How to Start a Wine Collection?

Issue: Jul 2022

Wine is a beautiful beverage and one of the few that rewards you for having it around for some time. Wine can age, and some of it gets better over time.

Collecting wine might just be the tastiest hobby out there, but there are a few things to consider before starting a wine collection. After all, we all have varying and unique vinous needs. How should you go about starting a wine collection? This is our guide to storing and purchasing wine to build a cellar like a wine aficionado with all the necessary know-hows, even if you don’t quite know where to start yet.

Know Yourself

Every wine lover eventually dreams of starting a wine collection. Still, wine means different things to everyone. Ask yourself how often do you drink wine. Do you entertain guests often?

A wine collection might come in handy if you open a few bottles every week. If you’re not a recurrent drinker, you’re better off purchasing wine for the occasion — wine is more available than ever, and you don’t have to deal with caring for it. Do you want a wine collection for future enjoyment? Or perhaps as an investment? Either way, the types of wine you collect matter.

What type of wines are best suited for long-term storage?

95% of the wine on the market is meant to be enjoyed young. White wine is best before it turns three years old; the sooner you consume it, the better. Most red wines are still in good shape after five years, but only a few will have a shelf life longer than that. There’s nothing wrong with having this type of wine in your collection — it can be of excellent quality and delicious, but it’s unlikely that it will last long enough for you to be able to pass it on to your grandchildren.

The best types of wine for long-term storage come from classic wine regions and are produced by reputable wineries. Here’s a short list of areas to explore for collectible wine:

France

Bordeaux
Burgundy
Northern Rhône
Châteauneuf du Pape
Champagne
Alsace (Grand Cru)

Italy

Barolo
Barbaresco
Brunello di Montalcino

Spain

Rioja
Ribera del Duero
Priorat
Sherry

Others

Oporto, Portugal
Madeira, Portugal
Mosel, Germany
Rheingau, Germany
Wachau, Austria
Tokaji, Hungary
Napa Valley, California, USA
Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Puente Alto, Chile
Tupungato, Argentina
Paarl, South Africa
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Yarra Valley, Australia
Barossa, Australia
Margaret River, Australia

There are many other sources of fine wine worldwide, and some are relatively unknown! Don’t stick to the better-known wine regions; instead, explore a little!

How to buy your wine?

When buying wine for short-term enjoyment, any liquor store or supermarket will do. Online wine sales have become increasingly popular as well! Never buy the cheapest bottle on the shelf, but don’t splurge either. Mid-tier wine has the best quality-price ratio.

If you’re looking for special bottles to add to your collection, try to buy them directly from the producer. When it comes to wine for long-term storage and wine as an investment, provenance matters. Most, if not all, wineries sell wine on their websites, and if they don’t, they can direct you to a dependable supplier.

Buying wine from other collectors and even at auction comes with its risks. After all, not everyone is as committed to storing their wine as you are. Besides, the fine wine market is flooded with counterfeits, so getting your wine from a reliable source is paramount.

Wine Storage Conditions

Collecting wine requires you to go far beyond merely buying it and setting it aside. You must store it under the right conditions to ensure it’s in good shape when you open it, and that goes for short-term and long-term wines.

Store wine on its side in a dark or dim-lit place, away from heat sources, direct sunlight or vibration. Ensure the wine is stored at a constant temperature between 10°C (50°F) and 16°C (61°F) and an ideal humidity between 65 to 75%.

For a small collection, the space under your stairs or your closet might be ideal for you. A wine storing unit, or a dedicated cellar is necessary for more extensive wine collections. Store your wine collection right, and you’ll enjoy it for decades!

Tips and Ideas for Your Wine Collection

Collect wine you personally enjoy. There’s no point in laying down a few bottles of Napa Cab if you’re not fond of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Collect wines from vintages that mean something to you, like your anniversary date or the year your children were born. What are the best vintages for wine? The best vintages depend on the region, so you’ll first need to choose a region you’re interested in and research the most valued vintages for the area.
Ensure you have a few everyday wines in your collection as well, bottles you won’t hesitate to open whenever you feel like it. Don’t forget about dessert and sparkling wine. Both wine styles have incredibly long shelf lives and are some of the most enjoyable wines out there.
Don’t collect wine waiting for the right occasion to open it, since that occasion might never come. The right time to open a special bottle is when having friends and family for dinner.
Do your own research. Read about a winery, its terroir and its philosophy before buying wine for your collection. Know the stories behind every bottle, and you’ll always have something to say about them.

Start Your Wine Collection Today

The best part of starting a wine collection or building a cellar is that you don’t even have to splurge. Start with a few bottles you’ll know you’ll enjoy in the future and go from there.

The hardest part is keeping yourself from popping open those gems you have in the back for lunch! Of course, wine is all about enjoyment, so it’s okay to call some friends over for a memorable bottle of wine from time to time. A wine collection is an excellent way to become a better host, so make wine part of your life!

With 24/7 customer access across 3 locations conveniently located in the heart of Singapore, Winebanc has crafted a private, exclusive, and minimalistic yet elegant wine cellar to meet your demands for wine preservation and delectation. Visit us at www.winebanc.wine or contact us at 6955 9788 to start your very own wine collection today!