2017 Wine For New Godsons?
Discussion
Hi all,
I've recently had two twin godsons "gifted" to me, and I've been thinking about buying them both a bottle of wine to commemorate their birth year, that I can hopefully drink with them on their 18th.
Just wondering if anyone had any advice on what to buy? Guessing it's too early at the moment as we're only a few weeks in, but any tips or thoughts would be great.
Cheers, Dom
I've recently had two twin godsons "gifted" to me, and I've been thinking about buying them both a bottle of wine to commemorate their birth year, that I can hopefully drink with them on their 18th.
Just wondering if anyone had any advice on what to buy? Guessing it's too early at the moment as we're only a few weeks in, but any tips or thoughts would be great.
Cheers, Dom
You're right about it being too early for 2017 wines, as these will (for good wines) generally be released with tasting notes and prices from late in the year in question into the following year (so for 2017 wines it'll be from late 2017 and into 2018). Individual bottles may be difficult to come by on release too, as wines are (generally) sold by the case at that stage - so in 6 or 12 bottle (or 24 half bottle, etc.) multiples, with single bottles being typically easier to find as time progresses.
Probably the most important thing to look for with your plan, is those that will age well: supermarket wine - even the "good supermarket" - is often intended/designed to be drunk within the year that it is made/sold... at the other end of the range (for example) a single bottle of 2000 Petrus will today cost you the best part of £4k after duty, delivery and VAT ( source). If you buy in 2017/2018, you'll also have to pay for professional wine storage for 15/16/17 years (depending when it actually leaves the vineyard) to ensure it is at its best when you want to share it with your godsons.
With these things in mind, possibly the best research you could do at this stage is to pick your price point (remember those storage costs!), and then use search filters on price and year (using 2016 as an research/example starting point) at FRW (e.g. - others are available), reading the reviews etc., to see what vineyards/labels are likely to age well and be within your price range for 2017 releases.
Probably the most important thing to look for with your plan, is those that will age well: supermarket wine - even the "good supermarket" - is often intended/designed to be drunk within the year that it is made/sold... at the other end of the range (for example) a single bottle of 2000 Petrus will today cost you the best part of £4k after duty, delivery and VAT ( source). If you buy in 2017/2018, you'll also have to pay for professional wine storage for 15/16/17 years (depending when it actually leaves the vineyard) to ensure it is at its best when you want to share it with your godsons.
With these things in mind, possibly the best research you could do at this stage is to pick your price point (remember those storage costs!), and then use search filters on price and year (using 2016 as an research/example starting point) at FRW (e.g. - others are available), reading the reviews etc., to see what vineyards/labels are likely to age well and be within your price range for 2017 releases.
You could consider getting something like a Tawny Port. Keeps well(ish). Or a whisky.
You cannot expect a red wine to keep for eighteen years unless it is professionally cellared. If you were going to do that I'd buy a case of an "investment" wine. Give'em one each when they're eighteen and sell the other ten bottles to cover the costs...
You cannot expect a red wine to keep for eighteen years unless it is professionally cellared. If you were going to do that I'd buy a case of an "investment" wine. Give'em one each when they're eighteen and sell the other ten bottles to cover the costs...
Not sure your average 18 year old is going to be that interested in fine wine either. I know I wasn't at that age, lager yes, wine no. My tastes have improved with age but I didn't really start appreciating the stuff until I was at least 25-30.
As others have said unless properly cellared it will be vinger by the time they get to drink it. Port or whisky are better suggestions perhaps but then I'm not sure many 18 year olds have an appreciation of those either.
As others have said unless properly cellared it will be vinger by the time they get to drink it. Port or whisky are better suggestions perhaps but then I'm not sure many 18 year olds have an appreciation of those either.
I have a couple of cases of 2009 stored by berry bros. purchased for my son and godson in theory but reality is probably that they will be drunk by me and his dad...
Or sold.
Storage costs are not expensive annually £12 per year I think but will add up.
You will also need to pay the tax due when you release them from storage
2009 was the birth year but given as a christening present at 1yo.
Or sold.
Storage costs are not expensive annually £12 per year I think but will add up.
You will also need to pay the tax due when you release them from storage
2009 was the birth year but given as a christening present at 1yo.
2017 grapes will be harvested in September and unless you fancy some Beaujolais Nouveau you could probably not want to taste anything until about April next year, at the earliest, and probably late 2020.
A friend of mine visited several Grande Chateaux 3 years after the birth of each of his kids and personally selected the wines he wanted to lay down to be drunk on their confirmations, 21st, marriages and christening of grand children etc.
This at least has the potential for a decent holiday in a few years time as well as something to reminisce about with the kids as you work through the bottles over a very long period of time.
He is French and has a cellar, of course, but having recently tasted a bottle left over from his daughters 50th, he also has the satisfaction of making very wise choices.
A friend of mine visited several Grande Chateaux 3 years after the birth of each of his kids and personally selected the wines he wanted to lay down to be drunk on their confirmations, 21st, marriages and christening of grand children etc.
This at least has the potential for a decent holiday in a few years time as well as something to reminisce about with the kids as you work through the bottles over a very long period of time.
He is French and has a cellar, of course, but having recently tasted a bottle left over from his daughters 50th, he also has the satisfaction of making very wise choices.
Join the Wine Society (one off £40 payment but with a £20 credit against your first order) and give them a call. They will recommend something suitable and also can arrange storage in their controlled warehouse for you.
As said though wine with aging potential of 20 odd years will only be available en primeur at the moment.
As said though wine with aging potential of 20 odd years will only be available en primeur at the moment.
Davey S2 said:
Join the Wine Society (one off £40 payment but with a £20 credit against your first order) and give them a call. They will recommend something suitable and also can arrange storage in their controlled warehouse for you.
As said though wine with aging potential of 20 odd years will only be available en primeur at the moment.
As a very satisfied member , I'd totally endorse that comment. They also do En Primeur, in fact at the moment they have "bin ends" which are good to the 2040's well worth a go. As said though wine with aging potential of 20 odd years will only be available en primeur at the moment.
Here we are : https://www.thewinesociety.com/shop/productdetail....
Edited by Hosenbugler on Thursday 19th January 16:45
+1 for the wine society. Great for high end wines but also their £6/bottle stuff is vastly superior to spending the same money in a supermarket.
As for what to get your god sons - Vintage Port would be a good option. My dad got me a case of it when I was born and I knew nothing of it until my 21st. Getting through it at about a bottle per year, a gift that has kept on giving! I think Port is relatively a lot more expensive now than it was 30 years ago though, would be quite an investment.
As for what to get your god sons - Vintage Port would be a good option. My dad got me a case of it when I was born and I knew nothing of it until my 21st. Getting through it at about a bottle per year, a gift that has kept on giving! I think Port is relatively a lot more expensive now than it was 30 years ago though, would be quite an investment.
Don said:
You could consider getting something like a Tawny Port. Keeps well(ish). Or a whisky.
Whisky doesn't age in the bottle though, so you'd need to buy it in the cask get it bottled in 18 years time. There are various clubs/syndicates that group buy casks so this could be an option.If you want 2017, wait until next year then speak to Berry Bros.
Personally I think a bottle of port (vintage released St. George's day the following year i.e.: 2018) a year as a birthday pressie, stored with them (£1 per bottle per year) until they're 18 is a mega present.
Alternatively they can hook you up with a half case of something that will be worth a lot more than you paid for it by the time they're 18-21 and they can put it towards a first car or deposit, or drink it.
Personally I think a bottle of port (vintage released St. George's day the following year i.e.: 2018) a year as a birthday pressie, stored with them (£1 per bottle per year) until they're 18 is a mega present.
Alternatively they can hook you up with a half case of something that will be worth a lot more than you paid for it by the time they're 18-21 and they can put it towards a first car or deposit, or drink it.
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