Does Pinot Grigio Age Like The Other Fine Wines You Love?

When it comes to white wine, they are what sommeliers like to say, “Need to be drunk young,” or in other words, the white wines are not, sit in your cellar wines. 

They are to be stored until 2-3 years max of their vintage date, but more than often, when purchasing a Pinot Grigio, you will want to consume it within 2 – 3 days of purchase. 

Therefore, in short, no, Pinot Grigio is not made for aging. The aging process would have the liquid stored for 6 – 8 months in a cask, then transferred to the bottle and ‘aged’ for another two months. 

How well does Pinot Grigio Age?

Not well, sommeliers commonly say that white wines should be drunk within 2 – 3 years of the vintage date. If adequately held at the right temperature, with minimal exposure to the elements, this wine ages very nicely. 

Does Pinot Grigio age in the bottle?

Yes, after the wine’s time in the cask is done, there is traditionally 1-2 months of additional aging in the bottle. Most experts say to finish the bottle, after opening, by the fifth to the seventh day. So be sure to keep this in mind when opening a bottle. 

What’s the best way to age Pinot Grigio?

Proper storing Pinot Grigio in a temperature-controlled environment, with minimal temperature fluctuations, and kept in a controlled climate, preferably under 70 degrees Fahrenheit will give the wine the best chance for longevity. 

How long should you age Pinot Grigio?

To sum up the timeline, we start with the cask aging, which lasts about six months typically for Pinot Grigio. Then, an additional two months in the bottle allow a vineyard time to alter the flavor pallet in some cases. All in all, Pinot Grigio’s life expectancy is about 2 – 3 years. 

Most white wines, Pinot Grigio, included, do not get any better tasting with age. You can tell the wine has gone wrong when the liquid has darkened a shade, indicating the bottle has properly over-aged or oxidized. 

Is a 5, 10, or even 20 years old Pinot Grigio still good?

No. By rule, the best drinking age for white wine is 2 – 3 years. Three to five years most can be used for cooking, and only the finest of wines (unopened and properly stored) will last to the 10 – 20-year mark. 

Red wines live by separate rules, but Pinot Grigio should be drunk within 2 – 3 years of the vintage date. Also, after opening, remember to finish the bottle in 5 – 7 days unless you intend to keep it for cooking. 

Final Thoughts on Pinot Grigio’s Aging

Like its white wine counterparts, Pinot Grigio is to be drunk young. Within three years of the vintage date. 

White wines become cooking wine after three years and do not recommend drinking. 

Only the finest wines, with the prime conditions for storage, will last 10-20 years. Most white wines will not make this mark. 

Remember to finish the wine within seven days to prevent spoiling when opening the bottle.