old beaujolais

[gabnickmom]

I recently received a bottle of a 1974 Marquisat Beaujolais Villages for my aniversary gift from a very elderly neighbor. Is it still drinkable?

[dananne]

Welcome to the board. Sorry, but that wine is long dead.

[AzWino]

Dear Gab,

Don't be to hasty in throwing that bottle out yet. Tho I agree that it is past it's prime, you may want to find out how it was cellared. If done properly it may still retain some character.

Best thing to do is to open it let it breathe for about half an hour, pour some into a glass, sniff it to see if it smells vinagery, taste it (just a small sip and be ready to spit it out if sour), if it tastes mellow and has a nice fragerence to it drink it. If not use it for cooking or as a salad dressing. This all depends on how it tastes to you.

Good Luck, Good Drinking and Cheers

[Kcwhippet]

Thirty two year old Beaujolais Villages? Naaah!! I just can't see it happeninig under any storage conditions. Dump it.

[TheEngineer]

Agreed, not much chance of a Beaujolais Village surviving this long. Only worth is the sentimental value that it would bring.

[winoweenie]

About as much chance as Brian Loring getting a good review from the Buckinheimer. WW

[Thomas]

...and I'll add that a B. Village that old should definitely not be allowed to breathe for half an hour after opening. You let an old wine like that breathe and you run the risk of it choking to death on its own aceto bacteria.

Common mistake to think that old wine MUST be allowed to breathe. All wines must be subjected to the treatment that serves them best, and not all old wines, depending upon age and type, benefit from long breathing after opening.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 01-25-2006).]

[WileECoyote]

Agreed. Taste first then breath or decant...

[robr]

I've said it before, vinegar is a very useful household cleaner!

[gabnickmom]

Thanks everyone for the tips. But, since it was stored in a cellar for most of it's life(after hurricane Katrina it's been out on a wine rack), I have to give it the benefit of the doubt, open it and try it. Maybe this weekend. I'll let you guys know for sure...

[winoweenie]

Don't spill any on your fine Chinese Lacquered furniture. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[Thomas]

WW, I don't think a concrete floor will handle the spill either... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[TheEngineer]

I've known people with tougher stomachs than that [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]. ughh.....shivers...

[gabnickmom]

Ok, you guys made up my mind. Instead I'm keeping it for sentimental value. I just can't stop thinking how this wine is even older than I am and that's kind of scary...

[TheEngineer]

The wine is older than you are?? Now your bragging! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Just joking.... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]