Answer by: Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
If I were to give you a quick answer to your query, I would say that most wines, particularly in the popular or low premium segments, are meant to be consumed in the near term (within a few years at most of release) and not laid down. So, if you are purchasing wines in this category from California or Australia, for example, you should buy in the quantity that you can consume within that period.
Generalizing, here are more modestly-priced wines (below $20 retail) that will improve with moderate cellaring:
>Bordeaux Haut Medoc/Medoc chateau bottlings*
>Chianti Classico from Tuscany, Italy
>Certain modern reds from Spain**
You may want to check our website for the following wines:
*Chateau Pierbone 2005, Chateau Ramafort 2005, Chateau Peyrabon 2005
**La Montesa 2004 (Rioja), Vilosell 2005 (Costers del Segre)
About the Expert:Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade, and he last served as a senior executive with a major national importer. In 2006, he launched Millesima USA, a retail entity affiliated with Europe's leading fine wine mail order company. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993, and he has been very active as an educator and speaker at wine festivals and conferences. He hosts a community television program entitled "Wine's Simple Pleasures," and is currently working on a book of original recipes and wine pairing solutions. Visit Roger C. Bohmrich, MW's website: MILLESIMA USA LLC
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