The drinking habits seem to be changing, and wines are being drunk earlier and earlier.
Much is influenced by accessibility, as it is very difficult to get wines that are older than 10 years … if you don’t have a cellar yourself.
That being said … this is what the Winehog users on Instagram say…
The result of my somewhat unacademic questionnaire is what I would call as expected.
Around 50% of the wines are consumed within the first 5 years.
35% is drunk when the wine is between 5 and 10 years.
And finally, 17% is not consumed before the wine is 15 years old … or even older.
There are always issues with doing these kinds of questionnaires… and as it is informal, we will live with these issues.
I do want to make some personal conclusions … that could induce some debate at the tasting table.
That being said … this is what the Winehog users on Instagram say…
Results … comment
With my more than 30 years of experience in analytics and research … and more than this in enjoying Burgundies … I have the following comments!
- Only around 20% of the wines are kept to what I would call maturity
- 50% of the wines are drunk young – note this is reds
- In the ready-to-give stage (5-10 years), we have 35% that will get a wine with some ageing and maturity if they are lucky.
Implications
It is pretty clear that a lot of wines must be drunk young … and many too early. There is a need to look at making wines that are ready to drink earlier. Some are doing this already … Nicolas and Céline Groffier with their Domaine DeCéline … yielding wines that invite to consumption from the get-go. Not mature … but with a forward and open style.
Ledy vins by Aurélie is showing a lovely drinkability even within the first years, a style that will please many.
This could be taken further as we, in the end cant live with the fact that most wines – 50% – are consumed too young, and additionally, perhaps 20% are drunk before they are ready.
Short elevage and lower sulphur is the answer for some, and this does work if you like the appeal of young pinot fruit.
On the other hand, long elevage …. some even have three years of elevage – and this could cause a problem, as the wine is not really bottled with the sensation of fresh young pinot still dominating the wine … or is it?
This is definately be a topic for discussions … and with fewer consumers cellaring the wines … I do fear that early drinking will be an increasing problem.
Restaurants typically has less old wines … before vintage 2018 … and this does reduce your options.
In the end, it will reduce the insights in mature Burgundies and the true delights you can find in these 15 years+ old wines … just like we already have seen it with the white Burgundies after the …
We have tried to educate people … to little avail… I say give the people what they need and want.
Burgundy should be a matter of passion, lust and enjoyment … and frankly, I don’t need to be educated to drink a 100 EUR burgundy … If I need information, I will use Google or your preferred AI! … or Winehog.org … the real deal!
Enjoy!
- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable
- A vivacious wine for pure indulgance
- A potential vin d´émotion - frais et léger