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+--- Thread: Wines Spoil???? (/thread-18968.html)
- littlefools - 10-14-2003
As I am reading more and more of everyones questions and responses, I never new that wines spoil. Why is this and I though that you can keep wines for ages. I thought that the more they age, the better they are? Or is this just a silly legend??
Tammy :~)
- Innkeeper - 10-14-2003
Hi Tammy; two things. First of all when wine is opened, oxygen at first helps if not ready, but after that it is the mortal enemy. If wine is left unattended after opening, it will be oxidized (ruined) quickly. The solution to this is to somehow store it without oxygen. You can put it in smaller bottles and recork without any air, or replace the air with nitrogen.
The second issue is aging wine unopened after purchase. According to recent reports 99% of all wine purchased in the United States does not need any aging. This is by volume, not by individual wines. Even then, somewhere around 90% of individual wines also don't need any aging.
So, how do you know what does need aging, and how long. This requires lots of knowledge. Some of it can be learned here on this board. More can be learned in books or perhaps other sites. First of all wines that contain sugar can be kept and sould in some cases be kept longer than dry wines from the same grape. So, German Riesling that is dry needs to be consumed earlier than those containing a lot of residual sugar such as Beerenauslese.
Then there are some wines that you just know need aging. In my book, I won't touch a Brunello Di Montalcino for 15 years after harvest; even though a Chianti made from the same grape can be consumed comfortably a year after harvest. Well made Bordeaux Wines should be kept 10 years before even trying, even though some wines made from the same grapes can be easily drunk on release. How, do I know that? Experience.
- littlefools - 10-15-2003
Holey Moses...... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/confused.gif[/img] Well, I guess I will have to get some more experience! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]
There is so much behind these wines, I have no idea. Many thanks for your reply and I look forward to learning more. I am sure I will have many more questions. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]