Wines to be drunk within 3 years – Balance and expressiveness

What wines should I drink within the next 2 to 3 years?

Wines meant to be enjoyed within 2 to 3 years offer an excellent compromise between youth and the beginning of their development. These wines have the potential to improve slightly in the bottle while remaining approachable, fruity, and balanced. At Les Vins de Carole, we have selected red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines perfect for enjoying during this short aging period.

Red wines: supple, fruity and balanced

Red wines with aging potential of 2 to 3 years are often vinified with gentle extraction, allowing them to evolve slightly in the bottle while retaining their fruitiness. Ideally, they gain complexity without losing their lusciousness. Among them:

• A Côtes-du-Rhône or a Ventoux with mellow tannins
• A Saumur-Champigny or a Bourgueil made from Cabernet Franc
• A generic or regional Pinot Noir from Burgundy
• A Languedoc wine (Terrasses du Larzac, Pic Saint-Loup) with spicy and ripe notes

These reds pair perfectly with everyday dishes: grilled meats, white meats in sauce, light stews, mature cheeses…

White wines: aromatic finesse and good structure

White wines meant to be drunk within 2 to 3 years are often vinified with a beautiful balance between vivacity and roundness. Their evolution brings additional floral and fruity complexity, sometimes with light notes of almond or honey. Recommended:

• A Chardonnay from Mâcon or Limoux
• A dry Chenin from the Loire (Montlouis, dry Vouvray)
• An Alsatian Riesling with depth
• A Sauvignon from Touraine or the Southwest

Perfect with roasted fish, white meats, quiches, or vegetarian dishes.

Rosé and sparkling wines: exceptions to watch out for

Some gastronomic rosés (Tavel, Bandol) can develop beautifully over 2 to 3 years thanks to their structure and aging. As for sparkling wines, some Crémants de Bourgogne or non-vintage Champagnes gain complexity after a few years in the cellar.

Storage and serving instructions

Store these wines away from light and temperature fluctuations. Serve reds between 14 and 16°C, whites between 10 and 12°C, rosés at 10°C, and sparkling wines between 6 and 8°C. Feel free to open reds an hour in advance or decant them lightly.

Our "2 to 3 years" selection: fun, balance and accessibility

The "2 to 3 years" collection from Les Vins de Carole features wines that are either perfectly mature or require a little more aging. Ideal for building a wine cellar for enjoyment without waiting a decade. Each bottle is selected for its quality, its typicity, and its ability to shine between its first and third year.