How do I know if a wine is ready now?

Work out the wine's age from its vintage and compare it with the style's typical drinking window. Light whites and natural wines are drunk young; classic reds from cool regions benefit from a few years' rest. The tool does the maths for you.

Which wines are worth ageing?

Structured reds (Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese), sweet wines like Sauternes and Port, and some Rieslings. Light, fruit-driven wines rarely gain from ageing – they tend to lose their freshness instead.

Cellar tool

Cellar or drink now?

Pick a style and vintage – find out whether to open the bottle tonight or let it rest and improve.

Wine styleVintage: 2023

FAQ

Most wines are made to be drunk within 2–3 years. Some quality reds with high acidity and lots of tannin – like Bordeaux, Barolo and vintage Port – can develop for 10–40 years if stored right: dark, cool (around 12 °C), vibration-free and lying down.