Wine that would still be decent after 5 years room temp?

I am about to get married, and we are wanting to do a wine box ceremony (where we will put a bottle of wine and letters we have written to each other that have not been read in a box to be opened on our 5th anniversary).

However, I was not aware that wine needed to be stored at a certain humidity and temperature! (We always finish our wine way before having to worry about that! )

I have not been able to find an answer to this online since most everyone simply talks about how to store wine for optimal aging. We just want to know if it's possible for a wine to still be decent/drinkable after 5 years at room temperature. It would be in a dark box in a fairly cool house, and we would take care not to expose it to extreme heat (for instance when moving). Is this possible? Preferably, less than around $40. Thank you!

(Sorry if this is a bit blasphemous to you all! )

[Robin Garr]

Kerri, that's not blasphemous at all! I think that most "sturdy" red wines will fare well after five years in a cool place on their side; wine collectors will tell you that a "proper" wine cellar is best, but many of us have successfully kept wines that long in modern, air-conditioned homes.

Good quality Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah should do it; ditto for a good Chianti Classico or Chianti Classico Riserva, and probably good quality Pinot Noir. While I might not risk it with mass-produced labels in the under-$10 range, certainly in the budget level you're talking about, you should have no problem.

It depends on your room. I'd agree with Robin if you're pretty sure temps would stay below say 75 degrees F.

If not, the only thing I'd feel comfortable suggesting is something like Madeira, if that is something you'd enjoy. Next best would be a fortified sweet wine such as Port, or maybe one of the Australian stickies. I wouldn't suggest it for dry table wine

At room temperature & assuming that doesn't mean room temperature up in the 90s, or in the high 70s or 80s for a week at a time...

I'd be looking at a wine that might be special from you both, something you'd look forward to opening.

The problem with wines suited for cellaring, is that they'll often still be in barrel for a year or two, so either go for a vintage relating to another significant year in your relationship, or perhaps even a fresh release NV champagne (e.g. Roederer) which can often really benefit from a handful of years ageing. Or if you can, put the bottle in the box in a year or two, so you get a wine specifically from the same vintage as your wedding.

Thank you all so much! I guess we have more options than we realized. We will probably go with a nice Pinot Noir or Madiera.

There are a lot of good Bordeaux ('09 and '10 vintages, plan on spending $25++) that will age nicely. You might want to get two, one to open in 5 years and one to open in 10. Yes they will have no problem with that. I would put the wine in a cool dark place, like a down-stairs closet (on it's side), just don't forget about it. Depending on where you live we all could make some recommendations that would be within your budget. Best of luck!

An alternate suggestion:
Write your letters, buy 2 nice wine glasses and inscribe messages on ribbon that you tie around each stem. Getting married in 2012? No 2012 wines out this year (except nouveau wines in Sept, and maybe a few S. Hemisphere wines) , but on your second or third anniversary lots of choices. Buy the wine then.

If you're thinking about a Madeira, a Malmsey won't die in 5 years, or even much longer before you open it. A vintage Porto is much the same.
I just opened tonight a 2003 vintage Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that was perfectly drinkable, and I paid less than $15 for it. I do confess that it lived mostly at temperatures in the low 60s, rather than room temperature.
But Cabernet Sauvignon (or any "Bordeaux blend" or meritage) in the price range you're looking at, should be fine, tucked away in the closet for 5 years.

Actually, go shopping together and get something that mutually tickles your fancy. If, in 5 years, you decide you guessed wrong, you can pass it off (mutually) as "youthful impetuousness" and have a good laugh. If it's good, you can doubly enjoy the occasion!

John

As has been said, most age worth reds will be fine for five years at room temp. I did not have a cellar in my first three apartments or my first home. All wines had to sit at room temp and I never had a major issue. A few of those I still hold ('91 Étude, '88 Gruad Larose) and they are holding up well. Do find a cooler spot in the house away from direct sunlight. I started with a small rack tucked in the back of a closet.

Don't do what we did! We bought a case of Liebfraumilch from the year we were married (1973). If I remember correctly by the second year the wine was gone. Our marriage is still here but those 11 bottles are history. Buy age worthy reds. Your wine retailer will know what you are looking for. If you are presented with a selection, feel free to call on us for some help in refining the options. Good Luck!

We are in Oklahoma if that helps with suggestions.
I haven't had any of the port wines, it's a sweeter one isn't it? I'm thinking that might be a good choice for us since I don't seem to have acquired a taste for very strong red wines yet. I love most whites, and I love dessert wines. Fiancé likes red, and everyone seems to be suggesting reds, but we don't really know what we like (and don't have time to find out )
What would be a safe suggestion that we would most likely love?
Thank you all for being so helpful!

Kerri
Dessert wines are indeed a very good idea - the best will keep for decades (in some cases many decades).
You'll need something with reasonably good acidity in it, to carry it forward, but for just 5 years it doesn't have to be the finest wine going. A riesling at Spatlese or even Auslese level from a decent German producer might well fit the bill and needn't cost above $25-30. At this price level, you could even drink a bottle together now, and if you like it, buy another bottle to put away. If you do like this style of wine, there are a few keen enthusiasts here (including David Bueker) who I'm sure could give comments on any wines you might have locally.
regards
Ian

To add to Ian's excellent suggestion, you and your friend could each pick a bottle or two. Any of the wines discussed here would be good, as would a Ridge Zinfandel from California, or a Pinot Noir from Oregon. If you can find a wine shop other than the supermarket, you'll be able to get some more specific help.

John