How can you tell which wines you should store to age and which you drink immediately?

Answer 1

Varietal and Vintage Not all varietals create age-worthy wines. In general, whites aren't as age-worthy as reds. White's don't have as much tannin, the stuff that tends to preserve wines and lessens with time, as reds do. Sure, there are some whites that are age-worthy -- Chablis, some white Burgundies, Sauternes, some California Chardonnays -- but generally speaking, whites are ready upon release, and those that do benefit from aging needn't age long. Reds, particularly the big, tannic ones or ones high in alcohol, often benefit from aging. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the two varietals mostly closely associated with Bordeaux, often age well. In fact, some grand cru Bordeaux must be laid down for years before they are ready to drink. The Nebiolo grape in Italy is known for making heavy, tannic, gum-drying, mouth-assaulting wines that must be laid down for years before they are approachable. Vintage also matters. Some years produce age-worthy wines; others don't. Wine Spectator publishes vintage charts so you can tell which wines to consume and which ones to lay down.

The majority of wines do not improve with age. Most wines are made to be drank immediately or within a few years of bottling.