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 Printable PDF
Culinary Corners
Wine Collecting 101
10/1/07
Wine Collecting 101
By Paul White • Photography courtesy of Three Sisters Vineyards
So you’ve built your custom home and filled it with such distinctive amenities as top-of-the-line appliances, luxurious furnishings and the ultimate home theatre. Now you’re thinking about finishing off the basement to include a temperature-controlled wine room. But having a state-of-the-art wine cellar and stocking a cellar are two different tasks. The question is, “What wines should you fill your cellar with?”
Beginning your wine collection is a very private undertaking, and your choices depend on several factors. An important aspect to consider is your reason for collecting.
If you are you merely trying to one-up the Joneses, then you should subscribe to a publication such as Wine Spectator and hunt down the 90+ point wines that are reviewed each month. On the other hand, if you are compelled by investment potential, then get your name on the waiting lists for California cult favorites such as Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate and consider buying Bordeaux futures.
However, as a general rule, the neighbors couldn’t care less about the details of your wine selections, and almost every prudent investor would rather retain Charles Schwab to assist with retirement goals than rely on a wine’s secondary market appreciation.
Most are drawn to wine collecting as a hobby because of its social attributes, health benefits and its connection to agriculture, food and its vast cultural significance.
It is unfortunate, but wine is often looked at as something that is only understood and passionately enjoyed by aficionados. As such, non-experts can have a tough time experimenting and discovering new quality wines.
Everyone knows about Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and maybe even Pinot Noir. But what about some of the other worthy grape varietals that also offer great flavor and can be excellent values? There are dozens of wine-producing countries, hundreds of grape varieties, thousands of vineyard regions, and tens of thousands of producers. Where to start?
Here is an entertaining way for even the least savvy wine drinker to learn about wine. Order up an assortment of wine from a dependable retailer – ask for recommendations and mix it up. Try some reds, whites, rosés, and bubblies from all over the map. Then with some friends, make a night of it and enjoy the taste testing. Drink through these bottles, not necessarily all in one sitting, but take note of what you enjoy most or dislike about each bottle and each variety.
When choosing your favorites, keep in mind that wine is similar to music: you might not know what the experts consider to be first-rate, but you know what you like. You need to learn how to trust your own palette, and to experience wines that are not part of your usual repertoire. It will broaden your horizons and help you create a collection of wines that you truly enjoy, making you the ultimate connoisseur of your cellar.
A starter list of lesser-known grape varietals includes: Alicante Bouschet, Tannat, Barbera, Viognier, Carignane, Zinfandel (red & white), Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Mourvèdre and Norton (also known as Cynthiana).
For more information on stocking your cellar, visit the following resources: appellationamerica.com, eRobertParker.com, winegeeks.com and
winepros.org.
TCH Hot Wine Tip
Three Sisters Vineyards, Dahlonega, GA 2001
Meritage $43.00/bottle
The term “Meritage” was created by combining the words “merit” and “heritage” and was coined to celebrate the highest form of the winemaker’s art. The Three Sisters Vineyards’ Meritage is a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. During each vintage, Three Sisters Vineyards (pictured above) selects the two finest barrels of these wines and creates a “limited edition” bottling. This wine is only available from the Three Sisters Winery. For more information, visit www.threesistersvineyards.com.
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