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How to Start a Wine Cellar
by Jennifer Matthews
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While it’s true that the majority of the world’s wines (as much as 95 per cent by some estimates) are best consumed within a year or two of their release, there are some wines that can become truly great when fully aged. And while it’s also true that vintage wines can be purchased from your wine merchant, there are a number of reasons that wine lovers opt to create their own cellars:
- Enjoyment. Having your own cellar means having the right bottle(s) of wine at your fingertips to enjoy with your candlelight dinner for two, or your dinner party for 20. And cellaring your own wines means that down the road you’ll have a selection of vintages that might be otherwise difficult to find—and afford—by the time you want to drink them.
- Collecting. For many wine lovers, the start of a wine cellar often also means the start of a more serious study of wine to further their collection. Wine collecting is a popular hobby, and there are numerous wine clubs and tastings where oenophiles can share knowledge—and of course, wine.
- Giving. Many people buy a bottle or a case of wine released in the year in which their child was born, and save the wine for the child’s 21st birthday (or other significant occasion). Bottles of a certain year, country or vineyard are also wonderful gifts for other wine lovers.
- Investing. For some people, wine collecting is more than a hobby. Many people buy strategically and in quantity when wines are first released, and save them until their value and rarity increases. While wines may not be a conservative investment, the plus side is that you can always drink your liquid assets if the market goes south.
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“Wine is bottled poetry.”
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Cellaring 101
If your goal is to properly age some treasured wines for enjoyment later, resist the temptation to simply toss a few bottles in a rack in the corner of your kitchen. Here are some of the most important considerations to remember when creating your cellar:
1. Create the right storage conditions. You'll need:
-- Appropriate space. Start by determining how much wine you wish to collect – then double the space you think you’ll need. You will almost always need more than you anticipate.
-- A dark, cool, vibration- and chemical-free environment. You don’t need an actual cellar, but you do need a cool, even temperature and moderate humidity. Light and vibration (even from a nearby washing machine) can prevent wine from aging properly, as can temperature fluctuations. Too little humidity can dry out the cork, causing oxidation in the wine, while too much can cause mold and damage the wine label. Also beware of off smells – don’t store your wine near paint thinners or other chemicals that can leak odors – the smell can actually permeate the cork of the wine bottle and affect the wine’s taste.
-- Racks or shelves on which to store your wine. Some experts recommend keeping wine in its original case from a value perspective, but you may find racks or shelves more convenient and more efficient in terms of space – and most experts agree that wine must be stored on its side to keep the cork wet and oxygen out. Whether you choose racks or shelves, be sure that the system is flexible enough to accommodate a number of bottle sizes.
-- If you’re short on space or ideal conditions, consider investing in a wine cabinet – a humidity and temperature-controlled environment that can store anywhere from 20 up to 800 bottles and fit under your kitchen counter or in your living room. Or rent a wine locker – ask your wine merchant for more information about reputable rentals in your area.
2. Educate yourself. Read books, join a wine club and attend or host wine tastings to develop an understanding of wine and a good sense of your own preferences.
3. Buy what you like. There are a multitude of “rules” about the “right” wines to cellar, and the correct ratios of reds to whites. But unless you’re planning to use your wines as investments, the best rule is to buy what you’d like to drink. And yes, white wines can be aged—particularly those that have a high degree of sweetness, acidity or alcohol. Consider rieslings, vintage champagnes, sauternes, chablis and late-harvest wines along with your red selections. (If “buy what you like” is too broad an adage for you, see our sidebar for a snapshot of one expert’s “well-rounded cellar.”)
4. Think short-, medium- and long-term. Short-term red and white wines work well for casual get-togethers and weeknight dinners, and typically cost less than $20 per bottle. Medium-term wines, ranging from around $12 to $30 per bottle, are great options for special dinner parties and the occasional indulgence. These are wines that will be a step up in quality, with aging potential for three to 10 years. This is probably the easiest category to shop for; reds especially are plentiful. For special occasions and important dinners, have a selection of long-term wines on hand. These wines will have the structure and complexity for 10 years of aging and beyond. Look for specials at wine stores and grab them now while they're available and affordable.
5.When possible, buy a case of each selection. This allows you to taste the wine periodically (every year or two) to see how it’s developing, and to know when it has reached its peak. Keep notes on how the wine’s flavors are changing with time.
6. Buy a variety of bottle sizes for maximum versatility.
7. Remember the last course—dessert and fortified wines.
8. Don’t overage your wine—a too-old wine can taste far worse than one drunk too early. The only way to know if a wine is ready to be consumed is to taste it periodically (see #5).
9. Don’t overlook up-and-coming wine regions versus the more expensive “establishment.” You might miss out on some good wines that could become great wines later.
