In today’s fast-paced world, there is a tendency to value the new and shiny over the tried and true. However, some things do get better with age. Quality craftsmanship, fine wines, friendship – these are all examples of things that improve as time goes on. In this article, we will explore some of the many things that age gracefully and get better as the years pass.
Wine and spirits
Wine is the classic example of something that improves with age. The aging process allows complex chemical changes to occur in wine that can soften tannins and allow flavors to marry and mellow. An older wine will often have more secondary and tertiary aromas that give it a deeper, richer bouquet. The same goes for spirits like whiskey, brandy, and cognac, which take on characteristic flavors from being aged in wooden barrels over many years. Time enhances complexity, balance, and drinkability.
| Wine Variety | Peak Drinkability |
|---|---|
| Young white wines | 1-3 years |
| Mature white wines | 4-8 years |
| Young red wines | 2-6 years |
| Mature red wines | 8-20 years |
| Vintage port | 20-50+ years |
As shown in the table above, different types of wine reach their peak at different ages. Fine wine continues evolving in the bottle over decades. Patience is rewarded when a well-aged bottle is finally opened and enjoyed.
Cheese
Like wine, cheese gets better and more flavorful with age. Time allows complex biochemical changes to occur as cheese ages, resulting in intensified and more nuanced flavors. For example, young cheddar will be milky and mild while an aged, extra-sharp cheddar will pack a serious flavor punch. High quality parmesan and gruyère get tangier and develop crystalline textures over years of aging. The slower a cheese ages, the more complex it generally becomes. Affineurs (cheese agers) know exactly how to treat each cheese to coax the very best out of it over time.
Musical instruments
Many acoustic musical instruments improve with play and age. As a wooden stringed instrument like a violin or acoustic guitar is used, the wood cures and the tone becomes richer and more resonant. The sound improves as the wood ages. Violins made by master craftsmen like Stradivari are treasured for their burnished tone which develops over many decades. Many musicians prefer vintage instruments for their superior aged tone.
Cast iron cookware
A well-loved cast iron skillet can become a family heirloom because it just keeps getting better. Cast iron needs to go through a process called seasoning where fat is repeatedly cooked into the metal. A brand new cast iron pan will look and cook differently than a pan that’s been properly seasoned over years or even decades of cooking. The seasoning makes the metal nearly non-stick, provides a naturally easy-release cooking surface, and prevents rusting. Unlike many materials, cast iron improves with frequent, long-term use.
Leather
Full grain leather develops a patina over time that gives it more character and makes it look and feel better. A high-quality leather bag or piece of furniture will last for years with proper care. As good leather ages, it softens, gains a subtle gloss, and molds to its user. Vintage leather with natural markings and texture is prized for its one-of-a-kind look that comes from being well-used for many years. Leather boots and jackets look and fit better as you break them in. Like a baseball glove, they conform to the owner’s shape over time.
Whiskey
Whiskey connoisseurs know that the longer whiskey matures in barrels, the smoother and more complex the flavor becomes. Time mellows out the harsh alcoholic edge, and the whiskey starts to adopt increasingly rich characteristics from the wood it rests in. A decades-old whiskey will be infused with vanilla, caramel, toffee, and spice notes while a young whiskey will taste quite raw by comparison. For instance, an 18 year old single malt scotch will provide an intensely layered tasting experience that only time can provide.
Antique furniture
An antique furniture piece with a well-worn patina and signs of use can be more visually appealing and valuable than a pristine new piece. Natural aging gives antique wood furniture dents, scrapes, and markings that add to the charm and make each piece completely unique. The wood of an antique takes on a warm, mellow glow over time that new staining aimed at faking an aged look simply can’t replicate. Finely crafted antique furniture only becomes more beautiful as its use and age start to show through the accumulated patina.
Flags
Flags are made of durable materials meant to withstand the elements to relay information and messages. The symbol of a nation are carry strong ideals shared by citizens and impose patriotic character with emotion. As flags age and wear, they tatter and fray as textures and colors fade in the sun and wind and rain. The worn fabric shows the passage of time as it captures the events and memories shared under its cloth. There is pride and glory in displaying an aged flag which holds stories of what it has endured.
| Flag Material | Durability and Longevity |
|---|---|
| Nylon | Long lasting, dries quickly, resistant to sun damage |
| Cotton | Natural fabric, prone to fading and deterioration |
| Polyester | Colorfast, strong fabric withstands weathering |
The table shows commonly used materials for flag making. Nylon and polyester make durable flags that can last for decades before signs of aging occur. Natural fabrics like cotton degrade faster but some prefer the nostalgic look of a worn cotton flag.
Guitars
Like other stringed instruments, guitars tend to improve tonally with age as the wood cures and the structure settles into place. Many guitarists seek out vintage guitars built decades ago by famous luthiers for their resonant aged tone and high-quality craftsmanship. The hands-on wear and tear of musicians playing their instruments for years also adds to the appeal. Relics like worn finishes, scratched pick guards, and exposed wood under worn polish contribute to a vintage vibe. Guitarists love instruments with history behind them.
Paper
Brand new paper has a flat look while aged paper gains visual interest. Over decades, paper experiences oxidation and chemical changes that cause off-white, yellowish, or grey discoloration. Storage conditions affect the aging process as light, air quality, temperature, and moisture impact the paper. An antique book or letter on aged paper has a nostalgic, elegant appeal and delicate texture absent from fresh paper. Paper’s flaws tell a story and many prize vintage paper artifacts like newspapers and letters from the past.
Photos
Black and white or monochrome film photos tend to improve with age in many peoples’ opinions. As the prints gently fade and discolor over decades, they take on an atmospheric, timeless quality absent from glossy new photos. Sepia tone and slight fading evoke nostalgia. Photographic processes evolved over the past 150 years and each era of technique and paper yields different aging qualities. Vintage photos feel like records of history and windows into the past in a way new photos cannot replicate.
Perspective
One’s perspective and outlook often improves with age due to gaining wisdom and life experience. The idealistic naivety of youth gives way to a more balanced understanding of life’s nuances. Elderly individuals have lived through ups and downs and learned from various stages of life. Perspective is informed by the accumulated memories and knowledge built over many years of experience. With age frequently comes greater empathy, insight, patience and acceptance.
Hobbies
Engaging in hobbies for many years allows skills and mastery to develop in rewarding ways. Playing a musical instrument for decades allows talent to blossom. Long-time artists hone their creative skills over a lifetime. Gardening every season trains green thumbs and patience. With sustained passion, hobbies get better and more fulfilling as we age. There is joy in improving at activities we love.
Craftsmanship
Knowledgeable craftsmanship and mastery of skills and techniques are refined over years of experience. True experts dedicate decades to their trades. Custom woodworkers, glass blowers, mechanics, seamstresses, stonemasons – all become deeply talented after long, devoted careers. Their expertise and attention to detail is forged by time practicing their craft. Quality craftsmanship shows the mark of years of care and effort.
Homes
Much like clothes, homes conform to their inhabitants over time. An old house feels comfortable and shows the mark of those who lived there through scuffs, stains, repairs, worn steps and the patina of age. The creaks and sounds become familiar. A new home, in contrast, lacks the lived-in personality. The echo of meals cooked, children playing, parties hosted resonates through an old home’s very walls. The memories permeating a home give it spirit.
Friendships
Close friendships strengthen and deepen through shared life experiences over time. The years forge bonds strengthened by joys celebrated together and trials weathered together with love and support. Long-time friends have a history of inside jokes, memories and knowing each other profoundly. There is comfort and fulfillment in lifelong friendships that have stood the test of time. Old friends know us in unique ways.
Literature
The classics of literature endure because they have resonated across generations since publication. Novels by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and other esteemed authors published centuries ago have stood the test of time. Their prose remains accessible, impactful and profound. Fine literature holds timeless truths and insights into the human condition. Great novels often gain prestige and acclaim over decades as academics highlight their enduring genius.
Universality
Truly great literature touches on universal themes and human nature that resonate across cultures and eras. They offer insights and moral lessons that remain broadly relevant despite changes in society. The hopes, struggles, passions, flaws, and dreams portrayed feel familiar and profound.
Masterful prose
Expert writers combine words, imagery, themes and narrative arcs into memorable works of art. Their prose is engaging across generations thanks to creativity, vision, and skill. The style and mastery of language in well-crafted literature contributes to its timelessness.
Trees
Trees that survive for decades in suitable habitat have resilience, strength and health. They flourish and grow more impressive with time. The oldest trees stand tall as natural wonders after living for hundreds or thousands of years. Bristlecone pines, giant sequoias, and olive trees are famed as some of the most ancient trees on Earth. Their age and endurance connect us to the past in a profound way. The older the tree, the more awe it inspires.
Landscapes
Natural landscapes like mountains, deserts, and coastlines are shaped over eons of time by the elements and natural processes. Slow transformations caused by erosion, water, tectonic shifts, and weather patterns alter the topography gradually. Valleys deepen, minerals emerge, and rock formations take shape over hundreds and thousands of years. Ancient landscapes offer insights into Earth’s past and take on beauty because of their age.
Conclusion
While modernity values the novel and cutting edge, certain things tend to get better when given the gift of time. Wine, cheese, artisan goods, homes, and relationships improve in nuanced ways that add depth and character. Time grants perspective, wisdom, and experience. Nature’s slow processes transform living things and environments in awe-inspiring ways. Appreciating the gifts granted through accumulated years allows us to find value in the old as well as the new.