Home wine collections used to be the domain of the ultra-wealthy—sprawling cellars filled with rare vintages, each locked away in special, climate-controlled areas. But now, it’s easier than ever for anyone to start their own personal wine cellar. With the right knowledge, wine-lovers of all backgrounds can learn about the art of collecting, storing, and enjoying fine wines at home.
Building Your Collection
In order to start building your own wine collection, you need to develop an understanding of the different wine varieties, winemakers, and regions. To explore these options, you can start with tastings—either attending a local wine tasting event to sample wines from different wineries, or ordering a few bottles of different types of wine from an online retailer. By tasting different wines, you can begin to form an idea of which styles and makers you want to include in your collection.
Once you’ve developed a special fondness for certain varieties, it’s time to start amassing them. Depending on your budget and preferences, start acquiring wines from different wineries and regions. If you’re looking for rare vintages and unique bottles, you may want to be on the lookout for one-time releases from boutique winemakers, as well as new releases or age-worthy wines.
Optimal Storage Solutions
When you’ve accumulated a good collection of wines, you’ll need to ensure they’re stored in the best conditions. Nutritious bottles must be kept away from direct sunlight, in a cool, temperature-controlled environment, and at a consistent relative humidity level. The ideal humidity level for wine storage is between 55 and 75%, while the ideal temperature is between 50 and 55°F. It’s also important for the area to have limited air circulation, as excess air can cause the wines to oxidize.
If your collection gets too large for the average wine rack or refrigerator, you may want to consider investing in a wine cellar. A full wine cellar is a large, insulated space with dedicated cooling and humidity control systems. They can hold up to several hundred bottles, making them ideal for the serious collector. This type of storage requires an initial investment, and can be built in new construction projects or added as an existing structure in your home.
Serving and Enjoying Your Wines
Once you have your wines comfortably stored, you can move onto serving and enjoying them. The best places to start are medium-bodied reds and crisp, light-bodied whites. When served at the proper temperature, these can be delightful for casual occasions with family and friends. Once you get a feel for the different flavor profiles and temperatures, you can begin to move onto more unique wines and start taking advantage of the full breadth of your collection.
Collecting wines for your home cellar can be an exciting and rewarding pursuit. With the right know-how, you can start to explore the beautiful world of winemaking and discover the diverse flavors that await. Once you’ve tasted these wines and learned to store them in the most ideal conditions, it’s time to sit back and enjoy a glass of something truly special.