What's that at the bottom of my wine glass?

The last few days, I've been using wine frozen in an ice cube tray as an alternative to ice cubes in my wine. (Okay, yes, ice cubes in my wine. Hey, it's a heat wave). I have enjoyed drinking wine cold and undiluted, but I've noticed a half teaspoon or so of sediment collecting at the bottom of the glass after 4 or so ice cubes have melted into the wine. Does anyone know what this sediment is?

Katie wrote:The last few days, I've been using wine frozen in an ice cube tray as an alternative to ice cubes in my wine. (Okay, yes, ice cubes in my wine. Hey, it's a heat wave). I have enjoyed drinking wine cold and undiluted, but I've noticed a half teaspoon or so of sediment collecting at the bottom of the glass after 4 or so ice cubes have melted into the wine. Does anyone know what this sediment is?

I think the sediment must be the original solutes from the wine. At low temperature, solubility of the wine decreases, hence precipitation (of the saturated solutes) occurs. It's just like how you can dissolve a lot of sugar in a glass of hot water, but as the water cools down, sugar would start reappearing again.

Hi,

It's tartaric acid crystals which form when the wine is cooled. It doesn't affect the taste of the wine which can be decanted.

Tim