Lay down wine for children?

Lillibet_2

My first baby is due any time now & we woudl like to start laying down a bottle or 2 (not a case) of wine each year for him. Initally we thought Champange but research suggests to me that this does not store well for more than 5 years (Bang goes those 3 12 year old bottles in my wine rack:rolleyes:). I don't really want to pay storage fees but as we don't have a cool celler or anywhere else really suitable we would consider if the charges were reasonable.
Has any one done this & does anyone have any advice on what wine to chose or can anyone recommend any sites which may be able to advise a wine-virgin?

Many thanks

carpool72

Try Oddbins - they're staff are pretty well-trained on wine knowledge, though they may not be able to store things (some shops do though - it's up to the manager). Not sure about sites, but try googling Malcom Gluck or Oz Clarke - they do good books on what's worth buying each year (every vintage being different) and I'm sure they have recommendations for laying down as well as glugging. Also, you can buy such a thing as a portable cellar to store wine at home - not sure on expense though...

Hope it all goes well & you're not waiting too much longer!

Mr_Warren_2

I had the same idea many years ago. Bought a couple 1987 and 1990 bottles of Bordeaux, wrapped in newspaper and put to rest at the bottom of my wardrobe. Forgot about them all that time and I will offer them to my daughters when they reach 20. Even if the wine ends up like pee, it is still a nice idea and the kids should be happy.

You need to buy "vins de garde" which means wine to keep. For the reds go with a wine which has lot of "tanin" a natural chemical that keeps the wine on the shelf. For whites, go for a very sweet wine such as "Sauterne".

I was recently served a 3 year old "Soave" (white Italian) and it really tasted old pee.

If you do not know what to get, speak to a wine specialist (as mentioned above) or ring the shop, explain your challenge and listen to their recommendations. :beer:

Kylecraiggan

I heard that port was supposed to be good if it was aged about 21. I bought some bottles for my son when his birth year vintage was available in the shops, now all I have to do is wait until he's 21 and we'll find out if what I read was true. Good luck with the new baby, enjoy every minute, they grow up too quickly!

rsbystry

When I asked a winey friend of mine about this idea a few years ago when my first daughter was born unto the world, he recommended putting down a cask of Port. Basically you buy a new cask, and after a few years you can take a few bottles and the cask is topped up. This can go on for many years as you can imagine. At the time the setup costs were beyond my means. But it was apparently the safest way of getting something drinkable by the time the my daughter was legally old enough to drink it.

jobbingmusician

I bought a bottle of port in Harrods' sale many years ago and had it delivered to my friend who had recently given birth........Not only did it make her day to have a Harrods' flunky arrive at the door and salute her, the port was apparently delicious 18 years later (it JUST survived, although the parents were tempted MANY times to drink it! )