Wines and Aging

Myth: Red wines should be aged. White wines - not so much.

Many wine experts suggest that only 1% of the world’s wines are meant to be aged. (1) The character of a wine that will benefit from aging has more to do with the soil and climate conditions than most anything else, assuming proper production and storage techniques. Do your homework if you are after aged wines, but do not assume the bottle you purchased from a local winery can be stored away.

High-acid white wines can age very well. Riesling, as an example, can age for decades. (2) But don’t just assume you can salt away any bottle for long periods. Most wines are meant to be consumed within the first year after bottling. Again, if you want an aged white, do your homework.

Most wines, even cellar-worthy ones, are delicious upon release. About 90% of wine is produced to be consumed when purchased. Further aging may change the taste, bouquet, and finish of the wine, and not in a good way. (3)

If you plan on aging your own wine selection, store it properly so that it doesn’t become “corked,” AKA spoiled, or become overheated or frozen.

And remember, better to drink a bottle a year early than a day late.

REFERENCES
(1) Hill, M. (8/2023). The Biggest Wine Myths, Resolved. Culinary Hill. https://www.culinaryhill.com/biggest-wine-myths/

(2) Wine Searcher Limited (2023). Wine Myths: Fact or Fiction? https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2018/09/wine-myths-fact-or-fiction

(3)mhaith, S. (11/2020). Wine Myths and Facts. A Layman’s Wine Musings. https://alaymanswinemusings.com/2020/11/28/wine-myths-and-facts/