Wine Aging in the Sea: A New Frontier in Oenology
21 Feb 2025 - Underwater wines
Introduction to Wine Aging in the Sea
Wine aging in the sea is an innovative technique that involves submerging bottles underwater to complete the maturation process. Although relatively new in the modern wine scene, this method has roots in archaeological findings of Roman and Greek amphorae perfectly preserved on the seabed. This practice is gaining popularity among niche wineries that seek to enhance the organoleptic characteristics of wine through an alternative and evocative aging process.
The Mystery of Underwater Aging: Wine and the Power of the Sea
The sea has always been a keeper of secrets and extraordinary transformations. Today, it also plays a leading role in one of the most fascinating modern winemaking techniques: underwater aging. This method not only imparts unique characteristics to wines but transforms them into unparalleled sensory experiences.
A Journey into the Depths: The Underwater Aging Process
Underwater aging consists of submerging bottles of wine at depth, where they remain for months, protected by a stable and unaltered environment. The absence of light, constant temperature, and increasing pressure with depth are the key elements of this transformation. The wine is lowered into the sea inside special baskets and periodically monitored by expert divers, who check the conditions and track its evolution. The minimum aging period is six months, but the precise duration is not predetermined: the wine itself determines its ideal maturation time.
The Benefits of a Unique Aging Process
The sea does not add or take away from the wine but transforms it. The pressure exerted by water reduces oxidation and accelerates maturation processes, allowing the wine to evolve in surprisingly short periods. The waves and currents impart constant movement to the bottles, promoting a deeper harmonization of aromas. The result? A softer, more enveloping wine with an elegant structure, where every element naturally blends into perfect balance. That is why, at Siridia, we say that “one year of aging in the sea is equivalent to seven years in the cellar,” with the uniqueness of an evolution free from oxidative deviations.
The Sea and Wine Tradition: An Ancient Bond
While underwater aging appears to be an innovative technique, it actually has deep historical roots. There is historical evidence of wine amphorae preserved in the sea by ancient traders, and even today, bottles of Champagne recovered from shipwrecks show extraordinary preservation. This connection between the sea and wine has inspired us to experiment and refine the technique to enhance the character of our wines.
Underwater Aging According to Siridia
Cantina Siridia has been a pioneer in aging a pure Corvina wine in the sea for an entire year. While this technique might immediately bring to mind a white wine, we chose to take our signature Valpolicella grape into uncharted territory. The result exceeded all expectations: a complex, elegant, and refined wine, capable of telling a new story with every sip, evolving harmoniously in the glass.
Our journey did not stop there. In addition to the 70 bottles of Corvina, we also aged 50 bottles of our Metodo Classico sparkling wine, Astris, and 27 bottles of our limited-edition Aria, a still white wine designed for long aging periods.
Discover the Charm of the Sea in Your Glass
The sea changes wine, but how?
To answer this question, we have created a unique experience: an exclusive tasting box that allows you to compare the same wine aged using different methods. You can compare our sea-aged Corvina with its traditionally aged counterpart in the cellar, explore the nuances of Astris, our Metodo Classico, and be amazed by Aria.
An experience designed for those who, like us, love to embrace the unexpected, seek unique discoveries, and be surprised by new expressions of wine.
Are you ready to dive in?
To learn more about our Corvina aged in the sea, visit the products section on our website, where you can purchase it and have it conveniently delivered anywhere in Italy.