How to properly open a bottle of wine

Opening a vintage bottle of wine is more than just uncorking and pouring. It’s an experience—a deliberate act of savoring time. To get the best out of these aged treasures, you need to consider when and how to open them carefully. This guide will help you make that moment unforgettable.

Timing Is Everything

Vintage wines evolve over time, and knowing when to open them can be the difference between drinking something transcendent or disappointing. The age, type of wine, and how it's been stored all play critical roles.

Type of Wine: Reds like Bordeaux, Barolo, or Napa Cabernets often age for decades, whereas whites like Rieslings or vintage Champagnes mature faster but can surprise you with longevity.

Wine Age: If your wine is between 10 to 20 years old, it’s probably approaching its prime. But when you’re dealing with 30- to 40-year-old bottles, you’re entering a more uncertain zone—where it could be a masterpiece or past its peak.

Occasion: Vintage wine should match the significance of the moment. A long-held bottle can elevate anything, from grand celebrations to more personal, reflective times. But waiting too long can mean missing the optimal drinking window.

To Hold or Drink?

It’s tempting to hold onto a vintage bottle forever, thinking it will only get better. But all wines have a peak, and some won’t age gracefully forever. If your bottle is about two-thirds into its aging potential, start planning to open it soon.

Storage: A Silent Partner

How the wine was stored will determine whether it will deliver a spectacular experience or not. Ideally, the bottle should have been kept at 55°F with the right humidity (60-70%). Temperature fluctuations can accelerate the aging process and damage the wine.

Opening the bottle..

Prepare the Bottle

Older wines, especially those that have been sitting for years, will have sediment. Stand the bottle upright for 24-48 hours before opening, letting the sediment settle.

Choose the Right Tools

The cork is likely fragile, and using a standard corkscrew could cause it to crumble. Instead, go for a Prong type wine opener, which is perfect for lifting out delicate corks without damaging them. If you have a well-preserved cork, a waiter’s corkscrew with a thin, smooth spiral will do just fine.

Open Carefully

Once you’re ready to open the bottle, go slow. Insert the prongs gently into the neck of the bottle, wiggling it down the sides of the cork. If it breaks, don’t panic—just extract the remaining part slowly or strain the wine if necessary.

To Decant or Not?

Decanting vintage wine is a delicate process. Unlike younger wines, older ones can suffer from too much oxygen exposure. If you do decant, do so right before serving, and opt for a decanter with a narrow neck to minimise oxidation. For very old wines, you may want to skip decanting entirely and let the wine evolve in the glass.

The Tasting Moment

Now comes the payoff. Pour a small amount and observe its color. Reds will show brick or amber hues with age, and whites may turn golden. On the nose, vintage wines are often complex, with layered aromas that unfold as they breathe.

Take that first sip. Don’t rush it. Vintage wines are subtle, evolving as they interact with air. Let it sit for a moment—older wines can shift rapidly as they breathe, offering different flavors with each minute that passes.

Enjoy, Don’t Wait

Once opened, vintage wine fades quickly. Plan to enjoy the entire bottle within a few hours, as its delicate flavors will degrade after prolonged exposure to air. If you have leftovers, re-cork it, store it in the fridge, and finish it within 24 hours.

It’s a Ritual, Not Just a Drink

Opening a vintage wine is a ritual—an act of reverence for what’s inside. You’re not just drinking; you’re experiencing years, sometimes decades, of craftsmanship and time. By carefully choosing when and how to open it, you can transform a simple moment into something timeless.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or creating one by opening that bottle, the magic of vintage wine is in how it ties the past to the present.