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great wines take time

In 2022 a small group of experts and friends in the wine business, both in the UK and in Europe decided that there needed to be renewed ‘focus’ on the ‘magic’ that happens in great wines with the alchemy of ‘time’.

Sure, we all understood the need for all vintners to clear their cellars to make room for the future vintages. But somehow many in the wine business and most importantly a new generation of wine drinkers had forgotten or never known the glory of what ‘ageing in the bottle’ does to a wine.

So, we planned a new approach to gradually remedy this situation. To find time to help a re-focus on the undeniable fact that ‘great wines need time’. To celebrate ‘the magic of time’.

This global non-profit initiative, is a ‘foundation’ for the long term. And is for ALL in the business of wine. The wine growers, the wholesalers, the retailers, the passionate wine commentators, but most of all, those that buy and appreciate wine. The vast majority of those buying wine who have never tasted wines of over 10 years in bottle.

You can follow the full story using the navigation menu – top right through En Primeur, a Counter View, The Remedy, Supporters/Members & a Brief Guide to Ageing Wine.

Here are just five examples of the sorts of 10 year + wines available that are all over 10 years of maturation which ‘sing’ in the glass. Great wine needs time.

Lustau’s Wine Trophy Winning Centenary PX. (Pedro Ximenez grape) dessert wine. Lustau’s Almacenista’s limited bottlings from old soleras are part of the absolute summit of Jerez winemaking

Wynns Cabernet Sauvignon Coonawarra Estate 2006.
Dan Murphy’s Aged Cellar Release. Australia. Much Australian wines nowadays seem to come over in huge bulk containers for massive bottling in the UK to save cost. But look for Australian original bottlings, and indeed original French bottlings for French wines, to experience the quiet effect of aging in bottle. To what starts out as high opening acidity, when the wine is young, to gently arrive at a ‘balance’ and delicious complexity at 10 years or more in bottle.

Graham’s 10 year old.
10 year wood aged ports have always represented extraordinary value for matured taste and price.

Warre Vintage 1983. A very long established port estate opposite Pinhao on the Douro. Warre were founded in 1670. The grapes were foot trodden after harvest in a traditional lagare to gently extract the juice from the grape skins. Just think back to what you were doing in 1983. To digital geeks 1983 was the year that Microsoft Word 1.00 was first launched. Vintage port is very long lasting and remarkable value. You can find top Vintage Port 1985’s at between £80 – £99 a bottle. The on- line wine marketplace is incredibly open nowadays. Then there are auctions, and brokers sites

Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese Mosel 1989.
Franz Kramer family have been growing on the Mosel since 1517 . If you enjoy Wolf Hall etc and Henry 8th then this is how long this family have been making wine. But in 1989 this Mosel wine was grown the same year of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Mosel cool climate means the wine is low in alcohol 8%. Perfect – enjoy chilled at any time of the day. Aged German Mosel Riesling is incredible. Dr Lippold, a lifelong Mosel expert, and wine grower himself, collects wines like these in his ‘Treasure Vaults’. The wine is simply dazzling.

Look for great restaurant with good wine lists. A simple guide is ‘look for 10+ year wines’. Ask the sommelier. Be happy to talk what you can afford and what you can’t. All a sommelier wants is a delighted client. These are valuable people in a good restaurant. Do not be confused by too much choice. But then shy away from too little choice also.

One of our early L-T.org visionary supporters are Bespoke Hotels, the largest independent hotel management company in the UK. One of their hotels The Chester Grosvenor has one of the best wine lists in the UK and a very experienced sommelier to guide one through to an unforgettable experience. Do not always look for ‘great names’ look for ‘great finds’ of more than 10+ years in bottle. Be prepared to pay a little more, but enjoy a totally different experience .

The Chester Grosvenor