By Lou Phillips ·
Thanks to all for the comments and questions I received from the last column. Keep them coming.
Two of the most popular questions have been about what makes wines that age well and how to start and maintain a wine collection. We will look at the first topic here, which will be a good set up for the second in a future article.
Let’s start by defining what makes a wine improve with age. To keep it simple, we’ll look at the components of acid, tannin and fruit. A wine that has all of these evolves into more interesting and attractive variations over time. These characteristics can come from the grape itself, winemaking techniques or a combination of both.
Grapes that are naturally higher in tannins and acids, especially if they are grown in regions that allow for maintaining acid as the grapes mature, are great candidates.
It’s also important to select varietals that marry well with wood aging, meaning that the barrel does not overpower the wine, but rather adds complementary flavors and benefits aging. Among the classic wine grape varietals, this group includes, but is not exclusive to, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah.
These are mostly red wines because red grapes have more tannins and are more likely to be vinified using wood barrels, which add tannins and allows for minute, but steady, oxygen exposure. That, in turn, encourages components to coalesce creating layers of complexity.
A clash with wood and the need to minimize exposure to any oxygen are factors that rule out most white wines. The reason is simple, these wines mainly rely on freshness for its beauty. As they evolve, this usually changes for the worse.
Steps to success
Buy by region | The reason that Napa Cabs are renowned is its terroir is the fog, mountains, soil and committed winemakers that create structured wines. Burgundy and Oregon for Pinot Noir, Northern Rhone Valley (France) and Sonoma Coast for Syrah, Chablis and Santa Barbara for Chardonnay, are other good examples of climate, soil and winemaking that add up to wines that age.
Know the winemaker | Certain producers make wines using age-worthy techniques.
Get connected | Referrals from trusted wine professionals can be invaluable. Look for shops with older vintages and experienced staff, and restaurants with deep lists and qualified Sommeliers.
So, spread your wings a little, search out and enjoy some mature wines.
Lou Phillips is a Level 3 (Advanced) Sommelier and wine educator specializing in advising private collectors and businesses. He may be reached at (775) 544-3435 or wineguru123@gmail.com.
