10 Tips On Buying An Anniversary Wine
By Karen Orlandiand Bob Orlandi
Wine can be a special extravagance when celebrating a special occasion. Not only can you indulge in a higher quality wine, but you can also buy a bottle with the same vintage as the anniversary you are observing.
The wine vintage marks the year the grapes were harvested and the process of turning them into wine began. It can be fun to think about where the grapes are from and who might have harvested them. Were they family of the wine producer or perhaps hired vineyard workers? What might the world have been like for them during that harvest? And what was the world like for you during that commemorative year?
But before you get wrapped up in focusing only on the vintage, it is important to consider the following tips for buying anniversary wines.
1. Buy a bottle that is within its maturity date. This is the most important guideline. Not all wine is created equal and many wines will not hold up over time. Approximately 80% of wine is consumed within 48 hours of purchase, so most wineries gear their wines toward immediate consumption. But some wines are specifically made to be drunk decades after bottling. Here are some rules of thumb by anniversary year that will help guide you in finding a bottle with its appropriate maturity. Note that these are generalities and that some vintages are better than others.
• If your anniversary is 5 years or less, choose a New World wine, perhaps something from California, Chile or New Zealand. • If your anniversary is 6-15 years, choose a good quality (aka higher-priced) New World cabernet or perhaps a super premium pinot, or a second or third growth Bordeaux. • If your anniversary is 16-25 years, choose a first, second or third growth Bordeaux, vintage Port or a Blue Chip cabernet from the New World. • If your anniversary is 26-50 years, choose a first growth Bordeaux, Sauternes or vintage Port. • If your anniversary is more than 50 years, your best bet is a vintage Port or Sauternes.
2. Expect to pay big bucks for wines more than 10 years old. If you can't find something within your price range, consider searching for a more recent vintage that represents another fond memory.
3. Stay open to the type and origination of the bottle and you will be much happier with the result. This may mean that your favorite pinot is not an appropriate choice or that a sweet wine may be your best option. You can find a lot of older wines for sale, but it doesn't mean they still taste good after all these years.
4. The flavor profile on an older bottle is very different from a more recent vintage. Think Fig Newtons more than fresh berries. Be sure your audience for this special bottle will be happy with its unique taste.
5. Ask about the fill level of older bottles. A certain amount of loss is generally acceptable, but too much loss could be a sign of poor storage or leakage.
6. If you are having the special bottle shipped to you, let it rest. The vibrations and pressure changes during transport unsettle the sediment and jostle the otherwise peacefully resting fine wine. Opinions vary on exactly how long the rest period should be, but ideally you want to procure the bottle several weeks before you plan to serve it. Don't forget to store it at a constant 55-59 degrees.
7. Use a two-prong cork puller to open an older vintage, rather than a corkscrew. Aged corks are fragile and can crumble if you aren't delicate.
8. Be prepared to find sediment in the bottle. It is common to use a fine mesh wire filter when pouring the wine into the decanter to separate the sediment out.
9. Decanting can sometimes help "open up" older bottles. Aficionados differ in their opinions on if and how much you should decant, so let your taste buds guide you.
10. Beware of the gamble you are making. It is possible you may end up unhappy with your bottle, as perfectly cellared old bottles can still become corked or have aging issues unbeknownst to the seller or buyer. Wine is still food and is continuously evolving in the bottle - that is what makes it such a neat experience, as it is never the same as it was the day before.
Have fun and delight in trying a special, older vintage bottle with a history as long as the one you are celebrating.
Aabalat Fine & Rare Wines, based in Petaluma, California, has a large selection of rare and fine wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, Portugal, and the US that is sure to impress even the most seasoned connoisseur. We strive to find the best wines, aged and stored properly for your drinking pleasure and investment potential. Visit http://www.aabalat.com/ for more information about our products and services.
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