As the old saying goes, ‘wine tastes better with age.’ And an aged bottle of plonk can certainly cost a lot of money — particularly if it’s a rare vintage.
But is the taste guaranteed to justify the eye-watering price tag? Would a vino that went down like paint stripper when bottled a hundred years ago tantalise your tastebuds a century on? And what factors influence how well wine matures?
In this article, we aim to answer some of these age-old questions, so wannabe wine buffs, take note…
First, let’s define what we mean by “old wine.” Some people consider a bottle of wine that’s been sitting in their cellar for a few years to be old, while others consider anything over 20 years to be vintage. For the purpose of this article, we’ll consider wine that’s been aged for 10 years or more to be old.
So, does old wine taste good? The answer is a resounding yes — if it’s been stored properly.
How to store vintage wine
Proper storage is key when it comes to ageing wine. The ideal storage conditions for vino are a constant temperature between 10-15°C (50-59°F), high humidity (around 70%), and minimal light exposure. If a wine has been stored under these conditions, it has a chance to develop the complex aromas and flavours that can only come from ageing.
On the other hand, if a wine has been stored in poor conditions (for example, too hot, too cold or too much light) it probably won’t taste as good as if it had been stored properly. In fact, it probably won’t taste good at all.
Some wines aren’t made to age well
But even if a wine has been stored properly, not all wines are meant to be aged. Some varieties, like Beaujolais and most white wines, are meant to be consumed young and so they don’t benefit from ageing. Other wines, like Bordeaux and Barolo, are sure to taste even better with a few years under their belts.
So in summary, old wine can taste good if it’s been stored properly— and if it’s a type that can benefit from ageing. But not all bottles are created equal, so it’s important to do your research before popping the cork. And remember, even if an old wine doesn’t taste good, it’s not necessarily a reflection of your palate — it could simply mean that the wine wasn’t meant to be aged. Cheers!
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