Wines That DON'T Get Better With Age

Over Shabbos, we enjoyed some typical wines that make their way to a host's table as a result of having many guests over: Herzog Wine Zin, Jeunesse, Moscato, etc. Most of the vintages were current, but I did try a bottle of 2005 Bartenura Moscato. This bottle is about three vintages behind since the current release is the 2008 (which I have not tried). This wine is made pressing tons and tons of grapes, letting it ferment into sweet wine in huge steel containers, and then bottled like soda following a process that artificially creates the bubbles (unlike natural bubbles in Champagne). There is nothing complex about this process. The wine is made to drink right away and does not have any of the necessary structure that creates added complexity over time. Getting better with age is a result of a good vintage year, high quality grapes, and a winemaking style that promotes ageability. White Zin and Moscato? They have a shelf life, not a future. While still tasty, they are easily bested by their newer counterparts. This Passover, watch out when you are picking your wines. While some are meant to age, most are made to consume.