Three meaningful ways to age wine for your kids

I know it’s not terribly common to wrap up the baby book and immediately lock down Bordeaux futures, but more parents who love wine are thinking long-term: buying cases of wine from their children’s birth year that they can put away in their cellar for a few decades. 

My daughter was born in a year that was an incredible vintage for Bordeaux and Napa.  My son was born in a standout year for Burgundy and Chateauneuf du Pape – all wines that are perfect for long-term aging.  They will continue to develop in bottle for 20+ years, and I look forward to creating my own special occasions with them:

1)     Graduation Party: Birth Year to College Graduation is typically 22 years, which is a perfect peak for many wines, and it can add layers of meaning and richness to be able to celebrate at a graduation party with a child’s birth year vintage.

2)     Special Adult Milestones: Turning 21, moving out of the house, a last family dinner all together at home, a special send-off to a new city, there are so many intimate family moments that may not require a full case of wine, but that still add a lot of love to the table to be able to share something you’ve been saving for decades.

3)     Wedding Wine: Weddings are expensive, and I find it very inventive to hear from families who are storing away relatively inexpensive but high-quality wine now that will be that much more complex and beautiful to celebrate with in 10-15+ years’ time.  This certainly doesn’t need to be a child’s birth year vintage, either!  Provided you have a safe place to cellar the wine, that’s really planning ahead.

To life! - Emily