These may be some of the best aging wines you can find
Sugars act as a preservative in many ways
Rose-
Generally not age-worthy and should be drunk within the first few years of its life
Trademarks of age-worthy wine
Structure-balance is key. You are trying to predict a point in time in the future where the wine will be harmoniously in tune with itself
Acidity – If it not there now, it will not magically appear later. Acidity is what gives you freshness.
Tannin – Soften over time. If you are collecting a high tannin wine like Napa Cab, Bordeaux, or Barolo and good tannic structure is not available, the wine will show flabby as it ages.
Alcohol – This too becomes less as the wine ages and therefore the perceived “fruitiness” of the wine lessens over time.
Oak – Over time oak becomes more integrated with the wine as long as there is enough stuffing to “absorb” it. If not, then the wine just tastes like oak.
Sweetness – Sugars, like acidity, generally don’t disappear, they just become less apparent.
Bottle size
Bigger bottles age slower than smaller bottles – Do not age half bottles.
Storage
Stored on its side
Proper storage of 55 degrees
70% humidity
No extended exposure to fluorescent or UV Light
Collecting wine as investment vs. future consumption
Investment-
Scores matter but not as much as you might think
What To look for when purchasing
Top producers from top regions in the world from top vintages
Wines that have solid auction histories
Wineries that cellar and release library vintages – This has built in market value increases
Countries/Regions to look for-
Countries: France, USA, Spain, Italy, Australia, Austria
Regions
B’s – Brunello Barolo, Barbaresco Burgundy, and Bordeaux
Napa, Sonoma Central Coast, Washington State
Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat
Champagne
How long to hold on to the wine?
Depends on the variety, region, wine making, etc.
Generally, 10 to 20 years is when you can expect a return on your money.
Beware of the grey market. Counterfeit wine is a billion dollar a year industry.
Future Consumption
Everything above applies but to a lesser extent
Do not let the “perfect” scenario keep you from starting a collection.
What to buy: Following the principles of age worthiness is key. There is much more room for personal tastes when collecting with the intent of drinking rather than investing. Quality is still the key.
When to buy: Spring and fall are the best time to get the wine to avoid the extremes of temperature.
Budgeting: There is no magic number here, it really depends on how much wine you are looking to lay down.
How many to buy: You should never buy less than 3 bottles if you can of any one wine. (Sometimes this is easier said than done).
When to drink: Again, there is no good hard rule here as it comes down to personal preference. The reason 3 bottles are the minimum I suggest is so you can enjoy the wine throughout its journey. One bottle to enjoy young, one to enjoy after 5 to 7 years, and one to enjoy possibly later depending on how it shows at the 5-to-10-year mark. Though it is great to enjoy properly aged wine, it is also a shame to open a bottle past its prime.
