Grapevine: Celebrate a Legacy Occasion With a Legacy Wine

Many of us have helped mark a special occasion with fine wine. What better way to celebrate and honor a spouse, child, family relative or friend than a gift that can be shared by all. The clinking of glasses filled with the libations of a painstakingly selected bottle of wine symbolizes the comradery, the close bond, the emotional connection we feel as we congregate around the dinner table in the midst of a group of like-minded revelers.

I’ve always felt that this aspect of enjoying wine with family and friends is more fully enjoyed with planning and forethought. I typically purchase a special bottle of wine for these occasions.

One aspect of celebrating special occasions never entered my mind until recently. Why not commemorate a landmark with a bottle of wine from the birth-year of a child or the marriage-year of a relative? It wasn’t until our first grandchild was born that I began to think of purchasing legacy wines, or memory wines, as I’ve come to refer to them.

A memory wine is a wine harvested in the year of the birth of someone special, purchased at, or soon after, release and then stored away (by the bestower or the recipient) until that date in the future when the recipient attains a landmark. It might be the future commemoration of the 21^st birthday of a family member, a 25^th or 50^th wedding anniversary of close ones or an auspicious occasion that has a special connotation.

But which wine will symbolize the importance of attaining a life-status; will memorialize the generosity and forethought of a relative, decades hence?

Here are my thoughts from my extensive research and ultimate purchases for my grandchildren:

1. Select age-worthy wines. Most wines are produced to be consumed within a few years of harvest. I sought out wines that were built to last; wines produced in such a manner to improve in taste and character as they aged over a 20 to 30 year continuum. A number of wines are noteworthy for their ability to age: French Bordeaux and Burgundy wines are considered the premier aging wines, along with select Napa Valley Cabernets and Italian Barolos. As one might expect, these wines command a premium price. While it is not critical to invest several hundred dollars in a single bottle of First Growth Bordeaux or Grand Cru Burgundy (which translates into a significant investment for a case), most age worthy wines are priced in excess of $75.

2. Consider the quality of the vintage year. In highly rated years, prices rise; you may have to seek out a lesser – but excellent – wine to match your price affordability range. In less regarded years, you can invest in the highly desirable labels at a lesser cost.

3. How many bottles? It’s difficult to celebrate with a single bottle. If your budget permits, a six-pack or a case is preferable. A case is the gift that keeps on giving year after year of lasting memories.

4. Here’s the rub: Investing in age-worthy wines requires age-worthy storage. The top of the fridge or the back of a closet are grossly inadequate. If you don’t have the benefit of owning a climate-controlled wine cellar, consider a certified, bonded storage service. There are a number in our area that are reliable and not prohibitively expensive.

So, what have I selected for my memory wines for my grandchildren? The safest choice would have been a highly regarded Bordeaux. Resisting this temptation, I ultimately decided that I should be patriotic and pass on my patriotic fervor to my grandchildren.

Although there aren’t many American wines that compare favorably to high-end French wines, I narrowed my selection to three Napa wines and then chose one of my all-time favorites: Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon blend. Several cases of several vintages are now resting comfortably in my climate-controlled wine cellar.

Memory wines can be the perfect legacy gift. If you’re so inclined, don’t procrastinate. Fine wines not only improve with age, but their prices increase commensurately. Buy now. You will guarantee your legacy with family and/or friends.

Nick Antonaccio is a 40-year Pleasantville resident. For over 20 years he has conducted numerous wine tastings and lectures. He also offers personalized wine tastings and wine travel services. Nick’s credo: continuous experimenting results in instinctive behavior. You can reach him at nantonaccio@theexaminernews.com or on Twitter @sharingwine

Nick Antonaccio