21 Years of "aging" a wine

Welcome to Vine to wine this is your host Linda Moran. I was asked by a couple about buying a wine to commemorate the birth of their first child and to drink it on the child's 21st birthday. They thought almost any wine would get better with age. I had to break it to them - it was not the case. It made me realize the misconception surrounding this and today we will address aging wine for long periods. Although some wines may increase in monetary value, it is likely because they have become scarce, and not because they have gotten better. This type of aging has an entirely different motivation for collecting wine and usually comes into play with those who have large cellars full of wines. Long aging is not the rule for all wines. Most people who taste an aged wine for the first time are not impressed, in fact they are likely to be disappointed. Aging a wine for that long period requires ideal conditions and it should be monitored by having several bottles of the same wine to open and observe the progress or lack there of. Aged wines are an acquired taste and, as in the case of the young couple wishing to age a wine for their enjoyment in 21 years, the likelihood of anything still being drinkable - outside a great German Riesling or a port is not that good. I guess you could say it is an unfortunate misconception that wine tastes better the older it gets. As much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news I will recommend you create a time capsule or invest in a stock to give to your child when it reaches 21. And thanks for joining us on today's Vine to Wine.