Does the alcohol content of a wine remain constant as it ages?
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
Does the alcohol content of a wine remain constant as it ages?
—Alan W., Atlanta
Dear Alan,
As a wine ages, different things happen to it: phenolic compounds link together and drop out of suspension to become sediment, the color changes, fruit flavors fade and secondary notes come into the foreground. But the alcohol content of a wine is determined in the process of fermentation, as sugar is converted into alcohol, and will not change as a wine ages.
—Dr. Vinny
