Grapevine: The Parallels in the Life Cycle of Your Child and a Glass of Wine
Very few things in life aren’t in a constant state of change. Our lives are in perpetual motion as we traverse through numerous life passages, at times in control of our destiny and at other times seemingly at the mercy of the whim of greater forces.
I was ruminating on this recently as I was savoring a 15-year-old glass of fine California Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve often stated that wine is one of the few products in nature that changes its physical character and composition in a manner that is somewhat aligned with human development.
As a living, breathing organism, a fine wine’s life cycle can span a long period, as it evolves from a basic fruit juice to a complex, nuanced embodiment of the influence of its maker. This evolution in a bottle, if you will, takes place with varying results. Just as human development is impacted by an individual’s history and environment, so, too, is it with wine.
Certain wines reach their peak early in their life cycle, never to improve, while others have an intrinsic potential that evolves and blossoms over time. In many ways this is similar to the developmental stages of a child, who is born into the world with the imprint of his or her genealogy; is nurtured in unique familial surroundings; and ultimately matures as a unique representation of his or her upbringing.
There are certain aspects of winemaking that affect each stage of its life cycle.
One winemaker will nurture a wine, intending it to mature at an early age, with minimal intervention, releasing it into the market to be evaluated on its own merits.
Another winemaker will painstakingly coddle and cuddle a wine in its youth, intending for the bottled wine to continuously evolve, not achieving its true expression for decades, as it interfaces with, and is influenced by, its environment. So, too, with human development.
What are the physical attributes of a bottled wine that allow for such diversity in the end product? What is the physiological process a wine undergoes in a bottle that determines its level of maturity and superiority? In some respects, they parallel human development.
There are four basic components of wine, each present in varying degrees and exerting varying influences: tannins, acidity, taste and alcohol. The combination of each of these determines the final style and life cycle of wine.
1) Tannins provide longevity. Somewhat harsh and unrefined at first, over time they soften and add a strong backbone and character to wine. Certain winemakers avoid tannins in order to produce a fresh wine that may be enjoyed in its youth. Others seek out high levels of tannins, which while initially harsh tasting, will soften over time and add complexity, sophistication and longevity. So, too, with human development.
2) The level of acidity and 3) the taste (fruit) in a wine will determine its balance. Too little acidity and the wine may be lush but without any distinction. Too much and the end product may be acerbic and off-putting. As a wine matures, its acidity softens and its taste declines, so that the end result may be either a bland wine or a well-balanced, nuanced product with deep-rooted complexity. Each winemaker seeks the ideal balance. At times this is immediately evident; other times it may be years before such balance is achieved. So, too, with human development.
4) The level of alcohol remains constant throughout the life of a wine. Early on, it may create a harsh and unbalanced wine. As a wine matures, the alcohol will tend to mellow its overall character, making it more approachable and pleasant. So, too, with human development.
Just as we observe our fellow humans as they age and mature, developing our own perception of their personality and character, so, too, with wine. But don’t over think either. Appreciate and enjoy them for what they are: products of their environments, for better or worse.
Nick Antonaccio is a 40-year Pleasantville resident. For over 20 years he has conducted 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.
