October 17, 2022
Fine Wines: Not Just for the Purists and Critics
What Is A Fine Wine Anyway?
Fine wines are defined as wines crafted from high-quality grapes grown in exceptional vineyards, by an experienced winemaker, that have the potential to age well and develop in character. It’s often thought that only expensive, red wines are capable of ageing well, famous examples include Bordeaux, Burgundy and Barolo. However a selection of whites and sparkling wines, such as Riesling, Chenin Blanc and Sémillon, can also age well.
These premium wines are stored and saved for special occasions. They are sometimes purchased years, even decades, in advance, with the hope and expectation that they develop in flavour profile, from simpler, brighter flavours to deeper, more complex notes.
Occasionally, wine of a specific vintage will be internationally recognised and acclaimed as being of higher quality, and bottles of that vintage will fetch a higher price, sometimes continuing to rise in price as they mature and develop further.
Save For That Special Day
Usually saved and brought out for special occasions such as weddings, milestone anniversaries, birthday celebrations, or career achievements, fine wines are generally purchased well in advance and stored to allow the ageing process to take place.
During the ageing process, fine particles within the wine, like tannins, join together to change the texture and feel of the wine. Additionally, the bold, fruity flavours that are prevalent in younger wines fade, allowing more subtle notes – such as tobacco leaf, sour cherry, coffee, and violet – to come to the fore.
Drink to Enjoy It
When saving wine for an undefined special occasion, it can be tempting to talk oneself out of opening the bottle. The occasion might not be quite ‘special’ enough, maybe you haven’t planned the ‘correct’ menu, or whatever other reason your mind can conjure up.
Another common concern about choosing when to drink a saved bottle is consuming it too early to enjoy the full effects of maturation. It’s key to remember that you bought the wine to drink and enjoy it.
Wine doesn’t brighten the party by staying in the bottle, and it’s much better to enjoy drinking it than to regretfully pour a spoiled bottle down the sink. A well-chosen bottle can turn a good night into a great night, and the memories of how the wine tasted that evening can last for a lifetime.
Wine Storage
Storage of fine wine requires a little knowledge and lots of patience. Even if you’re not lucky enough to own or have access to a dedicated wine cellar, storing your wine to preserve it until that joyous occasion can be achieved using the following tips.
Firstly, ensure you keep your wine in a cool, dark place. If you don’t have a cellar or a cupboard that fits the bill, a wine refrigerator can be the ideal option to protect your investment. If a wine refrigerator is what you’re considering, make sure to take into account access to the bottles, how they are stacked, and the type of door it has. It’s also important to assess the noise it makes, the materials it’s made of, and temperature control options.
Secondly, store your wine at the correct temperature. As a general rule of thumb, this means between 12˚C–19˚C (54˚F–66˚F) for red wines and between 8˚C–12˚C (46˚F–54˚F) for whites. Sparkling wines and sweet wines are a little more demanding and require between 5˚C–8˚C (41˚F–46˚F).
Along with maintaining a constant temperature, you should also aim to maintain a level of humidity between 50-80%. This helps to keep corks from drying out, while also keeping labels from getting mouldy.
Finally, it’s very important to store your bottles in the optimum position. A good rule to follow is that bottles should be stored on their side, although this isn’t as relevant for bottles with cork-alternative closures. Storing bottles on their sides is also a much more space-efficient storage method. The exception to this rule is Madeira, which tends to destroy its cork, and so should be stored standing upright.
From Burgundy to Chenin Blanc, and from Tuscany to the Margaret River, you can find wines worth cellaring if you know what to look for. Make sure you’ve got an appropriate place to store them, and then look forward to enjoying them as you regale friends and family with how you carefully selected and cared for each and every bottle.
Browse The Wine Flyer’s latest selection of fine wines and plan your next big event armed with the knowledge that the drinks list, at least, will be on point.