Which wine should I buy?

Question

I just turned 21, and I want to buy a bottle of red wine and of white wine, and save it until I'm retired or for 25th wedding anniversary or something special along the road.

Any suggestions? I'm not a fan of red wine, but I'm open to the possibility that I'll acquire a taste for it in the next 20 years... =)

Answer 1

Well, you are talking about cellaring a wine for 25-30 years, which is quite a task even for a serious wine collector like myself.

Not all wine can be kept for a long time. In fact, most of the wine will need to be drank within 5-10 years. White wines tend to have short cellar life. A bottle of Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to last for up to 5 years. i am one of the few people who actually cellaring Sauvignon Blanc, having over 6 vintages of Caymus Conundrum, and I am doing so very carefully and drinking them on regular basis to make sure they are still OK. As for red wine, you will need to put in some money to get some wine which are well made for cellaring.

For white wine, I would suggest white burgundy, white bordeaux, dessert wine, or champagne. As for white burgundy and white bordeaux, you want the top of line wines such as Chateau Haut Brion Blanc, which can cost up to $400-500 per bottle and higher - really out of my budget. Realistically, you are better off with a nice bottle of dessert wine like Chateau Riussec ($55-60 on average vintage), Far Niente Dolce ($75/half bottle), or a bottle of nice champagne like Dom Perignon ($150), La Grande Dame ($170) or Cristal ($200). These are wines which are proven to last for a long time and can be appreciated in 25-30 years in proper storage.

As for red, you need top of the line stuff. Billmex's suggestion of Lafite ($200-600 per bottle, depending on vintage) and Petrus ($600-2000 per bottle, depending on vintage) are not jokes. These are wine that will last for a long time if stored properly. I had seen a bottle of 1947 Lafite opened a few years ago, and according to my sommelier friend, it was still tasting good. At $15000 per bottle, I was not about to have a taste. You don't have to go to such extreme, but you will need something very nice to ensure the quality is still there. Think of great wines of Bordeaux - first growth (Lafite, Mouton, Latour, Margaux, Haute Brion) or second growth (Baron Lougeville, Cos d'Estournal, la Mission, etc); great Californians (Joseph Phelps Insignia-$175, Caymus Special Selection-$125, Robert Mondavi Reserve Cab-$100, Dominus-$120, Chateau Montelena-$100); great Italians (Sassicia-$160, Gaja-$200); great Australians (Grange-$170). If you can't afford those, at least go for the mid price ($60-100) Californian Cabs, such as Far Niente Cab ($70-90), Pride ($60), Silver Oak ($60 or 100). Anything cheaper, and you may be disappointed at those special occasions.

Port is a good choice, since they will cellar well, but I can't imagine opening a port at a wedding anniversary or retirement or something of that occasion.

If you want to cellar the wines, make sure you buy a wine refrigerator while you are at it. My friend bought a bottle of Dom Perignon when his daughter was like 5, and they opened it up for her college graduation. They kept it in the pantry for years, upright. When it was opened and served it to the daughter, claiming it to be the best champagne she will ever have, it was nasty vinegar. Way to ruin a graduation celebration.

Answer 2

Discontinue you said two magic words Italian and crimson buy them a bottle or two of anything with the name RUFFINO! Traditionally Ruffino makes a just right Chianti however Italians all recognize they make a best decision of reds. I checked them out on Wine Spectator and regarded to look if they make a Merlot and that used to be a no go but that grape is just not common to Italy. The Sangiovese, the Neibolo...Yes Merlot no i would go on the safe part and keep on with an Italian purple and go along with Ruffino: A just right Tuscan or Chianti may also be purchased for $10 bucks both 2004 or 2005 Chianti Ruffino

Answer 3

I'd follow the British tradition of buying a bottle of port and setting it aside until whatever anniversary you want to celebrate.

My son received a bottle of 6-year old port when he was a baby, and we were told not to open it until his 21st birthday, as dictated by British tradition. He just turned 18, so we have a few years left, but port ages remarkably well in an ordinary basement or cool pantry. Just make sure you turn the bottle every once in awhile to keep the cork from drying out.

Answer 4

end you suggested 2 magic words Italian and pink purchase them a bottle or 2 of something with the call RUFFINO! in many situations Ruffino makes a sturdy Chianti yet Italians all be responsive to they make a great decision of reds. I checked them out on Wine Spectator and appeared to work out in the event that they make a Merlot and that grew to become right into a no bypass yet that grape isn't situation-unfastened to Italy. The Sangiovese, the Neibolo...specific Merlot no i could bypass on the risk-free element and carry on with an Italian pink and bypass with Ruffino: a sturdy Tuscan or Chianti could be offered for $10 greenbacks the two 2004 or 2005 Chianti Ruffino

Answer 5

Not all wines age well, and they reach their peaks at different times.

This is a case for Wine Man--by which I mean that you go to a good liquor store and tell them exactly what you told us, that you want a red and a white to store for 25 years or more, possibly as long as 50.

I'm sure they'll enjoy the challenge.

Answer 6

I'd buy a good bottle of Port from a really good year (ask your wineseller) and save that for the next 25 years.

Answer 7

Geta a bottle of Petrus or Chateau Lafite, they age well

Answer 8

ahhhhhh....fundador.........one shot......solve......
what if aged? omg! youll forget your name!