Apr 5 – This Week’s Show
This week I’ll be chatting with Mathew Cock, a WSET Diploma, Advanced Sommelier certified vinicultural expert about “does wines can go bad.” We will talk about storing wine and the changes that occur during the aging process.
Does Wine Go Bad?
The good news is that wine does not spoil, but it does degrade over time. The air starts this process, and heat controls the speed. You can’t stop it from happening, but you can slow it down. The most important factor is temperature. Not all wines will transform at the same rate. Interestingly, the less you want to share a wine, the longer it seems to last. If you remember nothing else, remember these things: keep it sealed and keep it cool.
Is Wine Safe to Drink as It Ages?
As a beverage, wine is naturally acidic and alcoholic, which makes it inhospitable to harmful bacteria. Potentially dangerous organisms cannot survive in the levels of acid and alcohol found in wine. Additionally, many wines, especially those shipped in bulk containers or made with residual sugar, undergo filtration that removes microbes. As a result, wine always remains safe to drink, no matter how long it has been stored.
However, wine does not always remain enjoyable to drink because it is a perishable product with a life cycle. Wine moves irreversibly through the stages of youth, maturity, old age, and decay with the passage of time. This transformation initially offers the drinker more charm, then progressively less, and eventually none.
Matthew Cocks, DipWSET, is a vinicultural expert with the “VinoVoss AI Sommelier” smartphone app and web-based semantic wine search and recommendation system, developed by BetterAI. VinoVoss picks the perfect wine for any occasion, courtesy of a highly advanced artificial intelligence architecture. Matthew, as an educator, international judge, and consultant, uses a data-informed approach to help HORECA companies hone their operations and procurement processes, and private clients optimize their wine cellar for enjoyment and investment. Matthew also holds the Advanced Sommelier Certificate from The Court of Master Sommeliers. Reach him and more at www.vinovoss.com.
Later in the program I’ll be sharing some of the technical and chemical faults that can occur in wine regardless of age.
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2020 Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Cava
Pale yellow color with light greenish reflections, clean and bright. Appearance of very fine bubbles and a slight formation of a crown on the surface. Intense fruity notes reminiscent of fresh white fruit and citrus, and light notes of fine lees from the aging. A fresh cava with medium-long intensity. On the palate, lively and fresh acidity with a slight sweetness, making it very pleasant due to its balance and elegance. Fruity aromas, fleshy, long and persistent. Persistent finish with a very elegant bouquet with delicate notes of aging and creaminess. ABV12% Blend: 50% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, 20% Xarel·lo James Suckling 91 – Wine Spectator 90
Learn more about this wine!
Grab a bottle or 6 at Jacob Liquor Exchange on North Rock Road here in Wichita