In white wines, is the latest vintage the best?
White wines started to be highlighted a few years ago. Until then they were seen like “red wine’s cousins” that were not consumed a lot. Fortunately, in recent years its consumption has increased, mainly because of of young wine lovers.
In the past, it was believed that white wines could not age properly and had to be consumed when young. Even though, it started to be proved that, when produced to have aging potential, they did not loose its structure. In fact, they could become more interesting wines.
White Wines nowadays
Maybe it is just a trend but, nowadays, some wine lovers are looking for old white wines. Like with any old wine, there is some risk associated and deception may occur, most times the results are fascinating. In fact, a white wine produced the right way can show itself fresh, vibrating and even very fruity after some years.
Generally, a young white wine should be consumed in 12 to 18 months after the harvest. These are normally wines with aromas of tropical, tree and citric fruits, suggesting freshness and cleanliness, showing the presence of acidity in wine.
On the other hand, there are countless wines produced to age for lots of years. Typically, grape varieties like Alvarinho, Encruzado or Loureiro are good exemples in Portugal. Regarding foreign varieties, Riesling is probably the best sample, likely to age for over 40 years in some cases.
In these wines, the acidity of youth gives origin to smoother, more evolved and delicate aromas like honey, vanilla or smoke, and also to darker colors.
Being a matter of personal taste, wine should be appreciated the way it feels better to us. We may opt for an older wine, full of history, or for o younger one, fresher and more aromatic!
Cheers!
