Is 30 year old wine ok to drink?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a bottle of wine that was bottled in 1978 for a 30th birthday present. I've seen some ranging from £25-£45, generally would these be drinkable?

Any other advice appreciated!

Answer 1

if it was a superior quality bottle designed to be laid down, it's been correctly looked after and isn't corked than you might be alright.

on the other hand, it could well be vinegar. the majority of wine isn't meant to be kept longer than a few years.

only do this from a reputable wine merchant, would be a cool present though.

you would be safer with an aged whisky or cognac from 78.

Answer 2

Look the theory is that wine gets better with age. Within the price range you have named you could get some really lovely wines. There won't be a Grange or a Chateau Laffitte for that money but you will still get a lovely wine.

Make sure the bottle has been stored properly - cellared, laid down and not moved too much. It should have received a quarter turn every couple of months for the last 30 years. This prevents the cork drying out. If the cork dries it shrinks, allowing air to enter the bottle, moulds to form and for the wine to go off or to oxidise.Buy only from a reputable wine dealer and make sure you geta quality guarantee or you will be very disappointed when your expensive wine turns out to be vinegar.

Answer 3

My family owns a vineyard.  Our best stuff is from the early 1900's.  Last Christmas we drank a 1904 merlot.  One glass and we were all gone.  The taste was out of this world!

Answer 4

The older the better!

Answer 5

I would drink it.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

It is ok to drink but i wouldn't. Keep it for a long time, the longer you keep it the higher in Price it will go up. there a lot of other good wines you can go buy and drink. Let that one age. Appreciate it.

Answer 8

As long as the bottle and cork are intact they should be fine, they might even taste better.  

Answer 9

that depends on the wine, the year and a few other factors.

30 years is pretty old for most wines, although some are perfectly drinkable at that age.

but again it depends on different factors

First of all the quality of the wine.  Some wines will turn to vinegar within a matter of 2-3 years while some of the great bourgogne will last over 100 years, but even with many famous wines the year is a determening factor.  Good years can result in wines that last over 100 years while bad years can only be good for 20 years.

Also the preservation of the wine is important  if the wine were preserved in a dark cellar at good temperature and humidity it will preserve much longer than when preserved at room temperature in full light.

if you don't know the answers to all these questions, the only way to know for sure is to open and taste

Answer 10

Im not big on alcohol dates but doesnt wine just get stronger and stronger over time? It should be drinkable, just maybe stronger than the label says. Give it a go.

Answer 11

hm... they're supposed to be more expensive..

they might be okay to drink but not too good to taste

Answer 12

any aged wine is okay to drink, might even improve the taste