|
|
|
|
Menu and Wine Suggestions |
 |
|
Cocktail Recipes |
Wedding Packages |
 |
Ask The Wine Expert |
Fun
Stuff! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visit amazon.com for all your books and music needs.
|
Understanding
Vintages and Aging
Each year another crop of wine is grown, picked and
stored in some fashion. Good wine generally has the year that it was produced (vintage) on
the label somewhere, and some years are considered better than others. If you would like
to know more about vintages, there are several pocket guides that will give you the
lowdown.
- Most red wines benefit from a little aging, and some
varietals are known for improving for ten years or more in the bottle. Much of the wine
produced today though, especially from California, is distributed so that it tastes very
good as soon as it appears in the store.
- A winery will probably not distribute a red wine for at
least two years after it was produced. An additional few years in the bottle will
generally help Cabernets, Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels to fully develop their taste, but
don't worry too much about it unless you're specifically looking for a bottle to put away
for awhile. In that case, find a spot in your house that's always cool and dry, and get a
specific wine recommendation from a reputable wine store or book.
- Most white wines and sparkling wines generally do not
need aging, and are ready to drink right now. The notable exceptions are sweet dessert
wines and champagne which can improve greatly with a few years in the bottle.
BACK
|
