Is Older Wine Higher Than Youthful Wine?

Wine myths are nothing new, and the concept older wine is best than youthful wine has existed for ages. However how a lot fact is there to this widespread perception? In response to many wine business execs, not a lot.

“Many understand that older wines will inherently be higher than youthful wines, and that’s not the case,” says Nikita Malhotra, head sommelier at Pressoir. 

Malhotra says private preferences, together with taste profiles, texture, and expression, play an enormous function in whether or not somebody will favor an older or youthful wine. Age isn’t at all times an element. 

Joao Castro, sommelier at Michelin-starred Wild Honey in London, agrees. “The concept older wine is best than youthful wine isn’t at all times true. It relies on the kind of wine and the way it was made,” he says. 

The variations between youthful and older wines

Youthful wines, no matter coloration, are typically extra vibrant and fruit-forward, whereas older wines usually present extra evolution. 

“Younger reds usually have bolder tannins and brisker fruit notes, whereas younger white wines may be crisp and zesty, with sharp acidity,” says Castro. “Crimson wines develop complicated secondary and tertiary notes like earth, leather-based, or dried fruit, whereas whites can achieve nuttiness, creaminess, and depth.” 

Malhotra attributes these distinctive, tertiary notes as flavors related to oak ageing, fermentation, and good ol’ customary time, relatively than the grapes themselves. She makes use of Northern Rhône Syrah for example. “A youthful classic may have currant and raspberry as dominant notes, however as these wines age, the supporting savory expressions of bacon, leather-based, and tobacco start to take over,” she says. 

When is youthful wine a greater match?

Castro says that youthful wine is commonly preferable for informal conditions and on a regular basis consuming. Its vibrant acidity and fruit-forwardness make for brilliant, refreshing experiences. 

Malhotra recommends youthful wines if you meet up with associates. “I’ve been responsible of getting a wine with age that modifications with each sip, and it turns into my focus in lieu of the buddies and colleagues I could be sharing the bottle with,” she says. In these conditions, it’s greatest to get pleasure from one thing that shall be pleasurable and permit dialog to circulation. 

Youthful wines may also be extra dependable alongside meals. 

“A extra present classic can usually be used to spotlight a dish, say a crudo that wants extra acid,” says Malhotra. This will simply be present in youthful bottles of sometimes high-acid wines like dry Riesling from Germany. 

Don’t need to gamble on whether or not a wine will present properly? Malhotra recommends sticking with a youthful bottling.

Opening otherwise aged wines

Again-vintage wines can present a number of the most unusual and thought-provoking experiences. Figuring out how one can deal with them is essential, nonetheless. 

“Serving older wines differs from youthful ones, as they’re extra delicate and require cautious decanting to separate sediment,” says Castro. Serving the wine on the correct temperature will be sure that its subtleties and nuances are highlighted. 

As soon as an older wine has settled upright for a number of hours, Malhotra recommends to pour it gently. Additionally, shine a light-weight on the neck of the bottle as you pour to keep away from having sediment enter the decanter.

“In case you want a youthful wine to open up, you do not have to be as fragile in treating the bottle, as you need to expose the wine to oxygen as a lot as you possibly can,” says Malhotra. “With older wine, you’re preventing in opposition to an excessive amount of oxygen, so you’re decanting for very completely different causes in every case.” 

It’s all a matter of style

Castro says that not all wines are designed to age and that almost all of wines available on the market are crafted for fast to short-term enjoyment. 

“The first notes present in youthful wines are typically gratifying. When ageing is completed proper, nonetheless, back-vintage bottles may be out of this world,” says Malhotra. 

In fact, many elements needs to be thought-about when reaching for that subsequent bottle of wine. Private desire, the character of the event, and temper, all come into play when having fun with wine. And, age is only a quantity, proper?