This blog is dedicated to my friend Sara celebrating her birthday today. Without revealing her age, something tells me we may be sharing a Napa Hillside Cabernet this weekend.
Last May I hosted the Fabulous Girls Wine Society with a birthday party theme, as a few of us were celebrating milestone birthdays that year, including me. I called it “Wine through the Ages.” I was inspired by a really cool story I found on Wine Folly called the Ultimate Happy Birthday Wine List. It was all about wines that pair well with every age by decade. Now that I have a blog, this is too awesome not to share. Below are excerpts from the Wine Folly story woven with My Wine Playlist commentary, based on experience 🙂
Here we go; Life in your 20’s “Decadent Youth”
Wine Folly: No matter how you justify it, you’re going to do a lot of invigorating and stupid things in your 20’s. Why not sprinkle in some of the most memorable wine moments of your life in there too? You might start collecting wine but don’t be surprised when your tastes change. Attempt to cellar your birth year Port wine but don’t fret if you end up drinking it with a midnight quesadilla. At age 21 you’re in luck if you even drink wine (vs a blurry night of lemon drop martinis), so even the most modest bottle of wine is a treat. No matter what you drink, it’s a statement. Go for something debonnaire and red, like Mollydooker “The Boxer”
My Wine Playlist: I personally think that people in their 20s today are drinking more wine. I recently read an article that younger consumers prefer wine and spirits to beer. Beer penetration has lost 10% of market share to wine and hard liquor from 2006 to 2017. Those who read my blog know that my daughter(s) have been exposed to the appreciation of wine since age 13 (insert wink) so I think that there are many 21 year olds who have an appreciation, but might not have the $ to support it. The Mollydooker “The Boxer” suggested by Wine Folly for 20something year olds is one of my favourite go-to wines (at any age!) …
I am going to throw in a few more recommendations, on behalf of My Wine Playlist, for those aspiring 21 year old wine connoisseurs (like my daughter) that appeals both to the palate and the pocket book – Timbuktu, Stickleback Red, and Le Poussin Rose
Wine Folly: Whether you’re building a family or actually building an empire (you lil’ entrepreneur you!), your 30’s are a time of industrial growth. While you sharpen your focus on life and work, ‘the pursuit’ wine becomes your ‘secret stash.’ Settling down during this time is pretty common, so buying wine for the future is often part of the plan. Take some advice from Wine Folly about starting a wine collection. When you turn 30, get a red wine that’s about 10 years younger than you. Perhaps a Reserva Rioja, a Napa Hillside Cabernet or a ‘left-bank Bordeaux. Drinking becomes ancillary or a way to punctuate and escape your daily life. Exploring new varieties becomes part of the fun.
My Wine Playlist: I was curious to try this elusive Napa Hillside Cabernet and picked up a bottle of the Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietor’s Blend from Napa Hillside. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc (in France this would be a Bordeaux). The tasting notes were bang on with vibrant aromas of red fruit, rum raisin, cola, vanilla and cedar. On the palate flavours of berries, spiced chocolate and toasted oak, and a lingering finish. It’s just over $50 a bottle and definitely worth it for a Happy 30ish Birthday, or for any special occasion.
Life in your 40’s “Do or Die!”
Wine Folly: At forty, you know who you are and what you do best. Perhaps you’ve been doing well for yourself over the last 10 years or you’ve been cleverly avoiding it. Because so many changes take place in your physical body during your 40’s, this is the time to take the biggest steps to be where you want to be. It’s ‘do or die’ baby. Also, be sure to pick up about 6 bottles of decent vintage Port and plan to sit on them for a while. It’s also time to whip out a Vintage Champagne and hold a few bottles for when you turn 50.
My Wine Playlist: I highly recommend the Veuve Clicquot. I have so much admiration for Madame Clicquot and her story is inspiring in itself, and coming very soon on My Wine Playlist. In the meantime, a fun fact is that in July 2008 an unopened bottle of Veuve Clicquot was discovered in a sideboard in Torosay Castle in Scotland. The 1893 bottle was in mint condition, having been kept in the dark, and was the oldest bottle known to exist. It is now on display at the Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin visitor centre in Reims and is regarded as priceless.
The article on Wine Folly also suggested that “at age 49, say adieu to your 40’s by bringing it back down to earth. Make White Port Tonic cocktails, stock your bar for French 75’s and have a few bottles of dry Provencal Rose. So I did just that, at age 49 I discovered French 75’s – a champagne cocktail made famous during WW1 in Paris at an American Bar. It was named after a modern machine gun from the era because it packs a punch with just one drink. It’s a perfect summer spritzy cocktail and I have the recipe for you right here:
How to Make a French 75
1.5 ounces gin
.5 ounces lemon juice
.25 ounces simple syrup (make this with equal parts hot water and sugar, it lasts a week in the fridge)
1 ounce of Champagne
Combine gin, syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into an iced champagne glass. Top up with Champagne. Stir gently.
Now we are 50, well some of us are 😉 Life in your 50’s “Mastering Reality!
Wine Folly: At fifty, you’ve done quite a bit with your life. It feels great to stand back and say, “Yep, that’s me.” Retirement is around the corner, but you’re not there yet. This is when you no longer feel the same kind of pressure to grind on the gerbil wheel (like you did 2 decades ago). You can relax and start thinking about the next 2 decades. Drink more low-alcohol red wine like Tannat. Wines like Tannat are starting to hit the US market like a storm. Why? Well, Tannat is the wine the longest-lived people in the world drink.
My Wine Playlist: Ok, I am going to live forever. I really enjoyed this Tannat – the Garzon Tannat is the signature wine of Uruguay. Tannat to Uruguay is as Shiraz is to Australia or Malbec to Argentina. Priced around $29, you have to try it. Derived from the word Tannin of which the Tannat grape has the highest levels of any grape in the world. It is super juicy as you sip, but finishes amazingly dry and is off the charts in levels of phenolic compounds (polyphenols, procyanidins, flavonoids and reservatol), which are things in wine that are good for you. Yes, this wine is not only delicious but good for your health!
Life in your 60’s “Celebration and Rediscovery”
Wine Folly: At sixty, something amazing happens: you finally get to do something new! By this time, you’ve accrued a sizable nest-egg and suddenly have boundless time on your hands. Some people watch the days pass by, but most will find there’s so much to do. Every day is more interesting than the one before. Why’d it take so long to have a real renaissance? At age 60 There’s nothing quite like a well-aged Barolo or Brunello di Montalcino to start this decade off right. Old Italian wines are noted for their greatness as they age (and not in their youth).
My Wine Playlist: Try this one!! It’s My Wine Playlist approved and worth the splurge!
Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany) is one Italy’s most famous and prestigious wines. The word Brunello translates roughly as ‘little dark one’, and is the local vernacular name for Sangiovese Grosso, the large-berried form of Sangiovese which grows in the area.
Life in your 70’s “Great Wisdom and Acceptance”
Wine Folly: At seventy, you have an amazing perspective on life. After all, you’ve lived it. Activities into your seventies are more social, so naturally wine fits in pretty nicely. Your palate, on the other hand, might be a little shot so perhaps focus on wines with serious presence. Vintage Port is one of just a few wines that can age as long as you! Port, Sherry and Madeira are great daily drinks into your seventies. Also drink more Australian Shiraz, Argentine Malbec and American Syrah.
My Wine Playlist: All of the above … #MyWinePlaylistApproved. One of my personal favourite Australian Shiraz wines is Pirramimma Shiraz – Mclaren Vale
Life in your 80’s “Living Legends”
Wine Folly: At eighty, everything you do is kind of a big deal: family gatherings take on more meaning, events are important, hell, even walking is kind of a big deal. Get someone to help you open that bottle of Burgundy, happy birthday old chap! Drinking in your eighties doesn’t need to be that exact, just remember: white when it’s hot and red when it’s cold out.
My Wine Playlist: Burgundy is not yet on my wine playlist, but by 80 you never know!
Life in your 90’s “Can’t See. Can’t Taste. Who Cares?”
Wine Folly: At ninety we recommend you drink whatever wine you can get your hands on. Who could deny a 90 year old that $1000 bottle of Premier Cru Bordeaux? Go for it ma.
My Wine Playlist: Already on the bucket list for 90!
Pairing the right wine for your birthday means knowing who you are at every age. Life, like Wine, gets better with time.
My Wine Playlist 