There’s a common misconception among what would be called the ‘uneducated wine drinkers’ that the older the wine is, the better. This is true in any wine created to age in the bottle — but especially these days, not all wines are. There are a huge variety of wines of all types, from all regions, that are made to be drunk immediately, or within two years, tops, from their bottling age. While a wine made to age in the bottle tastes better the longer you let it wait, an immediately drinkable wine tastes better right now. The longer you let an immediate wine sit, the worse it gets.
One of the easiest ways to tell if you’re buying a wine that should age or should be drunk right now is to ask for assistance. However, that’s not always possible. So, read the labels. Most drinkable wines will have wording that gives you some indication that the wine makers expect you to drink the wine right away — phrases like “enjoy it now”, “best within X years”, and “perfect for your dinner table” are polite ways of telling you that this wine was made to imbibe today, not years from now. Price can be a factor as well but not the only determinant. You can spend a small fortune on a wine that should age, yes, but you can spend a lot on a fabulous wine to drink at tomorrow’s dinner party, as well.
In particular, when you receive wine as a gift, take a careful look at the label. Is it one that you’ve seen in grocery stores or in liquor departments priced “reasonably”? Best bet is that it’s a wine to drink tonight, or, worst case, next time these folks visit. If, however, someone delivers a bottle of wine in a crystal case, chances are good it is something to preserve and save for you baby daughter’s wedding.
Remember — drinkability is all in the winemaking. A wine you can drink today can be as wonderful as one you age for twenty years. Just be sure you’re not saving a wine meant to be drunk in 2005 for that wedding planned for 2025.
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