Sparkling Wine Aging - Should I Open It or Store it?

Wine is one of the traded commodities worth investing in if you know which wines can age well. Wine enthusiasts sometimes keep special bottles they’ve received as gifts or bought for themselves for a better occasion, prolonging the aging period without even realising it. I witnessed this when I was invited to a friend’s dinner. His mother had kept a bottle of Mumm champagne, received as an anniversary gift in the late '90s. She forgot about it, and only after tidying up did she finds it and decides to open it, without recalling details about the wine.

Let me tell you… As the bottle stood on the table, I was intrigued and curious because I didn’t recognise the packaging of Mumm Gordon Rouge Brut from 90’s, recalling my visit to Mumm’s wine factory in 2016. To put it into perspective this champagne was around 25 years old if not more. I had the honour to open the bottle. To summarise, the colour was deep yellow with an exquisite complex palette on the nose, hints of stone fruit, pear, and citrus, with a long finish of brioche, almond, and apricot. It had medium acidity and a gentle fizz due to prolonged aging. Despite reduced carbonation and darkened colour, the taste and aroma were still complex and beautiful. It was certainly a treat and a delicious experience due to its creamy, rich, unique character. Should I age my champagne? Yes! I will selectively keep some bottles safe for a special occasion 😊

This prompted me to look more into sparkling wine storage and aging, so I thought to share some tips I came across (WSET) in case you want to do the same with certain bottles of sparkling wine.

1. Aging Period: Not all wines age well. Typically, non-vintage wines are aged around 18 months. For a sparkling wine to be classified as vintage, it needs to be aged at least three years en tirage (traditional French Champagne method); and Tête de Cuvée (top batch or blend), seven to eight years. Additional cork aging brings extra natural character to sparkling wine, especially champagne.
2. Age Ability: The wine's ability to age is determined by acidity level and pH. Cooler climates and regions, such as the Champagne region in France, Northern Italy, central Catalunya and UK (Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire), etc; provide higher acidity which aids aging.
3. Batch Quantity: The yield and first batch of fermentation determine the wine's quality and hence aging potential, as it holds more character than later batches.
4. Bottle Sizing: Cork aging in smaller bottles contributes to quicker aging compared to magnum bottles, which provide a more extended aging period and hence quality. Investing in magnum bottles is a good option.
5. Adequate Storage: Store sparkling wine in a cool, dark place, away from light, at a consistent temperature of 7-13°C, and preferably horizontally to keep the cork moist, reducing the risk of oxidation and preserving freshness. Maintaining humidity around 70% is essential to prevent the cork from drying out, ensuring a tight seal and safeguarding the bubbles.
   
   

TIP: Can I drink sparkling wine if it’s not finished after opening? Yes! You can drink the wine, but the bubbles will reduce. To preserve most bubbles, use a pressurised wine stopper and keep the wine in the fridge. It’s best to drink it within two days of opening.

Few Wine Stoppers:

• Champagne Saver & Server
• Vacu-Vin Wine Saver
• Le Creuset Air-Tight Champagne and Sparkling Wine Stopper

You can drink the wine, but the bubbles will reduce. To preserve most bubbles, use a pressurised wine stopper and keep the wine in the fridge. It’s best to drink it within two days of opening.

Vintage bubbles and premium cuvées are best for aging, whereas prosecco is not ideal for aging.


Some wine recommendations for aging: 

D.O. Cava Juvé y Camps Reserva de la Familia 2018

Nyetimber- CLASSIC CUVEE MULTI-VINTAGE
 
HAMBLEDON VINEYARD PREMIÈRE CUVÉE
 
HAMBLEDON PREMIÈRE CUVÉE ROSÉ
 
MUMM CORDON ROUGE
 
Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut



References:
WSET
Wine Spectator