerisation

Clumping

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