Suggestions
for
Maximum
Enjoyment
|
To
maximize
your
enjoyment
of
Brew
King's
array
of
fine
winemaking
products,
the
following
information
on
the
ageing
and
storing
of
your
finished
wines
may
prove
useful.
(See
our
Wine
Kit
information)
|
AGEING
As
with
all
wines,
some
degree
of
ageing
ill
the
bottle
for
finished
wines
from
Brew
King
products
is
beneficial,
allowing
the
full
complexity
and
intensity
of
aromas
and
flavors
to
come
through.
Red
wines
become
richer,
as
the
initial
fruit
flavors
mellow
and
tile
astringent
tannins
relax,
contributing
to
the
body
and
character.
White
wines
showing
high
acid
levels
will
soften
over
time,
revealing
wonderful
textures
and
flavors.
Components
of
wines
differ
by
variety
or
blend,
and
thus
react
differently
to
ageing.
some
wines
require
longer
ageing
periods
than
others.
For
example:
 |
MORE
AGEING |
SOME
AGEING |
LITTLE
AGEING |
Red
Wines:
|
Cabernet
Sauvignon
Barolo
Style
Luna
Rossa |
Merlot
Pinot
Noir
Valpolicella |
Bergannais
™
All
blush
wines |
|
Whites
Wines: |
Chardonnay/Semillon
Ruisseau
Blanc
Luna
Bianca
™ |
Sauvignon
Blanc
Johannisberg
Riesling |
Liebfraumilch
Style
Piesporter |
|
|
Different
factors
exert
influence
on
the
rate
of
ageing
and
can
contribute
to
a
better
ageing
potential:
|
Storage
|
A
very
big
factor,
addressed
in
more
detail
below. |
| Cork
quality |
The
longer
and
less
porous
the
cork,
the
better
the
oxygen
barrier,
extending
ageing
potential. |
| Ullage |
The
amount
of
head
space
in
the
bottle.
Leaving
1
-
1
12
inches
is
best. |
|
Sulphite
level |
Higher
concentrations
protect
from
oxidation. |
|
So
how
should
you
treat
the
ageing
period
for
different
U
brew
King
products!
The
answer
depends
on
many
factors.
For
example,
using
a
long,
high
quality
cork
or
adding
some
extra
sulphite
at
bottling
will
extend
tile
maximum
age
period.
Thus,
use
the
following
as
a
general
guideline
only: |
|
Wine
Selections |
Best
After |
Best
Before |
| Selection
Reds |
3
-
6
months |
3
years |
| Selection
Whites |
1
-
3
months |
2
years |
| Vintners
Reserve
Reds
Vintners |
2
months |
1
year |
| Reserve
Whites |
1
month |
1
year |
| Chai
Maison |
Immediate |
1
year |
|
Harbour
Mist
|
Immediate |
1
year |
STORAGE:
Storage
plays
a
big
role
in
the
ageing
process
and
can
make
or
break
a
finished
wine.
Generally,
white
wines
-
sweet
wines
and
champagne
above
all
-
are
more
frail
than
reds.
Grape
variety
can
also
make
a
difference
-
for
example,
Cabernet
Sauvignon
wines
are
generally
more
resilient
than
Pinot
Noirs.
However,
always
minimizing
the
risks
involved
in
bottle
storage
-
heat,
light,
lack
of
humidity
and
constant
movement
is
the
wisest
plan. |
Temperature:
The
ideal
cellar
temperature
is
45
-
55
F
(7
-
13
degrees
C).
Wines
can
be
stored
up
to
68
F
(20
C)
but
note
that
wine
matures
much
more
rapidly
at
higher
temperatures.
At
lower
temperatures,
slower
maturation
allows
more
complexity
to
develop.
Constant
temperature
is
the
key
-
chronic
fluctuations
should
be
avoided |
Light:
Sunlight
and
ultraviolet
light
are
as
bad
for
wine
as
excessive
heat,
but
are
problems
usually
much
easier
to
overcome.
Though
most
wines
are
protected
by
colored
glass
bottles,
place
wines
in
areas
away
from
light
or
cover
them
with
a
blanket. |
Humidity:
Some
degree
of
humidity
is
beneficial
to
ensure
that
the
exposed
end
of
tile
cork
does
not
dry
out
and
allow
in
oxygen.
Thus,
beware
air
conditioners
that
suck
moisture
out
of
the
air.
Ideally,
relative
humidity
should
be
between
60
-
75%. |
Movement:
Wine
does
not
take
well
to
constant
movement
and
vibration
(particularly)
if
there
is
sediment
present),
thus
a
secure
storage
space
is
necessary.
Secure
storage
should
also
lean
storing
bottles
horizontally,
allowing
constant
contact
of
the
wine
with
the
cork
and
preventing
it
from
drying
out. |
A
simple
check
of
all
Environmental
Influences
in
or
near
your
storage
area
is
advised.
Areas
such
as
garages
or
attics,
which
seem
cool,
may
be
subject
to
temperature
fluctuations
due
to
lack
of
insulation.
A
good
option
is
to
insulate
a
small
room,
large
cupboard
or
area
under
the
stairs,
void
of
ally
heat
sources
like
a
water
pipe
or
a
boiler.
Following
up
with
preventative
maintenance
is
also
useful,
like
keeping
a
resident
thermometer
on
hand
and
checking
it
regularly.
Allowing
for
the
ageing
of
your
finished
wine
in
an
environment
which
helps
to
preserve
its
finer
qualities
will
pay
big
dividends
in
ensuring
that
you
will
have
the
best
wine
possible
to
enjoy
with
friends
and
family.
Cheers!
For
more
information
with
nice
pictures
The
following
Wine
Flyers
are
in
Adobe
Reader
format.
Use
this
link
if
you
need
to
download
the
Reader
-
follow
this
link
to
Adobe
Reader
|
