I received some nice comments regarding my column last week, the
one where I revealed my nickname of
”
Tossy
”
– the guy who does not hold onto anything and throws everything
out.
I received some nice comments regarding my column last week, the one where I revealed my nickname of “Tossy” – the guy who does not hold onto anything and throws everything out.
One reader posed this question via e-mail: “Given your propensity to throw things away, is Tossy able to cellar wine, and if so, what are your recommendations?”
Cellaring wine for use in the future, often referred to as “laying down wine,” has many variables that affect whether this is a good option or worth the time and effort.
Some folks think you have to age wine to fully appreciate what is in the bottle. This is not the case. Most wine that is produced today is meant to be consumed young, a term that means within a few years after the wine has been bottled.
So, why would you want to put wine away if it is drinkable now?
Wine is literally an investment for some people. These folks purchase certain wines, anticipating that the wine will mature with age, gain some notoriety or build on existing reputations, and then sell the wine for profit later down the road.
Another reason to lay down wine is due to the sharp, bitter flavor (think of sipping some strong tea) that is found in some young wines. This can be attributed to tannin, a natural preservative that comes from the grape skins, seeds and stems.
Tannin can be chemically added and also results from the oak wood used in barreling. Over time, the tannins and bitterness will diminish, and the wine will achieve greater harmony between the acid, fruit and alcohol – which means a balanced, more enjoyable wine.
White wines have less tannin and generally have a shorter aging life than red wines. Light chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot blanc and similar whites will not appreciate in taste, and may last one to three years. There are exceptions to this rule. Some high quality German rieslings, grand cru champagnes, Gewürztraminers and white Bordeaux or Burgundy wines will last anywhere from five to 10 years. Specialty wines like Sauternes can gain in complexity for 20 years or more.
Red wines also run the gamut of aging, some only drinkable in the first few years, others that can be laid down for decades.
I have mentioned in previous columns that the price of wine is not an indicator of whether the wine is going to taste good or that everyone will enjoy the more expensive bottle of wine. However, the bottle price can be a guide for those interested in laying down certain wine.
For example, cabernet sauvignon is a sturdy grape variety that can be purchased at many price levels. Generally speaking, a bottle that is less than $12 is ready to drink right away, and should be consumed within a year or two. This wine will not appreciate much in complexity or value. A bottle that runs from $15 to $25 will develop over a few years and may continue to improve for five to seven years. A bottle that runs $25 or more could last anywhere from seven to 15 years, even longer.
Remember, for this to be achieved, properly store wine in conditions that limit exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity and vibrations.
I have not experienced but a few bottles of wine that have been laid down for 10 years or more. These wines were spectacular, but it was hard to discern whether these wines had appreciated to a level that would justify the time and care put into storing them for this length of time. My view was very subjective, not objective, since I did not try these wines over a period of time.
A recommendation for wine enthusiasts would be to buy a number of bottles, maybe a case of a wine that you find appealing. Speak with your wine merchant or the winemaker to see what he or she recommends as far as when the wine will hit its peak, the point where it will be the best. Again, you might get an answer like “from now until 2015!”
Open a bottle now, then another in nine months or a year. See if you can detect the subtle changes as the wine develops and matures. Keep doing this pattern for an extended period of time, and see if the effort is worth it to you.
So, back to the question of whether I have cellared any wine. The answer is not yet, for I am not disciplined enough. Since I do not know what tomorrow will hold, I choose to live in the moment and enjoy things while I am able.
Patience is a virtue. Someday, I will put something aside and hope that when it is opened, it is a wine that was “one for the ages.”
Cheers!
