How long should a newly bottled wine be aged before it’s best to consume it?
It’s tempting to start consuming your wine right after bottling it, and in fact, there are many wines that can be consumed right after bottling and be everything you want them to be. But if you really want to maximize your wine’s potential, a little time left alone in the bottle can make the difference. With age, most red wines which begin life with obvious fruity aromas and some degree of astringency (‘bite’) will develop softer, gentler, more complex aromas and flavours. The wines become richer, as the fruit mellows and the astringent tannins relax and contribute to the body and character. Many white wines also benefit with age. Whites intended for ageing may display exceedingly high acid levels which will soften over time, uncovering wonderful textures and flavours. Components of wines differ by variety or blend, and thus react differently to ageing. Some wines require longer ageing periods than others. For example: Q: What happens if I use inadequate equipment? A: Winemaking equipm
It’s tempting to start consuming your wine right after bottling it, and in fact, there are many wines that can be consumed right after bottling and be everything you want them to be. But if you really want to maximize your wine’s potential, a little time left alone in the bottle can make the difference. With age, most red wines which begin life with obvious fruity aromas and some degree of astringency (‘bite’) will develop softer, gentler, more complex aromas and flavours. The wines become richer, as the fruit mellows and the astringent tannins relax and contribute to the body and character. Many white wines also benefit with age. Whites intended for ageing may display exceedingly high acid levels which will soften over time, uncovering wonderful textures and flavours. Components of wines differ by variety or blend, and thus react differently to ageing. Some wines require longer ageing periods than others.
