Wine grows better with age

Why is the age of wine so important? Is it always best to let wine age? What is the ideal time to age wine? How do I store my wine collection to get the best results?

From experience, I know that some wines reach a pinnacle while others don't do so well after a certain age. There seems to be a turning point when wine passes that golden hour and begins to degrade, lose flavor, and taste like vinegar. So that bottle you have been saving for a special occasion may end up being an epiphany or a disappointment.

In researching the subject, I found some good answers for the reasons behind the aging process. The list below, taken from Wikipedia, gives general ranges for wines that benefit from aging and another list of wines that don't need to be aged at all. Although there are many factors that go into the specific prime age for a particular wine, here are some of the key factors to consider:

"The ratio of sugars, acids and phenolics to water is a key determination of how well a wine can age." In other words, the less water in the wine prior to harvest the more flavor in the wine, and the more likely the resulting wine has aging potential. So start with a good wine.

Another factor is storage. Optimal conditions include little movement, no direct sunlight, controlled temperature fluctuations, and avoiding excessive heat, especially in white wines. In general, a wine has a greater potential to develop complexity and a more aromatic bouquet if it is allowed to age slowly in a relatively cool environment.

"As red wine ages, the harsh tannins of its youth gradually give way to a softer mouthfeel. As a wine starts to mature, its bouquet will become more developed and multi-layered. The lingering finish of a wine will lengthen." Sounds like a win-win to me. My taste is definitely not fond of harsh tannins or acidity which can overwhelm food; and I love a complex bouquet and flavor, soft feel on my palette, and a long finish.

Salute! Ching ching!

General aging times
Riesling (2–30 yrs)
Loire Valley Chenin blanc (4–30 yrs)
Cabernet Sauvignon (4–20 yrs)
Merlot (2–10 yrs)
Nebbiolo (4–20 yrs)
Pinot noir (2–8 yrs)
Sangiovese (2–8 yrs)
Syrah (4–16 yrs)
Zinfandel (2–6 yrs)
Classified Bordeaux (8–25 yrs)
Grand Cru Burgundy (8–25 yrs)
Spanish Tempranillo (2–8 yrs)

Wines that don't benefit from aging
Asti and Moscato, Spumante
Rosé and blush wines like White Zinfandel
Branded wines like Yellow Tail, Mouton Cadet, etc.
European table wine
American jug & box wine
Inexpensive varietals (with the possible exception of Cabernet Sauvignon)
All Nouveau wines
Basic Sherry, Ports, Vermouth