🕰️ Aging Wine Is Like Aging People

Some wines get better with age.
Most don’t.

The majority hit their peak in just a few years, while others hang around for decades, evolving with every second. And just like people, the ones that age well tend to have great structure, good acidity, and aren’t in too much of a rush to show off.

Wines, like humans, can be moody when young - tight, intense, even a little frustrating. But give them time, and they become wise, soften, open up, and reveal beautiful, complex layers that weren’t there before.

(And unlike humans, a well-aged wine never starts arguing at dinner.)

🍇 WHY DO WE AGE WINE?

Why do we wait on wine at all?

• Because patience turns into delicious memory.

• Because aged wines tell more complex stories.

• Because what starts off bold, brash, or overly fruity can mellow into something soulful and symphonic.

• Because an aged wine is a story told through evolution and taste

Aging allows wine to develop.
Tannins soften. Acids mellow.
Fruit flavors shift into dried fruit, earth, spice, and all kinds of intriguing layers.

A fresh cherry turns into a dried fig wearing a leather jacket in the forest

🧪 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU AGE A WINE?

Chemistry. Time. Magic. ✨

Aging wine triggers thousands of micro-reactions:

• Tannins polymerize → soften and round out

• Acidity integrates → less zip, more harmony

• Fruit flavors evolve → from juicy to savory

• Aromas deepen → from fruit salad to forest floor with a splash of truffle oil

In red wines:
Color often fades slightly ruby red into copper garnet, while flavor gets deeper and more layered.

In white wines:
Pale yellow turns golden or amber.
Crisp fruit becomes toastiness. Think honey, almond, ginger, chamomile, and baked pear.

🕵️ HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A WINE CAN AGE?

Not all wine is meant to age.
In fact, most wines are made to be drunk young!

This depends on the grape variety, region, and, crucially, the philosophy of the winemaker. But when in doubt, here’s your cheat sheet:

Wines that age well usually have:

Acidity: The backbone of wine. It keeps things fresh and alive as the years roll on. Without it, the wine falls flat.

Tannin (in reds): The structure and strength that softens beautifully over time. Intense, gripping tannins become velvety and smooth.

Alcohol in balance: If it feels like a shot of vodka on the finish, something’s off. Proper balance allows longevity.

Concentration: Flavor intensity = aging potential.
Think of it like personality. Some wines have enough charm to last through the decades, others peak at the party and call it a night.

Structure: The backbone that holds everything together. Strong, poised, and elegant—more posture than punch.

❌ Wines that don’t age well?
That crisp supermarket Pinot Grigio isn’t turning into Grand Cru Burgundy anytime soon. Drink it while it’s still flirting with freshness.

🕰️ WHEN TO AGE VS. WHEN TO DRINK

The best way to understand aging is to experience it.

Grapestained Experiment:

Buy three bottles of the same wine:

• Same grape variety

• Same producer

• Same vintage

• Same method of production

Step 1: Open the first bottle now.
Take notes: how are the aromas? The tannin? Acidity? Alcohol? How concentrated is the fruit?

Step 2: Open the second a year later.
Compare and contrast. Has it softened? Has the fruit mellowed or evolved?

Step 3: Decide if the third bottle should wait another year—or if it's time to pop it with someone special.

Pro Tip:
If it punches you in the mouth and leaves your teeth purple, give it a few years.
If it dances on your tongue and whispers poetic romance, drink it now.

🍾 HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO OPEN IT?

This part is science, instinct, and a dash of experience

• Young wine: Fruit-forward, bright, edgy

• Aged wine: Softer, savory, layered, complex

If you’ve got multiple bottles, open one every few years and taste the evolution.

If you’ve only got one?
Trust your gut, or call your favorite wine friend and make a moment out of it. Remember, your personal preference matters most. After all, it’s your wine, your palate, your moment.

🍷 How to Properly Age a Wine: The Essentials

A cellar is perfect, but let’s be real… Not everyone has one.
Here’s how to age wine properly, no matter your setup:

✅ What TO Do

1. Keep it cool, not cold

• Ideal temp: 12-15°C (55-59°F)

• Stability is key. No wild temperature swings

2. Store in the dark

• UV light destroys wine.

• Even artificial light can hurt over time, especially for whites and rosés

3. Lay bottles on their side (if corked)

• Keeps cork moist to prevent oxidation

• Dry cork = shrinkage = oxygen = disaster

4. Control the humidity

• Ideal: 60-70%

• Too dry = cork cracks

• Too humid = moldy labels

5. Avoid vibrations

• Store somewhere quiet and still.

• No laundry rooms, speaker shelves, or refrigerator tops

6. Keep away from strong smells

• Corks breathe.

• If your wine smells like onions or detergent, it’s not terroir… It’s your pantry

7. Invest in a wine fridge (if possible)

• Keeps everything balanced: temp, humidity, and light

❌ What NOT to Do

🚫 Store upright (if corked)
🚫 Put wine on top of the fridge
🚫 Age wine in the kitchen
🚫 Leave it in direct sunlight
🚫 Assume all wine gets better with age

No, your Barefoot Moscato from 2019 isn’t aging into a rare gem.
It’s just getting sadder.

📝 Quick Cheat Sheet:

💡 Final Thought: Wine, Like Life, Is All About Timing

Don’t wait too long to drink something beautiful.
But don’t rush it either. Live, and drink, in the moment.

When the time is right, aged wine isn’t just a drink.
It’s a story told slowly, one sip at a time.

And in the end, remember this:
Wine is yours. Do with it as you please.
It’s meant to be enjoyed in every sense of the word.

Cheers to patience, pleasure, and perfect timing,
- Ryan

🍷 P.S. Want to explore more wines worth aging (or drinking right now)? Join the Scarpetta Club and get insider tips, recipes, and discounts to small produced bottles before anyone else: Upgrade Here

🍾 Looking to buy a wine worth aging?

Brunello di Montalcino is one of the world’s best for your cellar.
Check out our story on Fabio at La Fornace, meet the man behind these incredible wines, and order bottles directly to your door for the ultimate aging experience: Read & Order Here