Vintage Wine,I have always thought it a fun idea to buy a bottle of wine for my 30th, 40th and 50th birthday that was as old as I am. Hence, I was wondering if there were any projections for a decent wine that will last from my birth year in 1983 to the year 2033 or longer.
plumdumplings // Feb 20, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Hi there – I’m in agreement with all the previous answers, but just wanted to give you a little more information about port.
Fortunately for you, 1983 WAS a declared vintage year (not all years are), but only for about half the manufacturers (the other half declared 1982). Apparently those that declared the 83s came out way ahead of those declaring the 82s which are already past their prime.
So 1983 was a decent, but not spectacular year, so I don’t know that you’ll get 50 years out of the wine. I was just picking through a port reference book I have and it has the 1983 Vintage Gould-Campbell, Warre’s and Graham’s listed as wine for long term. Those are about the only 83s they comment on that will give you any age at all.
Sauternes is another wine to consider. It often comes in 1/2 bottles and I’ve seen some that say they will last for 100 years!
Here’s a link to a page with more links of vintage charts to help you out. Unfortunately, they don’t all seem to go back to 83, but some do. http://www.chiff.com/wine/vintages.htm
RPM // Feb 20, 2011 at 11:39 pm
You will have to buy a really high end wine to get that kind of quality. I’m talking $100+ or more a bottle and would have to be a red wine (whites do not age as well as reds). Plus, you better have the proper storage or wine cellar available to age this bottle? Otherwise, there’s no point to making the purchase. Most wines being produced today ($10 range) are made to take home and enjoy! So the old idea ALL wines last "forever" or "get better with age" is just not true these days, unless you are buying a high end wine. Good luck in your search!
John de Witt // Feb 20, 2011 at 11:39 pm
Lots of luck finding them. Other than Bordeaux (claret) and Barolos, not many wines will stand up for that long, and it isn’t as if there are a lot of 83′s still around. You might try for a Margaux in the former, or a Giacosa in the latter. They ain’t cheap.
rob2ca20 // Feb 20, 2011 at 11:39 pm
You have to get something high end. It has to have a lot of tannins in it so that it will hold up….A cad… BUT – Unless it was aged properly (In a cooler), there will be no guarantee it will be any good. Not knowing the history, that makes it extra hard. Also – you will pay through the noise.
You will have better luck with a port. As they are fortified, they hold up better. A good old port is not that hard to get.