Wine Industry Insider Tips on Building a Wine Collection
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Building Your Cellar
Whether you're a casual wine drinker or an aspiring sommelier, starting a wine collection can be a rewarding journey. A thoughtfully built collection allows you to explore new varietals, savor wines as they mature, and create a personal archive of your favorite bottles and shared memories. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of getting started.
Why Start a Wine Collection?
Wine collecting isn't just for connoisseurs. Here are a few reasons people start:
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Enjoyment: Have your favorite wines on hand for special occasions or everyday sipping.
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Education: Learn about regions, vintages, and winemaking techniques. Wine and food go together, so learning recipes and dishes that complement your vintages are an important part of wine enjoyment. Just remember, there are no rules. Whatever you like best is what works. Practice and tasting lots of different wines will make you more familiar with flavors, blends, and how you like to offset your favorite dishes.
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Investment: Some wines appreciate in value over time. However, there is a caveat to this. ONLY wines stored at the proper temperature will hold their value on the open market. Many collectors require proof that the wine was housed in the correct setting. However, if, like us, you're merely out for the pleasure and enjoyment of wine, a quick trip in an air conditioned car or cooler for an hour or so won't ruin it. Just make sure to cool it immediately on arrival.
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Entertaining: Wine is meant to be shared over a good meal. It can also serve as the centerpiece for a party, event, or get together. Sharing your favorite wine with guests from a curated selection from your favorite winery, trip, or discovery is a great conversation starter. Have everyone bring a favorite bottle to share and tell why they love it. Or have a blind tasting. When guests arrive, put each bottle in a brown paper bag. Only the host opens each bottle and keeps track by writing it down on an index card face down in front of each bottle. Each guest shares what they taste in the glass and where they think the wine came from, the varietal, or even the winery if they are that familiar with the region. It’s amazing how the taste buds can trick the mind, even from thinking a wine is red or white!
What Wines Should You Start With?
There are no strict rules, but a balanced starter collection often includes:
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Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Bordeaux Blends, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carignan, and Syrah
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Whites: Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Viognet, and Semillion
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Sparkling: Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Sparkling Rose, Prosecco
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Specialty Wines: Dessert wines like Port or Sauternes
Don’t be afraid to mix things up! The goal is to collect what you enjoy, not just what the experts say.
Understanding Wine Aging & Storage
Not all wines are meant to age. However, wines like Bordeaux, Barolo, or Burgundy can improve with time. Here in the US we are known for wanting to drink our wines quickly. We are not as used to aging long term as they are in Europe. For that reason many US made wines are made to be consumed immediately or short term. However, many California red wines are holding up quite well in longer term storage, as long as they are the correct temperature.
Proper storage is key to preserving your wine:
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Temperature: Ideal range is 55-58°F
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Humidity: Keep it around 60-70% to protect corks
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Light: Avoid UV rays, which can degrade wine
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Vibration: Minimize movement to keep sediments settled
How to Store Your Wine Properly
Skip the kitchen fridge. Even a few bottles can take up too much space needed for entertaining and large trays of food. Even with more than 10 bottles, a wine cooler is a must. How often have we went to a tasting and come home with 6 bottles or a case because the wine was special or the winery offered a deal. Check your bottles and make sure they can rest while waiting to be opened:
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Store bottles horizontally (if corked) Champagne is the exception here but a good vintage will do well lying on its side.
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Avoid frequent temperature swings. Set it and forget it. Once the bottle is in, let it be until it’s time to drink it.
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Choose a storage solution that fits your space and collection size. We always say bigger is better so you have room to grow.
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We offer full kitchen solutions so you can seamlessly match your wine fridge with other appliances.
Keep a Wine Inventory or Journal
Documenting your collection makes it easier to manage and enjoy. Use apps like Vivino or CellarTracker, or go old school with a handwritten journal.
Track:
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Wine name and vintage
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Purchase date and price
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Tasting notes
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Drink-by date
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Any notes about where you bought it, occasion, et
This also helps you avoid buying duplicates and plan when to open aging bottles.
Set a Budget and Grow Gradually
Wine collecting doesn’t have to be expensive. Start with a monthly or quarterly wine budget. Buy one to drink now, one to save. Build slowly and intentionally. Attend as many tasting events as possible and meet with the winemakers and somms who can steer you in the right direction for your palate.
Pro tip: Buy in twos—one to enjoy today and one to revisit in a year or more. Or taste different vintages side by side.
You can check out our Preferred Vintner page for some of our off the beaten path favorites.
Tips for Aspiring Collectors
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Buy from trusted wine shops or direct from wineries
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Join a wine club or subscribe to curated selections
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Visit tasting rooms (especially if you're near wine country)
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Follow wine reviewers, sommeliers, and wine podcasts and check out our Youtube channel for what we’re drinking and where.
Remember: a good collection is one that brings you joy.
When to Invest in a Wine Fridge
If your collection is growing beyond 10 bottles, it’s time to consider wine refrigeration. A dedicated wine cooler protects your bottles from the elements that can destroy their flavor and aging potential.
From compact units for small spaces to large built-ins for serious collectors, we offer a wide range of premium wine storage solutions to suit your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Collecting wine isn’t about snobbery—it’s about stories, senses, and savoring what you love. Start small, stay curious, and always make room for one more bottle.
In Vino Veritas!