The Benefits of Aging Wine: When to Drink and When to Store

The Benefits of Aging Wine: When to Drink and When to Store

Whether you’re buying a wine for yourself or as part of your collection, it’s essential to consider the age-worthiness of your purchase. You can expect the flavor and aroma of your wine to improve with age, and there are a few different ways this can occur. The Interesting Info about Aging Wine.

1. Acidity:

All wines need acidity to help them preserve their structure, and the best aging wines have a low pH, particularly reds. Conversely, if a wine has a high pH, it is less likely to be able to age and will most likely lose its spicy character with time.

2. Body and depth:

A young wine usually has a light body and a crisp texture, but this changes as the wine ages. For example, a white wine will typically become more smooth, while a red wine may develop a more velvety, round texture.

3. Color:

A well-aged wine usually has a deeper, more complex color than a younger wine. This is often because the paint will have darkened from a natural process called oxidation.

4. Flavor:

During the aging process, acids, alcohols, and many other compounds in wine dissolve and combine again into new combinations that create complexities and flavors. As the wine ages, these new flavors are more noticeable.

5. Tasting notes:

As the wine ages, it will display more savory flavors and depth in aroma and taste. This can be an excellent experience for those who love complex wines.

6. Aged wines become more mellow, soft, and smooth with time.

Generally speaking, a white wine will soften and gain a silkier texture with time, while a red will have a deeper, more complex color and savory flavors.

7. Cellaring:

Wine can be stored horizontally or vertically, but side storage is the best way to ensure the cork stays moist and helps block oxygen from contacting your wine. It also helps to keep the wine at an optimal temperature so it does not deteriorate quickly.

9. Keeping your wine cool:

Generally, the ideal temperature for storing your wine is 12 degrees C. This will keep the organic balance of all the ingredients in your wine intact and prevent oxidization and rapid maturity, which can happen if you try to store your wine at a too-warm temperature.

10. Avoid oxidation:

While wine improves with age, it is essential to remember that it will eventually succumb to oxidation, turn brown, and smell like vinegar. Oxidation can be caused by several factors, including temperature fluctuations and freezing storage.

The only proper way to prevent oxidation is by storing your wine at the right temperature and keeping it on its side. This is the only way to ensure that your wine will not go off and will continue improving as it ages.

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