How long can I store it? When is the right time to enjoy it? Important questions. Two things to ask in advance. Firstly: you can store any wine for as long as you want. Secondly: there are no universally applicable guidelines regarding the peak of a wine. Nevertheless, there are key points to consider so that you don't pull a bottle out of the rack too early or too late.
To put it bluntly: the price. Yes, it can be misleading, but it is an expression of origin, style, vintage, producer fame, availability and rating. Basically, a low price does not mean long storage life (and by that I mean more than ten years). In addition to the price, the following are relevant:
The grape variety
The ideal ageing potential is when a variety has a high content of acid, tannins or sugar. This is the case with: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Marsanne, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Rousanne (Ermitage du Valais), Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Savagnin, Verdicchio, Viura or Viognier. For red wines, the following varieties look good for a long time: Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Pinot Noir, Sagrantino, Sangiovese or Syrah, to name just a few.
The origin
As with real estate, vines are often about location, location, location. The red wines in Italy that are best suited for storage come from Piedmont, Valtellina (Nebbiolo) or Tuscany (Sangiovese, Brunello). White wines last a long time if they come from Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Bianco), Collio (Friulano) or Piedmont (Chardonnay).
The design
There are (white) wines that are made to be enjoyed young. If they are fermented cold (temperature-controlled) in a steel tank, they can quickly become frosty in the bottle. If a wine has been aged in a wooden barrel (size and age play a role), the chances of longevity are higher. Aging in a wooden barrel means that tiny amounts of oxygen can penetrate the wine in the barrel (oxidation) and it can mature harmoniously.
Wooden barrels release tannins, which also have a preservative effect on the wine.
The storage area
It is of no use to wine if you store it in full sunlight or at temperatures that are too warm. A constant temperature (12°), humidity (75%) and darkness are ideal. Wines from the supermarket often seem stale.
So storage is an issue for you at home, but it is also part of the expertise of a good wine trading company.