The Bible says “and no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say: ‘The old is better!’” (Luke 5:39). However, aged wine does not always mean better wine.
Most Wines are produced for immediate consumption, which means that they aren’t made to stay on the wine cellar. If you let it age for too long, Wine, as like any other old thing, becomes obsolete. Remember, Wine is for drinking!
All Wines have a perfect consumption point: it can be immediately after the purchase for some, and for others only years later. Basically, White Wine can age between 2 to 5 years, maximum, and Red Wine get a better quality after 5 to 10 years of maturation.
Tannin is one of the elements that changes Wine through the years. Its level is higher on Red Wines, preserving and elevating the Wine’s taste. Besides, the wine needs an adequate storage environment. Humidity, position, temperature and sunlight exposure are crucial elements if wish to allow the Wine to age well:
Humidity: keep it close to 70%
Position: keep it horizontally and rotate it regularly so that the cork doesn’t dry out
Temperature:between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius (50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit)
Sunlight: avoid sunlight exposure, try to keep the wine in a windowless room
Nonetheless, the most important factor is, in fact, time! Patience is needed. The adequate amount of time enables the Wine to develop a full bodied but smooth experience.
A good strategy to not feel bad about spending money and not have the immediate benefit is: every time you buy a wine for aging, buy another one, cheaper, to celebrate the purchase! This way, you can immediately enjoy Wine and you can keep the other for a special occasion.
Cheers!
