When it comes to wine, what exactly is a "sleeper"?
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
I used to think I knew what "sleeper" meant, but looking at all the publications labeling everything from good to really crappy wines a "sleeper" I'm beginning to have my doubts. What exactly is a "sleeper"? Something that tastes better after you age it? Something that can sneak up later as a highly rated wine after it comes out of the barrel?
—Jeffrey G., New York
Dear Jeffrey,
A "sleeper" wine is a pleasant surprise, a wine that shows better than expected. It can come from an underappreciated region, variety, vintage or producer, or it could have been unnoticed by critics. In some cases, it could refer to a wine that has aged better than expected.
—Dr. Vinny
