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FINE WINE FREQUENTLY-ASKED-QUESTIONS (FAQ)
We have compiled a list of questions about fine
wine that we are often asked. Click on each
category to browse the answers in that category.
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- Do you buy individual bottles of wine?
Yes. Please refer to the Selling Wine section of our website. We are especially keen to acquire fine and rare wines, such as Lafite Rothschild and Petrus.
- Once you've purchased my wines whats the best way to get them to you? Are they insured for transit?
We can arrange for a courier to collect the wines. Alternatively you may wish to arrange for the wines to be transported to our cellars or to our nearest warehouse in the relevant country. If we arrange for the transportation of the wines, our insurance will provide cover for any breakage or loss. However, if you wish to arrange for the transit of the wines independently, it is your responsibility to arrange for insurance. - You have offered me £1000 for my case of wine when your website shows that you are selling the same case for £2000. Why is there such a large difference?
We endeavour to provide best prices to both our vendors and our customers. Price can vary considerably depending upon volume, scale of the transaction and logistical matters. Whilst our website pricing is a guide, naturally we are open to negotiation in large volume transactions.
- How long will my wine be good to drink once it is opened?
Oxidation — which begins as soon as the cork is pulled—is the enemy of wine. Refrigeration will slow oxidation, but it doesn't stop it altogether. In the instance that there is leftover wine at your house, you can drink an opened bottle for about three days before you’ll start to notice it fading. Personal taste and frugality are big variables here. If you transfer the leftovers to a smaller bottle (where less surface area is exposed to oxygen), you might get some extra mileage out of it. - When should I use a decanter?
Decanting serves two purposes, firstly to remove the sediment in the case of older or unfiltered wines. Also younger wines can benefit from being oxygenated prior to drinking.
- How long in advance should I decant a bottle before drinking>
Older wine can become very fragile and will change rapidly during the decanting process. With old wine its often best to drink the wine immediately after being decanted. Young wines need time to beathe and soften.
Advise us by email of the name and vintage of the wine and we will make a recommendation.
- How long will my wine last once it's opened
Younger wines will last and improve for several hours in the decanter. With older wines there is a risk of deterioration.
- How do I get my cellared wines to serving temperature quickly?
The ideal serving temperature of red wine varies. Bordeaux, Shiraz and Rhone wines can be served up to 18 degrees C. However, Rioja and pinot noir should be served at 16 degrees C. Do not use extreme heat to raise the temperature of the wine but leave the bottles at room temperature for a few hours. It is best to serve a wine too cool and to let it warm in the glass, rather than spoil a wine by letting it heat up too much.
- Are old wines still drinkable or just for people to collect or invest in?
As to whether 100/200 year old wines remain drinkable, this is a good question. It really depends upon what the wine is, which vintage it was from, and how it has been kept over the many years passed by.
Generally the longest lasting of all wines, are the sweet white wines of Bordeaux (Sauternes), German late harvested sweet white wines (trockenbeerenauslese and eiswein) and fortified wines like vintage port.
These can still be great even after a century. The oldest wine I have personally tasted so far is Chateau d’Yquem 1865. I remember enjoying this with a client in the USA in 2006. The wine was still a delicious bright golden colour, fresh with plenty of acidity giving the wine life to balance the deep raisin type fruit. Red wines can also age surprisingly well. At our Cap Ferrat Three Centuries of Lafite event, the oldest wine we opened and served blind was the Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1887. We opened three bottles, one was sadly cloudy, madeirised and dull, the second was very enjoyable, with good clarity, a fruity but mature aroma, and then still sweet fruit, just drying out on the finish, and the third bottle was simply magic, it had a deep mahogany colour, classic pencil box cedar aroma’s and the depth of fruit on the palate left a delightful sweet finish that went on for several minutes. Amazingly one of our clients who happened to be the wine adviser to an Asian based airline, correctly guessed the vintage!
It’s this uncertainty and mystique that makes the enjoyment of old wine a most nostalgic, fascinating and exciting experience. I’ts a real privilege for me to be able to share these moments, and all in a day’s work!
- At what temperature should I serve Chateau d'Yquem?
The ideal temperature for serving Chateau d’Yquem is approximately 12 degrees centigrade, as this allows for the wine to develop its full array of aromas. If the wine is served too cold the wine will not show its full aromatic potential and if served too warm, the wine may taste excessively sweet. - When should a Premier Grands Crus Classes Bordeaux be consumed?
The greatest Bordeaux wines usually take a good deal of time to reach their peak and it can take between 10 and 20 years for the tannins to mature, the various components to integrate properly and for the wine to become balanced and approachable. If the greatest Bordeaux is stored correctly, it can develop and improve over several decades, or even centuries. Most Premier Grands Crus Classes wines can be kept for 20 to 40 years without any problems, however there is huge scope for vintage variation and the longevity of wine from the same Chateau can differ immensely from year to year. If you would like for us to advise, please email us the name and vintage of the wine and we will make a suitable recommendation.
- Do I need to rotate bottles in my cellar periodically?
You don't need to rotate your bottles, and actually, it is not recommended at all. When the bottles lay still, the sediment collects on one side and the bottles aren't cloudy and chewy with it. Furthermore, there's some concern that vibration or other disturbance of older wines can lead to premature aging. Even if you think this is not true, you can be certain that vibration (or rotation) will not help your wine. So you can let sleeping bottles lie. - How should I store my wine?
Do your best to keep the wines away from light, heat, vibration and—most importantly—temperature fluctuation. For most people, this could mean a corner of a closet. Keep the bottles lying on their side so the cork stays moist and doesn't dry out.
If you have a cooling unit, cellar temperature should be maintained at 55°F (13°C), with 70 percent humidity. Humidity is good because it's another way to protect from drying, brittle corks that might cause premature aging. - What is the anticipated maturity of my wine?
The greatest vintages produce wines that reach ideal enjoyment at between 10 and 20 years of age. In general white wines mature at a faster rate than red wines but there are notable exceptions, such as fine dessert wines which can develop and improve over decades. Personal taste will also influence when a wine is ready to drink.
Please advise us by email of the name and vintage of the wine and we will make a recommendation. - Some of my bottles are not as full as the others. How important is the fill level?
The level of wine in the bottle is a good indication as to how the wine has been stored. If a wine has been stored upright or at the incorrect temperature, ullage (loss of wine) can occur. The fill level is important as low levels can lead to spoilage of the wine due to oxidation. However, it is possible to top up and re-cork bottles and we will be happy to advise you about this process
- Why does fine wine go up in value?
Fine wine matures once bottled, and improves with age. A limited amount is produced every year so, when bottles are consumed, the supply of the wine becomes rarer and therefore the price increases, provided there is still a demand for the wine. While supply dwindles, demand for mature wines can make early purchases an especially good investment. Moreover, demand and interest in fine wine is growing around the world and supply of the top wines cannot be increased. - Do you sell individual bottles of wine?
Yes. We sell some wines by the bottle but the majority are sold by the case only. Please refer to our wine list, which will provide details as to the unit of sale. - When will my en primeur wine be made available?
Normally between 1-2 years from harvest but it depends upon the vintage and for how long the chateau matures the wine following vinification. We will provide you with an estimation as to the release date upon your purchase of the wine and will update you if there are any alterations to this date. - Can I come and have a look in your shop?
We do not have a retail outlet but we are happy to show you around our warehouse - Do you sell spirits?
Yes. We sell a selection of Cognac and Armagnac. Please refer to our wine list. - Will the value of my wine increase with time?
Over time, it is likely that the value of your wine will increase. There are certain factors that will affect the investment potential of your wine, such as vintage, availability of the wine, provenance of the wine and how the wine has been stored. - What are the advantages of wine over other investments?
Wine is a tangible asset and can often provide greater returns than traditional investments. Wine’s value invariably increases over time, not only as it reaches maturity but also as the wine becomes more scarce, due to investors consuming their wines. Please refer to the Investing in Wine section of our website for a more detailed analysis. - What are the best wines for investment? What do you currently recommend?
Younger wines from outstanding vintages often provide the best opportunities for investment. For more specific advice please send us an enquiry. - Can I open an account with AWC?
Yes. Our terms are similar to those of most fine wine traders and auction houses in that we require payment before shipment. For a full list of our terms and conditions, please click here.
- When will Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2006 be best for drinking? Anything special you can tell me about this wine?
The 2006 Lafite Rothschild is a great wine made from a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. In many ways it is similar to the 1988, but it is dramatically superior to that vintage. According to Robert Parker (who gave the wine a score of 97 points) it may turn out to be as good as the 2005, which in all of Bordeaux is a far greater vintage than 2006.
Chateau Lafite’s severe selection process (42% made it into the grand vin) resulted in a full-bodied wine boasting an extraordinary perfume of charcoal, truffles, lead pencil shavings, and sensationally sweet, ripe black currant and cedar notes. A wine of extraordinary intensity, texture, and depth with silky tannins as well as great concentration, this has turned out to be a remarkable Lafite Rothschild that should be drinkable much earlier than the 2005, but age for three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2035+.
- Can I get same day delivery?
We can provide same day delivery to central London for the standard delivery charge of £12.00. Same day deliveries can be arranged to other London addresses, however an additional courier fee will be charged. - How long does delivery take to mainland Europe?
Normally between two to three days. Overnight delivery can be arranged, however an additional courier fee will be charged. - How is your wine transported?
We transport wine by courier. The wine has to be signed for upon delivery so please arrange for someone to be available to sign for the wine at the delivery address. For especially valuable bottles we will use a personal courier. - Can you transfer wines to my in bond account?
Yes, we can arrange for inter bond transfers, if you provide us with your account details and the address of your bonded warehouse. - Can I collect my wines from you?
Yes. We are happy to keep the wine at our cellar for you. Please call ahead to let us know when you would like to come and collect your wine. - Can you ship to China?
Yes. We have arrangements in place with importers and agents, enabling seamless delivery from the UK to most countries including China. - I'm exporting the wine out of the EU myself. Do I have to pay VAT?
Individual clients: VAT is initially payable. However, upon purchase we will provide you with a VAT re-claim form which needs to be stamped by Customs & Excise at the point of departure. Once the confirmation of departure has been received by us, we will then arrange for the VAT rebate to be processed and will provide you with the funds. - Are the prices that you quote In Bond or Duty Paid?
The prices are exclusive of duty and VAT. We will clarify the VAT and duty inclusive price when we provide you with a quotation.
There are no questions in this category yet.
If you would like to put one to our experts please use the form below.
- Chateau Petrus is considered to be one of the greatest of all red wines. What is the ideal food to accompany it?
In general, dark meat and venison can be paired very well with Petrus yet it depends a lot on the vintage of the wine what spices would go well or how it should be prepared. In vintages such as 1989 or 1990, in which Petrus achieved high levels of ripeness and concentration, heavier dishes can be served even with sweetish, highly concentrated sauces while lighter vintages such as 1985 will require more elegant dishes in order to not overpower the wine.
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