Starting a Wine Collection
Things to ask yourself when you want to start collecting wine
What Type of Wine Collector Do You Want to Be?
When considering how to become a wine collector, you should consider what types of wines you enjoy. Wine collecting is, just like anything else, a collection of things. Whether that thing is GI Joe action figures, teaspoons, airplanes, or wine, it’s a collection. You have to decide what kind of collector you’re going to be.
The first is a collector who collects for pleasure, with little or no desire to make profits. This person loves drinking wine and sharing it with friends. The second is a collector who collects for enjoyment and profit-making. This is the type of person who finds a rare bottle and buys two so they can drink one and save one. This collector will spend money on a bottle of wine that they don’t care for, if they know when it matures it will appreciate in value.
How Much Can You Invest in Your Collection?
Some people jump into their search for how to become a wine collector with both feet, spending quite a bit when they do. Others go slower (and sometimes really slow), buying a bottle or two here and there. Neither of these methods is wrong, as long as it’s on a budget that fits your lifestyle. Wine experts say that for $300 to $400, you can start a modest wine collection. They also will tell you that, for $1000 to $2000, you can put together an impressive display. One that, as they say, will stand the test of time. We suggest that you take a hard look at your finances and decide what you can afford. That way, you can enjoy your new wine collecting hobby. No hobby should cause you to go broke. Overspending on a wine collection is easy to do. Keep track of your spending and your Inventory.
Where Will You Store a Wine Collection?
If you’re becoming a wine collector for pleasure, you probably won’t need to worry about refrigeration. However, if you’re investing in wine for profit, professional refrigeration is a must. The truth is, wine can be very fussy. If it isn’t stored correctly, long-term, the climate can ruin it. This, of course, can drastically affect your profit margin. Professional refrigeration will keep your wine at the optimal temperature of 55 F. The best refrigerators will protect your wine against temperature fluctuations and spikes also. If you plan to amass an extensive collection, professional refrigeration is a must.
Much like refrigeration, wine storage is a significant variable that you must consider. If you plan to purchase a few bottles here and there, storing them at home in a cool, dark place is best. Yet, if you plan to create a more extensive collection, a basement or other similar space would be very helpful. (You need a storage area that won’t cause temperature fluctuations.) However, if you don’t have a basement or wine cellar, you can always rent storage space.
At Wine Vault Napa Valley, we offer storage and refrigeration. We keep pallets of wine well-maintained year-round. Your Wine is kept secure and safe, with 24/7 video monitoring and a completely climate-controlled environment.
Do You Love a Certain Wine?
One of the pleasures of starting a wine collection is that, if you love a particular bottle, you could enjoy it again. Of course, it helps if you purchase a few immediately after you taste that specific bottle. That way, you’ll get bottles from the same case. That’s why wine experts say that if you love a bottle, buy it. If you can afford it, buy a case. If that’s beyond your budget, buy 2 or 3 bottles. That’s how you start a wine collection. You’ll end up with a couple of varietals that are your go to grapes. Personally mine are Zinfandel and Cabernet, not on purpose just from what i like and buy when I’m tasting.
Do Wine Collectors Join Winery Clubs?
When you’re looking into how to become a wine collector, winery clubs should be on your list. Whether for pleasure or profit, it never hurts to get deals on your wine purchases. The best way to do that is to join a few winery clubs and get on their mailing list. Usually, to join, its just a purchase minimum to join. All clubs that I have seen offer full customization to the orders as long as you meet the minimum. If you like a winery or their wine maker it’s a great idea to join their club. That way, any time they have a sale or sell “futures” of an upcoming vintage, you’ll know. A wine “future” is when a winery sells an upcoming vintage below the final bottle cost. It’s slightly risky because the real character of the wine isn’t known yet. Its a future so it can be a gamble, however it can often get you a great deal on some great wine.
