By Henry Klein
Many people assume the longer you keep a wine, the better it will get. So, how long do you keep a wine before drinking it? Many factors impact how long a wine should be held before drinking, including the type of grape used, how the wine was produced, how the wine was stored, and of course, personal preference.
It is important to recognize that many of the wines sold today are ready for consumption within one to two years. In general, more expensive wines are usually designed to become better with age. Most inexpensive wines do not benefit from aging, and it is just as possible to age a wine for too long, as it is to age it for too little a time.
Wines improve with age because of the tannins found in the seeds and skins of the grapes. Tannins are the astringent and bitter group of compounds that give wine an agreeable astringency (that slight “pucker” feeling) and impart great aging potential to wine by slowing oxidation. Red wines are fermented with grape skins, while white wines are fermented without the skins. This is why it is generally red wines that may benefit from aging, while most white wines are intended for drinking within two to three years after the vintage date (although some tannins can be added to white wines through barrel aging).
The following suggestions are provided as a guide only, and assumes proper storage conditions of the aging wines. The number of years mentioned is years from the vintage date on the wine. As previously mentioned, there are many factors that can affect how a wine ages. Perhaps the best approach is to buy several bottles or a case of wine you wish to age. Store the wine properly, and when you reach the most likely age of being drinkable, try a bottle. Depending on the results, either drink the other bottles or try it again at a future date. It is a good idea to keep notes on how the wine is changing and developing, especially in aroma, flavors and astringency. Obviously, there is an inherent risk with aging, but then that’s part of the fun!
Henry Klein III is owner of Cabernet Café, 1814 Western Avenue, Guilderland. For more information call 452.5670 or visit www.cabernetcafe.com.
Red Wines
Beaujolais—Beaujolais, produced from the Gamay grape, usually produces easy drinking, low tannin, fruity wines.
up to $12 These fruity light wines are best when served quite young.
$12 to $25 These tend to be at their best 3-5 years old.
Bordeaux Red (Medoc)—These wines are typically made from Cabernet Sauvignon and have the same aging profile.
up to $12 Drink in the short term. Hold for a few months or even a year, they are usually ready to drink when you get them.
$12 to $25 Drinkable when purchased, but these wines may improve 5-6 years from the vintage date.
$25 and up These wines are likely to improve with age. Look for 7-15 years of improvement; a few will age for decades.
Cabernet Sauvignon
up to $12 Drink in the short term; they are usually ready to drink when you get them. Hold for a few months or even a year.
$12 to $25 Drinkable when purchased, but these wines may improve 5-6 years from the vintage date.
$25 and up These wines are likely to improve with age. Look for 7-15 years of improvement, a few will age much longer.
Merlot—Merlot is a close cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a similar aging profile, but matures more quickly.
up to $12 Drink in the short term. Hold for a few months or even a year; they are usually ready to drink when you get them.
$12 to $25 Drinkable when they are purchased, but these wines may improve 3-4 years from the vintage date.
$25 and up Likely to improve with age. Look for 5-12 years of improvement, a few will age longer.
Pinot Noir—Pinot Noir loses much of its fruitiness as it ages and gains complexity. Not everyone may appreciate this. It may also go through phases where
the aromas and flavors seem to disappear for months.
up to $15 Drink short term —a year or less.
$15 to $25 Drinkable at purchase, but will age and gain complexity within 2-4 years.
$25 and up Usually benefits from age, 5-8 years is reasonable. Some special wines (Grand Cru Burgundies) may age for many years.
Syrah/Shiraz—Most newer wine drinkers know Shiraz as an Australian product. It is usually made there in a soft fruity style, although exceptions do exist. More experienced drinkers know that the grape has long been used in Rhone Valley of France where it is usually made in a bigger style and blended with other grapes.
up to $12 Should be consumed within 1-2 years from purchase; no benefit from aging.
$12 to $25 Most should benefit from 3-5 years of age.
$25 and up Special wines like the Grange, from Australia can benefit from a decade or more of age
White Wines
Chardonnay—Most should be consumed when the wine is young. Special vineyards can produce special wines with aging potential.
up to $12 Drink upon purchase; no benefit from aging.
$12 to $25 Drink at 3-5 years from the vintage date.
$25 and up Some can age for 4-8 years depending on the wine. Chardonnays that have fully gone through malolactic fermentation have greatly reduced life spans. Malolactic Chardonnays have a smell of butter and an unusually golden color when young.
Chenin Blanc—Chenin Blanc has high acids and can produce wines that age well, but usually do not. Most are not designed to age over long periods.
up to $12 Drink within 3 years from the vintage date.
$12 to $25 Drink within 5 years from the vintage date.
Riesling—Most people discover Riesling in the lower to middle grade of German wines. It can be one of the best white wine grapes for aging, but only the best (and most expensive) Rieslings age well.
up to $12 Drink it within 3-4 years of vintage.
$12 to $25 Drink young or age 6-8 years.
$25 and up The best sweet German wines or dry Rieslings such as Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune can age and develop for decades if stored properly.
Vouvray—Most are best served young and fruity. There are special bottles that can age for several years, but they are not commonly found.
Wine of the month: Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mourvedre Vintage 2003. Approximately $15.