- Start with your personal taste: Wine collecting is a journey that starts with your personal preference. What types of wine do you like to drink? Are you interested in red, white, or rose? Do you prefer a certain region or grape variety? Once you have a clear idea of what you enjoy, you can start to build your collection around those preferences.
- Learn about wine: Before you start collecting, it's important to educate yourself about wine. Attend tastings, read books, and talk to experts in the field. Learn about the different regions, grape varieties, and vintages, as well as how to store, serve, and pair wines. The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to make informed decisions about your collection.
- Set a budget: Wine collecting can be expensive, so it's important to set a budget and stick to it. Determine how much you can afford to spend on each bottle and plan your purchases accordingly.
- Start small: Don't feel like you need to build a massive collection right away. Start small by purchasing a few bottles at a time and gradually building your collection over time. Consider joining a wine club or spend a day tasting to find unique bottles and expand your collection. Another good way to explore your preferences is to host a tasting with friends. Open several bottles at a similar price point and go back and buy more of your favorite.
- Store your wine properly: Proper storage is crucial to the longevity and quality of your wine collection. Store your bottles in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature and humidity level. Avoid storing wine in areas with fluctuating temperatures or excessive light exposure like a kitchen.
- Keep track of your collection: As your collection grows, it's important to keep track of what you have. Use an app or spreadsheet to track your bottles, including information such as vintage, region, and purchase date. This will help you manage your collection and make informed decisions about future purchases. I use the Invino app but only record bottles over $25 since I don’t need to keep track of a $12 prosecco we might use for mimosas. Also I would prefer to have 10 bottles of 10 different wines than 100 bottles, each a different winery, year, and varietal.
- Enjoy your wine: Finally, don't forget to enjoy your collection! Wine collecting is a fun and rewarding hobby, but it's important to remember that wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed. Open a bottle with friends or family and savor the flavors and aromas of your collection.