Useful Tips for Breaking Into the Lucrative World of Wine Collecting
Generally speaking, wine benefits from being aged. Wine is a drink made interesting by the presence of varied flavors that often complement one another. However, not all wines actually benefit that much from being stored for an extended period of time.
Because wines vary in so many ways, there is also no blanket answer for whether or not a specific type should be kept in a cellar for another year or if the best time to drink right now. The good news is that connoisseurs such as Denis Mackenzie and many others have figured out ways to tell if a particular bottle of wine is one that should be opened and enjoyed soon, or if it can benefit from further aging.
Alcohol content is an important factor
According to an article from Eater, one of the important factors to consider when determining whether or not a bottle of wine should be aged is its structure. To be more specific, the rule of thumb is that light-bodied wines are better served soon, while those that feature a heavier structure can improve if they are given more time to mature.
For those who are unfamiliar with the terms light-bodied and heavy-bodied, this article from The Tasting Quarter sheds more light on the matter.
Essentially, wine is considered light-bodied if it does not feature that much alcohol. Light-bodied wines usually feature alcohol content ranging from seven percent to 11 percent. However, there are also wines that fall below the seven percent alcohol content threshold, and yes, they are also considered light-bodied. These are the wines that are not that strong, and they can be served not long after they are bought and they will still taste as intended.
The full or heavy-bodied wines are those that feature high alcohol content – anything above 13 percent. Wines like these can still be served if desired, but if possible, they should be bought and then kept in a cellar somewhere so that they can mature and eventually develop more complex and pleasing flavors.
Interestingly enough, there are also wines that are neither light nor heavy-bodied. They are instead known as medium-bodied wines. These tweeners are typically 12 to 12.5 percent alcohol. It’s trickier to tell if a medium-bodied wine should be aged, so it may be best to taste a sample first and let the flavors lead the way.
More types of wine and their alcohol contents
The folks over at Wine Folly have provided a handy guide revealing the alcohol contents of several wine variants.
Among the lightest wines are Moscato d’Asti at just 5.5 percent alcohol and Muscadet. Remember, these are the wines that will not benefit from being kept in storage for that much longer. These are the wines that generally go with lighter dishes and even some desserts.
On the other end of the spectrum are the heavyweights – the ones with enough alcohol to have diners feeling a bit tipsy after a few glasses. Zinfandels and Pinot Noirs fall into this category, and those looking for a real punch of alcohol may be interested in a glass of Madeira or Vermouth. The heavier wines feature stronger flavors, so they work best with dishes that are similarly bold. These wines that are richer in alcohol will complement steaks and roasts ideally, but keep in mind that they should be stored after buying. Save these heavy-bodied wines for special occasions to make them truly memorable.
How the bottle is sealed can offer a clue
Another factor that can hint at whether a bottle of wine is at its best now or will hit its prime later in the future, and that is its packaging. According to the aforementioned Eater article, if a bottle of wine is sealed with a plastic or screw cap, then that’s a not so subtle clue that this drink should be enjoyed now. The bottles of wine that are sealed with corks can be kept that way and stored, and they will get better with time. It’s actually kind of a genius mechanic and it should be used as a guide by everyone on the hunt for a good bottle of wine.
Wine connoisseurs such as Denis Mackenzie already know that determining whether or not a bottle of wine can benefit from further aging is fairly straightforward, and the readers of this article have likely figured that out as well. Now it’s time for the wine lovers to decide what they want to do. Do they want to enjoy their favorite drink now and let its delightful flavors wash over them or would they rather be patient knowing that something special awaits them at the end? It’s hard to choose between the two options, but regardless of which path is taken, good wine will be had.