February 23, 2024
Wine Collecting Guide: How to start a wine collection
Building a wine cellar is almost like a rite of passage for wine lovers. Exploring the vast and intricate world of wine may feel like opening a Pandora's box— the more you learn, the more you realize there is to know. Initiating a wine collection can be daunting. Questions like which wines to buy, how many, and how long to keep them are typical.
Owning a wine cellar is often considered a mindset, and people have various reasons for starting one. Forward-thinking individuals understand that high-quality wines become more complex as they age, making them a worthwhile investment for future enjoyment.
The process is straightforward, all you need to do is start with a small selection of wines that will improve with age. It doesn't have to be expensive Bordeaux first growths; it just needs to be something you like, that will age well, and that you enjoy sipping.
To begin, identify your preferences. Take the time to explore different wine types and develop an understanding of your personal taste. Visit local wine shops, go on vineyard tours, or seek advice from your favorite restaurant's sommelier. Experiment with different varietals like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir to discover your favorites. Whether you prefer sleek and sexy pinot noirs or the earthy and robust versions, you won't know until you try them both.
If you're unsure, stick with classic grape types like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, or Sanviogese.
Start by acquiring a few bottles of classic varietals that have a good aging potential— check the recommended drinking windows on the bottles. Depending on your budget, we've provided some recommendations below to help you get started. You can even split a 6x75cl case with a friend to get better value for your money.
Proper storage is crucial for preserving the aging potential of your wines. Invest in a wine fridge or consider using a professional storage facility. Store your wine in a cool, dark, and humid environment to maintain its quality over time. Avoid exposing the bottles to direct sunlight or temperature fluctuations that can negatively impact the aging process.
Start by opening and enjoying one bottle, then save another for a year and taste it again. Continue tasting every 1-3 year intervals, depending on the recommended aging time.
Building a wine collection is a journey that requires patience and exploration. It's not about amassing numerous bottles but rather curating a selection that brings you pleasure and tells a unique story. Remember, wine collecting is about enjoying the process, discovering new flavors, and creating treasured memories with loved ones and friends.
Value
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2016
All wine collections in our opinion need to have some of the 'classics' in them and it does not get more classic than Brunello produced by Il Poggione. They produce a traditional styled version of one of the cult Italian grapes, Sangiovese. Across the board, Brunello is known to produce pure terroir expressive wines which could arguably be what Vosne-Romanee is to Burgundy. The wines possess a perfect balance between power, elegance, fruit-forwardness, and complexities. The wines can age for decades so we recommend 12 bottles for the cellar as you'll be tempted to keep opening them once you've tried a bottle. Il Poggione is the best value in the region and each vintage scores highly. A staple in our own personal cellars.
Dominio del Aguila Picaro Vinas Viejas 2019
Jorge Monzon Pascual, the man behind Dominio del Aguila has an impressive CV having worked at the holy grail of wineries, Domaine de la Romanee Conti as well as arguably Spain's most influential winery, Vega Sicilia. After setting up his own winery in his home village of La Aguilera, his wines have grown to fame as being some of Spain's best. One of the keys to his success is his cellar which is deeper than usual and thus cooler than other cellars in the region. This makes fermentation incredibly long and slow resulting in more complexities developing. The Picaro is his entry level red but it is entry only my name. Predominantly tempranillo with a splash of about 5% local varieties that we can't pronounce, it's a wine we consistently keep going back to.
Glaetzer Anaperenna 2021
Nicknamed the Baron of Barossa for his notable impact on the region, Ben Glaetzer crafts classically styled Australian wines characterized by restraint. His Anaperenna, a quintessential Barossa blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, masterfully balances richness with finesse, embodying the best attributes of both varietals. It serves as a great wine to start exploring the classics of the Australian wine scene. The wine offers a fantastic price-to-quality ratio too.
Mid-Range
Fontodi Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo Gran Selezione 2019
Fontodi's wines truly capture the essence of Tuscany. With a rich history, biodynamic farming principles and a great family behind the scenes making the wines, Fontodi has quickly become one of the region's best producers. They have two top wines, the Flaccinello and the Vigna del Sorbo which had its vineyards upgraded to Gran Selezione in 2014. The Vigna del Sorbo comes from a plot with 55-year-old vines and produces a trade mark style laced with minerality and nuances of pencil shavings and iron ore. Sangiovese lovers should not hesitate.
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2021
Kumeu River produces world-class Chardonnay in the humble town of Aukland in New Zealand. It has been well-recorded that Kumeu River has outshone Burgundian greats such as Leflaive, Lafon, Sauzet, and Drouhin at blind tastings. Drinking at a level which could be compared to a Burgundy Premier Cru, the Coddington comes from a small 2.4-hectare plot with heavyweight clay soils producing only 900 cases annually (which is very little). With burgundy prices through the roof, Kumeu River has moved to a staple in our cellar.
Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
One would not associate Pinot Noir with Australia but the island of Tasmania off the coast of Melbourne does not have the typical climate the country has grown to fame for. With the cooling influences of the sea, Tasmania has a microclimate giving it more similarities in growing conditions to France than in Australia. Their wines have been compared to have similarities to Grand Cru Burgundy and the last few vintages have all received 98 points from Decanter magazine solidifying it as a great buy. Classical drinkers should absolutely not hesitate to add this to their cellar.
Premium
Fontodi Flaccianello delle Pieve 2019
We mentioned one of Fontodi's wines in the Mid-range section and for those with the budget, we highly recommend Fontodi's Flaccianello delle Pieve. Named after Panzano's Pieve di San Leolino church, Flaccianello Della Pieve is a pure Sangiovese representation, spearheaded by Giovanni Manetti and Franco Bernabei, marking a new era for Italian super Tuscans. Initially sourced from a single vineyard (1981-2000), it now comprises select parcels across the estate since 2001, highlighting diverse soils and exposures. The crafting process involves meticulous selection, steel tank fermentation, and barrel ageing—shifting to a larger bottle in 2013 for refinement. The introduction of amphorae in the 2016 vintage has elevated its elegance, showcasing the terroir’s full potential. It's a must for Italian wine lovers.
Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubin Premier Cru En Remilly 2015
Hubert Lamy produces cult-status Chardonnay in the humble village of Saint-Aubin. His wines are usually sold out on allocation on release and in the last few years we've seen prices rise as demand has soared for the wines. Lamy's Premier Cru's are some of our favourites in Saint-Aubin and transcend the reputation of the village. Lamy focuses on minimal intervention, allowing the wine to ferment naturally with indigenous yeasts ageing in carefully selected French oak. The result is wines that are celebrated for their purity, depth, and precision.
Krug Grande Cuvee 171eme Edition NV
Krug is the champagne lovers’ champagne. Since its founding in 1843 by Johann-Joseph Krug, the house has become synonymous with luxury. What sets Krug apart is their approach to blending and creating editions (something we're seeing more champagne houses follow and do now as well). The Krug Grande Cuvée honours Joseph Krug's vision of crafting superior Champagne, blending over 120 wines from at least 10 different vintages. This unique combination yields a complex array of flavours and aromas, distinguishing it from single-year wines. We're big fans of Krug and it should be a staple in your cellar.