Q&A: Wine & Food Questions
To drink or Hold
I am at the point in my wine education where I struggle to drink or lay down certain wines. Of course I would love to afford a case and try one each year, but hey I am a working sap. Can you advise on CA Pinot, CA Syrah, and ZIN holding practices? And better yet, who is the best person to consult on specifc wines?
Answer From Expert Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
If I were to give you a quick answer to your query, I would say that most wines, particularly in the popular or low premium segments, are meant to be consumed in the near term (within a few years at most of release) and not laid down. So, if you are purchasing wines in this category from California or Australia, for example, you should buy in the quantity that you can consume within that period.
Generalizing, here are more modestly-priced wines (below $20 retail) that will improve with moderate cellaring:
>Bordeaux Haut Medoc/Medoc chateau bottlings*
>Chianti Classico from Tuscany, Italy
>Certain modern reds from Spain**
You may want to check our website for the following wines:
*Chateau Pierbone 2005, Chateau Ramafort 2005, Chateau Peyrabon 2005
**La Montesa 2004 (Rioja), Vilosell 2005 (Costers del Segre)
About The Expert
Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade as an importer and retailer, and at present he is an educator, speaker and consultant. He set up and managed Millesima USA, a New York merchant affiliated with Europe's leader in direct sales of fine wines to consumers. Previously, he served as senior executive of Frederick Wildman & Sons, traveling regularly around the world to visit wineries and taste the new vintage from barrel. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993.
Visit Roger C. Bohmrich, MW's web site
