Many people enjoy wine as a social drink that has a lot of history behind it. It can be used to relax after a long day, while others enjoy wine in a collector’s mindset. Wine is a product that can appreciate in value depending on the bottle, date, brand, and more. Many people buy a special bottle of alcohol that they save for a certain occasion or hope that it appreciates to be able to sell in the future. Instead of buying a bottle to sell or to save, many people enjoy making a collection of wine for either a wine room, wine cellar, or just a small wine collection. The people that enjoy collecting wine often look for specific brands that resonate with guests or other wine enthusiasts to spark a conversation or give them a reason to finally drink the bottle with someone who shares the same appreciation for fine wine. The wine community is full of people who are very passionate about everything from the growing process to pouring the last drop out of the bottle.
When diving into a wine collection there are a few tips that you should consider before looking at a bottle or tasting potential candidates for your wine collection. The five tips include:
- Establishing a Budget
- Figure Out Storage
- Decide whether it’s for Fun or Investment
- Search Reputable Sources
- Taste and Find your niche
Establishing a budget is very important because it is crucial to avoid buyer’s remorse after you make your purchase. Most people get carried away with going all out buying rare and expensive wines that are available. Make sure you stay firm on your budget so you can properly build a quality collection that will leave you wanting more. Keep disposable income to the side and spend your money in a smart way so you can continue to grow with your new passion.
Figuring out storage is the step that most people overlook as soon as they start a wine collection because they think they won’t have enough wine to need storage yet. This misconception can lead to broken bottles and spoilage if not stored properly. Having a storage system that looks out for what you are trying to do such as saving the bottles for a long time or general consumption. A storage system can also include a wine cooler for younger wines that you plan on drinking within a shorter period of time. Find what will work for your collection and you.
Deciding whether it’s for fun or if it is for investment purposes is probably the most important part of getting ready for a wine collection. If you choose to keep it for investment and then a year later decide to drink it, then you are down from your investment and didn’t make any money from it.
Searching for sources that are sure to give you great results for great bottles of wine is a way to ensure the success of your wine collection. Most people that find a rare or expensive wine have either bought it at a winery or at a wine tasting event where the wines are available and not really considered rare in the world of wine. Getting a bottle that was made in a well-recognized wine region is going to be much rarer than a bottle from your local liquor store. Make sure you know what you are buying before you actually purchase it.
Wine is subjective like most other things that are a commodity, and it should all be based on your personal preference for taste, color, and brand. Visiting a tasting room can get your palate updated with certain types of wine as well as give you some favorites that you could research when you get home. The people that run the wine tasting will also give you amazing knowledge about fine wines. This could also include information about certain processes and history of certain wineries and bottles. The one thing that you can guarantee about wine is how it tastes for you and how the wine makes you feel. Go with your gut and create a collection that you feel proud of.