We’ve talked about this on the blog, but a regular visitor makes the point dramatically with this picture. When you buy wine, drink it. Almost all of the world's wine is made to drink more or less when you buy it – and not to age.
Sadly, the person who bought these three bottles of 1988 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau didn’t know that. Which is not surprising, since most Americans (thank you, Winestream Media) still think that’s true. But Beaujolais isn’t made to age, and nouveau – made quickly so it can be sold shortly after harvest – is especially not made to age.
Hence 24-year-old bottles of wine that look like this. The wine has evaporated in the bottle and those gross splotches (mold, perhaps?) will not doubt enhance the wine’s current post-vinegar flavor profile.
Thanks to Rich Liebman, who sent the photo and has been a loyal reader since the blog started. Where he found them (and it wasn’t his house) is probably best left unsaid.
Another scenario, saving that one bottle for that special occasion. Ten years later, they wonder why that KJ Chardonnay taste rather bad when opened.
Posted by: bburnsey | May 31, 2012 at 12:59 PM
You mean this is not investment grade stuff.
Its about as good as some things in my portfolio.
JG
Posted by: James Gunter | May 31, 2012 at 04:37 PM