Ageing potential: What it describes – and what it does not

The standard

Structurally grounded ageing potential derives its statement from the components that carry time: acidity, tannin, extract and the binding of alcohol. It names which of these carriers sets the limit.

Criteria

• The limiting component is named
• Acidity and tannin are assessed separately
• The closure is part of the statement, not its precondition
• The statement holds for named storage conditions

Distinction

Ageing potential ≠ drinking maturity: remaining keepable and being ready to drink are two different states. Ageing potential ≠ drinking window: one is a capacity, the other a prediction about its use. Structurally grounded ageing potential therefore says nothing about the moment of drinking maturity, only about its possible duration.