Buying wine: should I go with a more recent year or something more aged?!
When buying domestic wines under $20 (like Yellow Tail, Ravenswood, Mondavi, Sutter Home, Beringer, etc) should I go with the oldest bottle I can find or most recent!? I heard the cheaper wines are better when they are more recent, but I don't know!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
If its a US wine under $20, age wont really matter!. Honestly, if you want to stay under $20 you will have to stay within the next 5-10 years anyway!. My advice is to get a decanter, or even use a big pitcher!. After opening the bottle taste the wine!. If it is too tart, tannic, or "tight" as us wine geeks like to say, pour it in the decanter and let it sit for a few hours!. I like to figure one hour equals one year!. This is from exposure to oxygen aka the wine is "breathing!." You will note the differance real fast!. This is not as good as aging a wine, has similar effects, and is fine for most under $20 wines!.
With white wine, you want to go within the last 3 years, with only a few very expensive exceptions (like white Burgundy)!.
For a bargain, look for Portugal, Chile, or Argentina!. Spain used to be in that range as well, but has already caught on with the crowd!.
Cheers!Www@FoodAQ@Com
With white wine, you want to go within the last 3 years, with only a few very expensive exceptions (like white Burgundy)!.
For a bargain, look for Portugal, Chile, or Argentina!. Spain used to be in that range as well, but has already caught on with the crowd!.
Cheers!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Neither oldest, nor most recent!. Most domestic wines, especially in that under $20 range, don't really have that aging capacity that some of the really expensive French wines have!. Before being bottled and sold, all of those wines have already been aged for some time in barrels!. Some of those wines might peak after only a few months or a year at most!.
Best thing to do is to go to the winery and taste!. Buy what you like regardless of vintage/age, or label!. If you don't live near any wineries, look for a Beverages and More, or Total Wine!. These days, even most major grocery chains do tastings at least one night a week!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Best thing to do is to go to the winery and taste!. Buy what you like regardless of vintage/age, or label!. If you don't live near any wineries, look for a Beverages and More, or Total Wine!. These days, even most major grocery chains do tastings at least one night a week!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I have had great success with purchasing very good wines under $20 by asking the wine stewards at my favorite stores!. Find a couple of stores with very knowledgeable staff and have a ball picking out excellent wines that won't break the bank!.
I wouldn't worry about the year too much!. Basically wines with higher tannin content will age better (longer)!. Wines that are overly tannic need to age longer to allow the tannins to soften to become drinkable!. Red wines typically have much higher tannin content than white wines because the juice is fermented on the skins and most of the tannin comes from the juice having extended skin and stem contact after crush!.
As a general rule, the primary reason wines are priced high has to do with availability, not how good they are!. There are numerous very good wines to be had for under $20!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I wouldn't worry about the year too much!. Basically wines with higher tannin content will age better (longer)!. Wines that are overly tannic need to age longer to allow the tannins to soften to become drinkable!. Red wines typically have much higher tannin content than white wines because the juice is fermented on the skins and most of the tannin comes from the juice having extended skin and stem contact after crush!.
As a general rule, the primary reason wines are priced high has to do with availability, not how good they are!. There are numerous very good wines to be had for under $20!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
From my experience picking out wine, the cheaper wines usually have a 1-2 year difference on the bottles which really doesn't make a difference!. I enjoy some Mondavi and Barefoot!.Www@FoodAQ@Com