how long is wine good for

[bobbyjo]

i am looking to buy some wine for a wedding gift. in particular, one that will keep so that they can drink it on their anniversary. nothing too expensive preferably. what do i need to look for?

[Innkeeper]

Hi Bobby Jo, and welcome to the Wine Board. I won't even begin to get into the variables we're dealing with here. So will guess you are talking about the first anniversary and that they like red wine. Look for a 2000 Bordeaux in the $15-20 Canadian range. If you know they prefer white, get a 2001 Riesling Kabinett Rhinegau in the same price range.

[bobbyjo]

Thankyou for your ideas, I didn't, however, mean that inexpensive. Being that it is part of a gift, I was looking for anything a hundred. I will look into those though. Thanks again

[Innkeeper]

The Bordeaux at that price point is entry level. You can spend much more. However, the more expensive ones will have to age longer. If you are looking at the ten year anniversary, go ahead and spend a hundred. You can find German riesling in the upper brackets with longer aging potential as well.

[bobbyjo]

Unfortunatley in my area, I am not finding much available in a riesling. Do you know anything about Deidesheimer 1999? Or any other specific dry white wines that I may ask for?

[Innkeeper]

You might look for a Sancerre or a Pouilly Fume both from the Loire Valley in France. You might also look for a riesling from Alsace.

Would need more information of the Deidesheimer to give an opinion. Name of producer, whether or not it is a riesling? Is is just QBA or Kabinett, Spatlese, or Auslese?

There are not many more white wines than these that have much aging potential. Again if you are just talking about a year from now, there are other options.

[bobbyjo]

The Deidesheimer was made in Palatinate (Falz) Germany by Weignut Josef Biffar. It is described as a medium body, with a sugar content listed at D.
I am not sure exactly what the sugar content listings each mean, if you could clarify I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks again. I have managed to locate a Sancerre Les Baronnes 1999. Has anyone ever tried it?

[Innkeeper]

Recommend the Sancerre.