Wine 1996

Explore our selection of wine from 1996

Delving into our 1996 wine category feels like taking a trip back in time. Wines from this year have now had several decades to mature, often resulting in a depth and release of nuances that younger wines have not yet achieved. When you choose a bottle from here, you get a wine that has lived its own life and acquired a characteristic patina, each of which tells its own story.

Many wine enthusiasts value this particular vintage for its ability to maintain structure and balance through long aging, a trait it shares with wine from 1986. The range is extensive and each bottle is checked to ensure it meets our vintage wine standards. It is an obvious opportunity to taste the past and experience how the grapes from the mid-nineties have transformed into elegant drops.

A special vintage with character

The 1996 vintage is known in many wine regions for having produced wines with great aging potential. The weather conditions this year were generally favorable, giving the grapes a high acidity and a solid structure. These elements are essential for a wine to develop positively over many years without losing its original freshness and vitality.

Although flavor profiles vary depending on where in the world the wine is produced, the common denominator is often an impressive shelf life. A 1996 wine has often reached a stage where the tertiary aromas such as leather, forest floor and dried fruit emerge, while the wine retains its backbone. This makes them particularly interesting for those who want to explore the complexity of mature wines.

The perfect gift idea

A bottle of wine from 1996 is an ideal gift to mark big events such as anniversaries, wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays. Giving a gift that dates from the same year as a significant event adds a personal and symbolic value that is rarely achieved with other gifts. It is a gesture that shows care and attention to detail.

The recipient doesn't just get a bottle of wine, but an experience and a story that can be shared at the dinner table. Regardless of whether the wine is enjoyed immediately or saved for a later occasion, it will stand as a memory of the year it represents. Our selection makes it easy to find the right bottle to please anyone with an interest in fine wine and history, and also includes a selection of wine from 2006 for those who prefer slightly newer vintages.

Storage and serving

To get the best experience with an older wine, it is important to handle it with care before and during serving. Here are some practical tips on how to get the most out of your bottle:

• Leave the bottle upright for at least 24 hours before opening so that any sediment can settle to the bottom.
• Ensure a stable temperature when serving, as old wines often taste best at slightly cool temperatures.
• Use a high-quality corkscrew or so-called "ah-so" tightener, as old corks can be fragile.
• Assess whether the wine should be decanted carefully to remove sediment, but beware of too much oxygenation.
• Serve the wine in spacious glasses that give the aromas room to unfold.