Collecting Q&A: Aging Conditions for Sweet Wine

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Peter D. Meltzer
Posted: April 9, 2009

Q: I own several Château Guiraud Sauternes 2005 and I want to let them evolve instead of drink them right away. Do sweet wines need special aging conditions? --Gabriel Manzano

A: The same rule of thumb applies to Château Guiraud as it would to any other collectible wine: under ideal circumstances, place the wine in a temperature and humidity-controlled storage unit, which keeps the wine at approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 70+ percent humidity. If you don't have a storage unit, then find a cool and relatively damp space that is free from vibration and more important, fluctuation in temperature. You'll probably want to wait another five years before it reaches optimum maturity.

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