Starting A Wine Collection

Once the domain of fanatics with discretionary income and room for a spacious cellar, wine collecting has caught on as a popular pastime with the younger generation. Novice connoisseurs inaugurating their collection are realizing more and more that the hobby does not require a large sum of cash to start or even maintain.

The fact of the matter is that with the right amount of savvy and research, great deals on quality wine can be found. As well, it is always more economical to buy in bulk. Even though most young collectors lack the proper space to develop a certifiable cellar, a dark closet or cabinet can serve as a substitute.

A simple but elegant wine rack is a good idea to store wine in a safe yet accessible place. The essence of wine collecting, however, is in the appreciation you develop for each bottle. Given the proper knowledge about how to assemble a fine anthology, wine collecting will prove to be a gratifying experience.

where to start

Most people decide to collect wine either for pleasure or profit. While it need not cost a fortune to begin with, the hobby will require a certain investment on your part -- of money as well as time.

No matter what your motive is, the crucial aspect to consider is the storage of the collection. It is all about preserving your investment, no matter what the value, so that it will improve.

Wine that has been protected under the proper conditions will age the way the master of the vintage intended. By contrast, a wine that has not been cared for will not last at all, no matter what kind of quality it had to begin with.

Keep in mind that not all wine is meant to be stored over a long period of time. Therefore, before you begin to invest, you should discover which wine you should buy and for what purpose.

One basic tenet to adhere to in purchasing wine is to determine the "provenance" of the vintage -- that is, the quality of the storage conditions. If possible, ask for certification before making a major purchase. It may seem insignificant but wine is not bottled water. A bottle of wine is host to a variety of chemicals, microorganisms and gases that react with each other over time, changing the composition of the liquid.

a bottle balance

In assembling a variety of bottles for your collection, strive to maintain a balance between New Age wine from nations such as Australia and Chile, Old World wine from Europe, ready-to-drink wine unfit for long-term storage, and dessert wine.

The type and intensity of flavors will vary from one style to the next and some will transform with age. Some wine that may seem average upon release can improve over time while others will diminish in quality.

Older wine develops a flavor that has been described as balanced, smooth and soft. A younger one will display a flavor with more bite and intensity. Most people are accustomed to the taste of a more recent vintage. If you fall into this category, but would like to experience the pleasure of an older wine, the best thing to do is start collecting!

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Cellaring Wine: A Complete Guide to Selecting, Building, and Managing Your Wine Collection