Do All Wines Get Better with Age?
It is one of the most common ideas in wine.
And one of the most misunderstood.
We often hear that wine “gets better with age,” the same way people sometimes say we do. But while time can add depth and character to some wines, it does not work the same way for all of them.
The short answer is simple:
No. Most wines are not meant to age.
In fact, the majority of wines sold today are made to be enjoyed young, fresh, and vibrant. Aging them for years or decades does not improve them. It usually does the opposite.
So let’s break this down calmly and clearly.
Do All Wines Get Better with Age?
Over the years, I have been sent countless photos of old bottles found in basements, garages, or inherited cellars. The question is almost always the same:
“Is this worth anything?”
Sometimes the bottle looks impressive. Old label. Dusty cork. Famous region printed on the front.
But age alone does not create value or quality.
Just like people, wines are not all built the same way. Some are made to last. Many are not.
Most everyday wines are designed to be enjoyed within a few years of release. They rely on fresh fruit aromas and simple structure. Once those fade, there is very little left holding the wine together.
That is why we use the term “age-worthy wine.”
Because aging is a feature, not a default setting.
Which Wines Age Well? White & Rosé
Let’s start with the styles that generally do not age well.
Most rosé wines are made for immediate pleasure. Their charm comes from freshness, brightness, and delicate fruit. After two or three years, those qualities usually disappear. What remains is often flat and tired.
The same is true for many inexpensive white wines. Their appeal is built on citrus, floral, and grassy notes. These aromas fade quickly, and aging does not add complexity to replace them.
That said, some white wines can age beautifully.
These are usually wines made from higher-quality grapes, often fermented or aged in oak, with enough acidity and structure to evolve over time. As they age, the fruit becomes less prominent and more savory notes appear: nuts, wax, spice, and texture.
Classic examples include certain white Burgundies, white Bordeaux, and well-made oak-aged Chardonnays. These wines are typically more expensive, not because of age alone, but because they are built with aging in mind.
Which Wines Age Well? The Reds
This is where most confusion happens.
As a general guideline, inexpensive red wines are not designed for long aging. Wines under roughly $15–$20 are usually made to highlight immediate fruit, not long-term structure.
They often lack the tannin, acidity, and depth needed to evolve gracefully. Once the fruit fades, there is little left to enjoy.
More structured reds, however, tell a different story.
As you move into mid-range wines, you start to see more careful vineyard selection, lower yields, oak aging, and balanced winemaking. These wines already show complexity beyond fruit: spice, earth, savory notes.
Because of that structure, they can evolve positively over time. Tannins soften. Aromas become more layered. The wine opens up rather than falling apart.
At the top end, you are not just paying for production costs. You are paying for a track record.
Certain estates have demonstrated, over decades, that their wines improve with time. That history creates trust, and trust carries value. This is why price and aging potential are often related, though not perfectly or universally.
Why Do Some Wines Age Better Than Others?
This is the hardest question, and the most honest answer is:
We do not fully know.
There is no single molecule or formula that explains aging potential. Tannins play a role, but they are not the whole story. Some low-tannin wines, like great Pinot Noir, can age remarkably well.
What consistently matters is balance.
When acidity, alcohol, tannins, fruit, and structure are in harmony, a wine tends to evolve more gracefully. Nothing sticks out. Nothing collapses early.
Think of it like a well-engineered machine. When every part works in sync, it lasts longer and performs better over time.
We know from experience that certain vineyards, soils, grape varieties, and winemaking approaches produce wines that age well. We just cannot reduce that knowledge to a single scientific rule.
Wine keeps some of its mystery. And that is part of the appeal.
Final Thought
Aging wine is not about waiting as long as possible.
It is about understanding which wines are built for time and enjoying them at the right moment.
Most wines are meant to be enjoyed now.
A few are meant to be remembered later.
And knowing the difference is one of the quiet pleasures of drinking well.
Cheers.