Starting a wine collection can be one of the most rewarding things a wine lover can do. With that said, it takes planning and a surprising level of organization. Why? Well, the bigger your wine storage gets, the quicker it can get out of hand. After all, nobody wants to spend ages searching for a particular bottle to pop open during dinner.
But, turning your wine collection into a well-oiled machine means getting a gift that keeps on giving. Keep reading to find out how you can do just that!
The Benefits of Starting a Wine Collection
Firstly, let’s talk about why you should organise a wine collection. If you’re hell-bent on starting a collection or you’re a casual wine hobbyist who is on the fence about it, consider the following:
- You have the perfect bottle for every occasion
- Your wine collection can rise in value over time
- They’re a feature to the home (and can also raise the price of a house)
- They let you deep-dive into wine knowledge and wisdom
- They’re fun!
- Wine storage designs can fit the décor of your home
Be Picky With What Wines You Collect
Okay, now you’re sure that starting a collection is what you want to do. But you can’t just pick any random wine and throw it into storage. You have to be picky. Be ruthless.
Pick wines that you actually like - and cull the rest. If you’re gifted a wine that you’ll never drink, consider setting it aside and gifting it to someone else when the occasion calls for it.
Your collection should be pure joy, and every bottle should be a wine you’re fond of.
Inform Yourself About the Wine Aging Process
Starting a collection will need you to get geeky about all things wine. Learn about the aging process and which wines are great for aging. These include merlots, cabernet sauvignon, port, monastrell and malbec. Learn about acing the right conditions for wine storage in our blog here.
Use a Wine Collection Inventory
We highly recommend an inventory of your collection. These are usually in the form of a spreadsheet, but you can also find wine inventory apps that are super easy to use. Inventories will generally include variety, vintage, profile, price, region and more. Bar and restaurant technology can also allow you to scan each bottle straight into your database.
Organise Your Wine By Preference
The best way to organise your wine is an age-long debate. In other words, there’s no official way to do it. Many collectors organise by variety because they allow you to seamlessly taste, compare and contrast wine varieties, whether they are from different regions or brand. This also lets you keep tabs on varieties that are lacking or overstocked.
Make sure you keep your older wine bottles at the back of your wine storage rack. This will also help to keep them out of light and under the best conditions.
So what are you waiting for? Get started with your wine collection today with our Australian-made wine racks.
