Some wine critics will include in wine’s review a “drinking window”, or range of years during which they predict the wine will be at its best. We recommend that you subscribe to one of these experts’ newsletters to help you in a selecting wines to buy and in determining how long to age them.
Typically, dry white wines don’t benefit much, if any, from aging (very fine Burgundy, Riesling, and Champagne are prominent exceptions). Nevertheless, it is wise to store them in a cellar to protect them from heat and light damage. Red wines are a different story. A fine, well-balanced red wine from a good vintage will usually improve with some age. Most very fine Cabernet Sauvignons, Bordeaux, Syrahs, Burgundys, Barolos, and Riogjas are made with the expectation that they will be allowed to age in order to reach their full potential.