how long will wine age?

17 years ago

I have a 2000 Coteaux de Languedoc. The maker says it should age well for 8-10 years. Some magazine reviewers say it should be consumed within about 6 years. How do I go about determining who I should believe?

Comments (4)

makalu_gw
17 years ago
I'd say it depends on what taste you're going for. I've not tried the wine but the length of time that a wine will age depends on:

- The storage conditions (i.e. temperature, vibration, humidity, etc.)
- The taste of wine you're looking for (younger wines generally taste fruitier while more mature wines may taste more balanced and smoother)
- The type of wine ... reds tend to age better than whites though I've had some chardonnays at 5 years that tasted way better than the respective cabs.

Personally, I like the wine at midpoint, somewhere between the fruity of youth and the smoother, more refined taste of aging so I'd suggest drinking it over the next year or so since you're in the middle 6 to 8 year range.

The only sure way that I know to determine what you should believe is to try one now and another once a year to see what you like best. Once you find that magic "wow, this is drinking well" spot, share with friends and enjoy.
aphilla
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks much. We are sharing with friends and enjoying because it is quite nice. I just need to know whether I should work to finish it off soon or be comfortable with it a little longer.
Related Discussions
how long to age manure
Q
Comments (2)
Alone, I think the usual recommendation is 6 months. You'll see a distinct change in the appearance, texture, and odor. If you put it on your dormant garden bed this fall and let it continue to age there over the winter you should be fine by spring. If you mix it well with other ingredients and compost it you can likely use it sooner as the composting process will speed up decomposition. Dave
...See More
How long to age chicken poop
Q
Comments (10)
We have chickens for the first time too, so we've wondered the same thing. Our bedding is fresh sawdust/wood chips/shavings, which in our climate bind up nitrogen in the soil for a long time. So we're putting the poop/bedding mixture in the leaf bin, to help speed up the leaf breakdown, and will throw some on the ground around shrubs once the soil is frozen. If it were poop alone, or mixed with a less stubborn carbon source like straw, I'd use melonhedd's idea - covered with mulch and given a couple of months for the soil organisms to work it, it should make a great fertilizer.
...See More
My training with Alliance on Aging (long)
Q
Comments (6)
Yes, last Friday I met my first assignment. She's been widowed 11 years, and her children don't live here, the closest is about an hour and a half away. She'd like a house-share, and she has a lovely home, but we also started to discuss her kids. One wants her to move into a senior place like where my Mother lived, and another child wants her to move to where he lives, maybe buy somehting like a condo up there. But she says she's not ready for that yet. SHe's a young 83, but very lonely. She's been in her home for 37 years, and she feels surrounded by her memories. She's all too willing to talk, and I had trouble getting out of there on time---I didn't get out nearly on time! But she's a lovely lady, and I think that talking about this will help. She may not be ready to solve all this right away, but she's willing to talk over the possibilities. Thanks for asking, PB!
...See More
Aging and Aching Dog... How do you know it's time?
Q
Comments (29)
Elsie was one lucky dog and I think she knew that! Hopefully there were no children in her first family. The parents taught a lesson that could backfire on them--when someone gets old, dump them if they have medical problems. Ann, you and your family deserve a medal! Not many people will adopt a old dog. You loved her, took care of her and in return, she had a wonderful last few years! Her love for you was evident, also. Bless you! I hope the pain passes and that you only remember the grand old lady that lived with you for a short while.
...See More
rosesinny
17 years ago
Don't kno if you're still reading or if you drank it, but you said you have "a" 2000 Languedoc and you are sharing w friends. If you mean one bottle, do not keep it more than a day, if that. If you mean you have several bottles that you occasionally share, then you may be able to keep the wine. That was a decent year in the area and there are many nice wines. Don't know which one you have, but if it is a syrah based wine for probably $15, it should hold up for a while. The grenache based wines often don't last quite as long, but on the other hand I had a Chateauneuf du Pape from 1989 last month that was glorious. Just depends on whether you like them younger or older. If you like it now, enjoy and buy some more. The 2001, vintage, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are all pretty nice down that way, depending again on the wine.
roseto
17 years ago
Believe the winemaker. The winemaker knows how much tannin the finished wine contains plus the pH and acid content of the wine. Store the bottle on it side in a cool dark environment and leave it undisturbed until you can no longer wait to drink it. Enjoy!

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Ways to Design a Kitchen for Aging in Place

By Sam Ferris

Design choices that prevent stooping, reaching and falling help keep the space safe and accessible as you get older

Full Story

277

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Fun for All Ages in Connecticut

By Becky Harris

Crafts, wine, billiards and ... soccer? Yup, this tricked-out family basement has room for all that and more

Full Story

UNIVERSAL DESIGN Aging-in-Place Resolutions for the New Year

By Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC

How to make your home help you age gracefully right where you are

Full Story

UNIVERSAL DESIGN 12 Must-Haves for Aging in Place

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

Design a home that will continue to be accessible, safe and stylish as the years go by

Full Story

225

DECORATING GUIDES Divide and Conquer: How to Furnish a Long, Narrow Room

By Fred Albert

Learn decorating and layout tricks to create intimacy, distinguish areas and work with scale in an alley of a room

Full Story

108

INSIDE HOUZZ How Much Does a Remodel Cost, and How Long Does It Take?

By Erin Carlyle

The 2016 Houzz & Home survey asked 120,000 Houzzers about their renovation projects. Here’s what they said

Full Story

192

Houzz Tour: A House Built for the Long Term

By Joanna Tovia

The designers of this one-of-a-kind home made the most of its challenging location to deliver enduring comfort and style

Full Story

MODERN STYLE Out-of-This-World Decorating: Space Age Style for Today

By Judy Polan

Set starbursts and more around your personal universe for a look alight with imagination

Full Story

LIFE Thank U 4 the Gr8 Gift: How to Send Thanks in the Digital Age

By Laura Gaskill

We click open invitations and RSVP via text, but a handwritten thank-you is sometimes still best. Here's how to tell

Full Story

TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Georgian Homes Offer Familiarity Through the Ages

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Americans have been embracing this interpretation of classical architecture since the 1700s. Does your home show off any Georgian details?

Full Story

how long will wine age?

Comments (4)

makalu_gw

aphilla
Original Author

Related Discussions

rosesinny

roseto

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

how long will wine age?

Comments (4)

makalu_gw

aphillaOriginal Author

Related Discussions

rosesinny

roseto

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

aphilla
Original Author