We have been very thorough in providing as much information on April Wine as possible in this article. Please use it to make our efforts fruitful.We have been very thorough in providing as much information on April Wine as possible in this article. Please use it to make our efforts fruitful.
Aging Wine
Wine is a complex substance. Open a bottle of it now, and it may taste fine. Open a bottle of the same wine several years from now, and the wine becomes something else entirely. Rough edges in the flavor will have smoothed out and the overall flavor of the wine will be more balanced and mellow.
Why age wine? Well, as stated above, the many components of the wine will mellow out over time, and bring a harmonious balance to the flavor of the wine. The tannins, present in red wine, bring a bitter and astringent flavor. Given time, the tannins help to age the wine. As wine ages, the tannins precipitate out of the wine, leaving a smoother and more mellow flavor. As the wine ages, the acids will lose a bit of their bite, allowing the fruit to come out more. As the components of the wine age, they also bring more complexity to the flavor. What you end up with after several years of proper aging is a complex and balanced wine.
What wines should be aged? There are certain guidelines as to what wines should and should not be aged, but they are simply guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Most wines from California are meant to be consumed immediately, and should not be aged. Most white wines should not be aged, as they have a lower amount of tannins than red wine. It is the tannins that are present in red wine that allow the wine to age well. There are a few white wines, however that will improve with a couple of years of aging. Most wines under $25 don't need to be aged. Many French wines are meant to age and mature over several years. There are exceptions to these rules. Go into a wine shop, and ask which wines they would recommend for aging. They can recommend several good wines, along with some ideas of how long to age the wine.
How do I age wine? Proper storage is essential for a wine to age well. Cooler temperatures slow down the aging process, allowing time for the complexity of the wine to develop. The wine should be stored at a constant temperature of 50-60 degrees F. Fluctuating temperatures will cause the wine and the cork to expand and contract, loosening the cork, and exposing the wine to oxygen. The wine should be stored on it's side, so that the wine is in contact with the cork, preventing it from drying out. The storage area should be dark, and have plenty of moisture to keep the cork from drying, which may loosen it, and subject the wine to oxidation.
Once you have a proper storage area for your wine, go to your local wine shop, and get their recommendations on a good aging wine. Buy a case of wine, and then open up one of the bottles when you get home and taste it. Put the rest of the bottles in storage, and start opening them after a couple of years, and note how the flavors and the complexity of the wine have changed. A new bottle of wine may be good, but a properly aged bottle is even better.
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Short Review on April Wine for December 19, 2007
Aging Wine
Wine is a complex substance. Open a bottle of it now, and it may taste fine. Open a bottle of the same wine several years from now, and the wine becom...
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Featured April Wine Items for December 19, 2007
Far Niente - Napa Valley Chardonnay
The 2004 California Napa Valley Chardonnay is a texturally driven wine showing beautiful balance and wonderful aromatics. The spicy, toasty oak enhances the classic aromas of mineral and fig. The fullness and mid-palate weight of this wine beautifully complement Far Niente's characteristic melon and tropical notes. The richness of this dry white wine makes it extremely approachable now, but will reward those who age it in the bottle for the next ten years. (Subject to Availabilty) FNC04 FNC04Price: 77.99 USD
Current April Wine News for December 19, 2007
Sports Capsule (Napa Valley Register)
Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:24:14 GMT
Crusher Golf Classic scheduled April 25 The Vintage High School Athletic Booster Club has scheduled the 2008 Bill Nunes Memorial Crusher Golf Classic for Friday, April 25, at Silverado Resort.
Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea Co., Nuova Simonelli and Griottines Contribute to the Dessert Experience! (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:00:00 GMT
Visitors to the Great American Dessert Experience on April 7-8 at the Georgia International Convention Center will really smell the coffee as Zoka Coffee Roaster and Tea co. and Nuova Simonelli play a major role in the educational seminars at the nation's only exclusive dessert trade show.
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Labels: Sweet Wine
