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Who said wines get better with age? Desk of the Director of Tourism The business of tourism

Who said wines get better with age?

You have all heard this cliché. But do wines really get better with age? Many people think so, but the consensus among experts is that this is usually not the case. Ninety per cent of wines made today should be drunk within two to three years of being bottled.

For an important distinction, because a wine must be drunk young does not mean they are not of high quality. There are, in fact, many variables in wine's ability to age.

Type of varietals Red or White

White wines are separated from their skins and seeds which reduces the tannin and are less likely to age well, although some old-world white wines are very 'age-able'.

Some red varietals have thicker skins, providing them with more structure, increasing their ability to withstand bottle aging.

A grape berry is, by weight, 75 per cent pulp, 20 per cent skin, and five per cent seeds.

The skin is largely responsible for the wine's aroma and flavour, as well as its colour and tannin. Tannin gives the wine structure and backbone. It is a natural preservative. All other things being equal, wines with a powerful tannin profile live longer than wines without. Therefore, red varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, can usually be aged longer.

Winemaking

Stainless-steel-fermented and oak-free wines are usually best consumed young, as are red wines that are not complex and are simple due to less than optimum growing conditions. These wines are usually inexpensive.

Complex wines result from proper balance of sugar and acidity. This balance will remain through the aging process.

Oak has a unique ability to transform wine and give it depth, length, complexity and intensity. This increases the wine's ability to age and not surprising oak-aged wines are more expensive.

Location - Elevation

In red wines, the well-drained soils of mountain vineyards cause the vine to produce less fruit and smaller berries. This will result in a skin-to-juice ratio, resulting in a wine that will exhibit more concentration, increased tannin structure, and a darker colour. Therefore, the higher the elevation the more intense the skin-to-juice ratio, and the wines ability to age.

In white wines, optimum growing conditions and well-drained soils produce balance and complexity.

Old World vs New World

In general, old-world wines are slightly higher in acidity and lower in residual sugar/alcohol, making them more likely to be consumed a year or two later than their new-world counterparts. Old world wines include wine regions such as France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, while new world wines include Chile, Argentina, United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc. The exceptions are very concentrated Australian Shiraz, such as Grange or Napa Mountain/Alexander Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

Consumer Opinion

Every wine has an optimum time within which it should be consumed. However, within this time, a wine can change as it's aged. Some people prefer a wine that starts to exhibit a reduction in tannic structure and an increase in earthy notes of leather and tobacco from a well-aged red.

Others prefer the same wine consumed younger, enjoying the contrast of the vibrant fruit characteristics and supple tannins that are present at the beginning of the optimum time period.

A wine that has balance has it from the day it's bottled; balance is not achieved by ageing.

Caribbean Producers is Jamaica's largest wine distributor with a large portfolio of wines that are to be drunk young and suitable for aging.

California's Alexander Valley is an example of a wine suitable for ageing. Other examples include Italy's Super Tuscans, such as Antinori's Solaia & Tignanello, Banfi's Summus & Excelsus, Opus One and Don Melchor.

Caribbean Producers is Jamaica's one-stop shop for fine foods, wines and spirits. Our company's commitment to service has been repeatedly rewarded by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association's Purveyor of the Year Awards for 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

For more information email Devon Reid, marketing manager, Caribbean Producers Jamaica Limited at: dreid@caribbeanproducers.com or call our customer service at: 979-8134-6.