CELLARING YOUR WINES AND WHY?
If you have found a wine that needs some more time in the bottle good storage conditions can help its development and your enjoyment. It is recommended that a wine should be in a dark environment which is free of odors and vibrations. Sounds easy, but wait there’s more. Ideally a wines storage temperature should be about 55 degrees oF and about 70-80% humidity, but who of us have a limestone cave easily accessible under our houses. A minimum of temperature fluctuation is what is most important. Extremely high temperatures (in excess of 75 degrees oF) can advance the development of the wine as extremely low temperatures (below 30 degrees oF) will accelerate the precipitation of tartrate crystals and solid matter. With temperatures fluctuating over a large range it is very detrimental, as it will cause rapid aging and or precipitation. As temperature increases and decreases, expanding and contracting will put pressure on the cork, causing cork movement and ultimately leakage. If the atmosphere is too dry, corks can lose moisture and hence their elasticity, resulting in a poor seal thus the need to store wines with cork closures on their sides so the wine moistens the cork.
If conditions are too damp, there is a possible of fungal growth occurring on the top of the cork, and labels may be moisten and damaged as well. While very few of us will be able to store their wines under precise conditions that are sometimes called for, don’t let that discourage you from finding the best conditions you can where you are and getting started with storing and aging wines and watching them change over time. While the “ideal” conditions can seem elusive, often a dark spot in the basement or a closet that doesn’t have an outside wall such as under a staircase or even a spot in the pantry will work. Many of these types of solutions will ensure that your wines can age within near optimal conditions.
Some wines will require many years or even decades of aging before they have reached their peak. If you ever encounter these types of wines and considering the purchase for an investment or simply a special occasion you may want to purchase a high quality wine storage cabinet. Most of these cabinets come in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes, while offering digital cooling systems that offer the right conditions for storing and aging your wines. There are many stores online that can provide you with a wide range of selections, some of my favorites are http://www.vintagecellars.com/ and http://www.winecellarinnovations.com/ they both offer great advice and can even custom build to your needs. There is one other option if space is an issue or your teenage kids have found your ‘secret stash’. Off site storage facilities that are temperature and humidity-controlled can provide quality service. This is by far the most expensive option and you don’t have 24 access to you wines, however this option is great for wines that you don’t plan to drink for some years and it has the added bonus of being out of reach for those of you who can’t keep a good bottle hidden.
WHICH WINES WILL IMPROVE WITH AGE?
The ability to age is influenced by several factors which include the grape variety, viticulture practice, winemaking styles and cellaring. Without knowing the history of a wine an indication of the cellaring potential can be the price point, for instance a $8-$10 Cabernet Sauvignon may only last for 1 to 2 years but a $30-$50 Cabernet will likely improve with age for up to 10 years. Some other wines with big tannins are the Bordeaux inspired Meritage Reds wines made from Caberent Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdo, Malbec and the rare Carmenere, other wines that have the ability to successfully age are acidic and tannic Syrah (Shiraz), Nebbiolo, and Sangiovese’s. High acidic white wines have great aging potential such as Chenin Blanc and dry Rieslings, while Chardonnay and Semillon if barrel aged and minimal malolactic fermentation has occurred, can be successful. Again look for the price point for a rough guide. Sweet wines such as Riesling, Semillon and Ice wine also have potential longevity as well as Vintage Ports.
WHAT HAPPENS WITH AGE?
For most of us, drinking a soft smooth wine is one of the most pleasurable experiences you can have when it comes to consuming wine. Drinking a wine when it is at its peak is what makes it so exciting. Let’s talk about what happens when a wine is aged. The young wine that is laid to rest for a long period will undergo a remarkable transformation of sight, smells and taste. During the aging period the wine will develop complexity as chemical reactions occur creating complex aromas and tastes. Those harsh, raw tannins that we often experience in young reds and the tart acids in young whites can slowly diffuse when aged, leaving a wine that has a much smoother mouthfeel texture. If a wine does not contain any of these characters it is pointless keeping it. My general rule is “If its good now why wait, drink it!”
Wines can be categorized in-groups from light to medium to full body. Most whites and lighter bodied reds are best enjoyed as young wines, one to three years, as their primary fruit characters are their most appealing features. More full-bodied whites and reds can be aged for three to eight to even ten years to soften the tannins and smooth the tart acidity. The flavors of youth will intermingle with those of age and develop more complexity. As bottle the aging progresses the wines aroma can evolve into more delicate complex smells. In order to decide how long to cellar a wine, be guided by your own assessment. A good way of doing this is by purchasing a case and regularly enjoying the wine over a number of years. This is the best way I have found to build up your cellar of good mature wines.
Most all of the Grande River wines have been cellared for your benefit in a controlled environment and are ready to drink when released, however we do have our Reserve Selection and Meritage red and white wines that tend to age gracefully. If you have any questions about this or any other wine topics be sure to contact me and I will be glad to talk wine with you.
Happy Sipping.
Sincerely,
Corey Norsworthy
Winemaker/Marketer
Grande River Vineyards