[ UUNDERSTANDING WINE ]

Everything you need to know about wine ageing.

Photo of bottles aging peacefully in a natural cellar, illustrating a EuroCave article to learn more about wine aging.

Wine is a living substance that differs from spirits and beer due to its continuous evolution, even after being bottled. The ageing process is a delicate and gradual transformation during which wine can develop its full richness, provided it is stored in an appropriate environment. Delve into the mysteries of this transformation, discover which wines are suitable for ageing, and learn the best practices to preserve them under optimal conditions.

Why do we age wine ?

During the ageing process, chemical reactions take place that enhance not only the winemaker's original intention during maturation but also the terroir and climatic conditions in which the grapes were grown. While young wines are primarily characterised by their fruity aromas and freshness, aged wines gain depth and complexity: tertiary aromas emerge, and tannic wines see their structure soften. This process brings a richness and elegance that reveal the true essence of wine.

The aging of wines in a cellar completes the work of the winemaker and the terroir where the vine has grown.

How aromas, textures, and colours evolve over time.

As wine ages, it undergoes a remarkable transformation, particularly in terms of aroma. The primary notes of young wines, such as fresh fruit, flowers, and herbs, gradually fade, giving way to more complex tertiary aromas like honey, spices, forest floor, and mushrooms. These aged aromas are particularly sought after in mature wines.

The texture of wine also changes. Red wines lose their astringency as tannins bind together and settle at the bottom of the bottle, resulting in a rounder and smoother mouthfeel. Similarly, dry white wines can develop a richer, creamier texture over time.

Finally, the colour of wine changes due to oxidation. White wines shift from pale hues to golden and then amber shades as they age, while red wines evolve from deep purple to brick red, eventually turning brown.

These changes reflect the passage of time and require optimal storage conditions, which only a dedicated ageing cellar can provide.

A natural cellar or an air-conditioned wine room helps to keep wine in good conditions over the long term so that it reaches its peak.

Graph representing the life of wine.

1. Bottling
The wine does not taste as good as it did when maturing.It must get used to its new, smaller container. It is constricted and needs time to recover.

2. Youth of wine
The wine is pleasant to taste with a fruity expression, including wines suitable for cellaring, whilst the substance is rich and constantly evolving.

3. Closed
After expression of fruit, wines suitable for cellaring go through a difficult phase, sometimes termed the adolescence of wine.The wine communicates badly and becomes withdrawn whilst waiting for its prime. The duration of this period varies and is difficult to estimate.

4. Prime
Prime is the stage at which wine fully expresses itself.It will not improve further, it must therefore be drunk. It has reached maturity.

Infographic - Diagram illustrating the wine's life cycle from bottling to its peak. EuroCave article: Everything you need to know about wine aging.

Which wines can age ?

Not all wines are meant to be aged. The ability to improve with time depends on grape varieties and winemaking techniques. Concentrated, tannic red wines and certain white wines with sufficient acidity or sugar content are particularly suitable for ageing. Sparkling wines produced using the traditional method with lees ageing, as well as sweet wines with high sugar content, also age remarkably well.

Special mention goes to wines from prestigious appellations or historic vintages. Thanks to factors such as grape quality, winemaking techniques, and unique terroirs, these wines have exceptional ageing potential. As they mature, they can develop unparalleled aromas and textures, offering complex nuances absent in their younger versions. However, this potential can only be realised if storage and ageing conditions are meticulously maintained.

A EuroCave electronic wine cellar is the best place to age wine in a flat or in our modern homes, because it reproduces the essential conditions found in a natural cellar.

How to store wine for optimal ageing?

For wine to evolve harmoniously, bottles must be stored in a dark space with a constant temperature of around 12°C. Temperature fluctuations should be avoided as much as possible. Excessive heat can dangerously accelerate the ageing process, while excessive cold can slow it down. Moreover, ultraviolet light can alter the quality of the precious nectar.

Humidity levels in the ageing cellar are also crucial. For optimal ageing, wine must benefit from gas exchanges through the cork. If the cork dries out, excessive oxygen could enter the bottle, causing irreversible oxidation. Conversely, excessive humidity can encourage mold growth and unpleasant odours, potentially contaminating the wine.

For more information on ideal ageing conditions, discover the 6 essential criteria for storing your wine.

A wine ageing cellar is the ideal solution for ensuring perfect storage conditions. By recreating and controlling the ideal environment for proper wine maturation, each bottle can reach its peak and offer you a truly memorable tasting experience.

EuroCave, the expert in wine ageing.

For nearly 50 years, EuroCave has been manufacturing its wine cellars in France. As the inventor of the wine cellar in 1976, EuroCave is recognised worldwide as the expert in wine ageing – to such an extent that a wine aged in an EuroCave cellar is considered a guarantee of optimal preservation at auctions.