You may not have ever thought of wine as a living thing, but in a way it truly is. Unlike a host of other beverages, wine can change in time, even for years or decades. Do these changes occur in the bottle? If so, how do you know when you should age your bottle of wine? Keep reading to find out!

The Aging Process of Wine Explained

When many people reflect on how wine is made, often they may imagine winemakers plucking grapes from mature branches and placing the effervescent liquid in bottles or oak barrels. There’s so much more to winemaking! A number of chemical reactions will occur as soon as the wine is bottled, which will allow for new, exciting flavor profiles to emerge. The acids and alcohol that are present in the wine react to each other, continuously forming new compounds and dissolving previous flavors. Essentially, the elements within the receptacle continue interacting with one another until the wine has been enjoyed.

Chemical terminology aside, the flavor, texture, and color of the wine also evolve as time progresses. Red wines become silkier, smoother, and rustier in color while white wines become richer, more robust, and more golden. And of course, depending on the type of grape and your own palate, certain wines don’t age well.

Factors That Contribute to a Wine’s Aging Process

Several variants can have a profound effect on how a wine ages. Here are some of the most prominent factors:

• The temperature at storage. Wine may spoil if it’s too warm or too cold. Around 55 degrees is ideal; however, the actual number can vary depending on the wine.
• The weather. Winemakers often feel devastated if massive storms happen to roar through the area before harvest. Too much water can mean there won’t be enough polyphenols in the grapes to assist in the aging process when they’re harvested and bottled.
• Various decisions the winemaker has made in the field or cellar, including how much sulfur dioxide is added to the wine in the cellar.
• The grapes themselves. A wine may become diluted if the grapes hold too much water content during harvest. Conversely, smaller grapes with thicker skins may yield a delicious wine that ages gracefully, thanks to tannins and other phenolic compounds.
• The vines’ age. Older vines produce flavorful grapes that turn into fine wines while younger vines may yield grapes with a lower polyphenol count. With age comes experience, indeed!

Does Wine Age in the Bottle?

Absolutely! Even after the wine is finished with its initial fermentation, it will continue to evolve and change long after it’s bottled and sold. The process ends as soon as the cork is popped. As you may remember, the introduction of oxygen causes oxidation, which can be responsible for a flat taste and softer mouthfeel in wine. However, if microscopic amounts of oxygen are introduced to the wine through the cork, it can cause the wine to slowly alter, revealing new and exciting characteristics. So, yes, wine does age in the bottle!

Which Wines Should You Age and Not Age?

Did you know that only about 1% of all wine is suitable for long-term aging? Many are already balanced and ready to be enjoyed as soon as you purchase the bottle; however, a handful of wine varieties may taste even better when aged. For reds, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, monastrell, sangiovese, nebbiolo, and tempranillo are all excellent choices. As for whites, chardonnay, riesling, and arinto age very well.

Port, a full-bodied, sweet red wine, can age for a long time – we’re talking decades – if you store it properly. In fact, it was a tradition in England to present a current bottle of port as a christening gift to a newborn. The idea was to allow the port to age 20 years or more so that it evolves into a delectable drink when the child is old enough to enjoy it.

Chaumette’s Advice

While you may absolutely choose to store your wine and save it for a special occasion, we say that each day is a gift to be cherished. Live in the moment and rejoice in the little things! As long as you’re enjoying it, then that’s reason enough to celebrate. If you find that you’re low on wine, why not stock up on the best around? Chaumette Vineyards & Winery is proud to offer a diverse, award-winning wine portfolio for your drinking pleasure. Find your favorites here!