Building a wine cellar is not just a task; it’s a joyous and rewarding experience, even on a budget. The anticipation of selecting and aging your favorite wines, the thrill of finding a good deal, and the satisfaction of seeing your collection grow are all part of this delightful journey.
You don’t need a mansion or a fortune to create a collection you love. I have been curating my cellar in my basement for the past three years, and I have some recommendations for you. Let me guide you through curating your little wine heaven step by step.
Maintaining the right temperature for wine storage is imperative. Hence, proper storage is essential. Think of your wine cellar as a sanctuary where your bottles can rest and mature gracefully. The ideal temperature is:
A basement often fits the bill, but consider a wine fridge if you lack this space. For instance, I have a mix of these two spaces. On the one hand, we built a modest cellar in my basement, but I also have wine fridges in other rooms throughout my house. Wine fridges offer controlled temperature and humidity, protecting your investment and ensuring your wines age gracefully. They can be located in any room where you find a fit.
Read more: How to build your wine cellar at home?
Once you have your storage space, think about organization.
One strategy is to divide your cellar into sections according to the category of specialty wines you want to give to each wine.
You can also categorize the wines by country. I liked the ‘by the region’ approach very much at the beginning of my wine cellaring journey as it gave me more visibility into the origin of the wine I was collecting. However, I eventually knew I wanted to keep some of the wines of specific wine regions to age. Therefore, I created a new section with long-term treasures to store those special wines I wanted to age easily.
Building a cellar is a personal adventure. The best advice I can give you is to age what you like. Aging is about exploring your palate and discovering new favorites. It’s not just about collecting wines; it’s about broadening your horizons and enjoying the journey of discovery.
Buying at release can be a smart strategy for age-worthy wines, especially those from renowned regions. Prices tend to increase over time, so snag those Barolos and Burgundies early!
Auctions can be treasure troves of older vintages and special editions at competitive prices. Check out both traditional auction houses and online platforms.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to find wines with aging potential. Look for bottles with high acidity and tannins from lesser-known regions.
As an author specializing in Mexican wines, I always encourage you to explore this fascinating world. Currently, I am experimenting with aging Nebbiolos from Baja California, as there is limited information on the aging of Mexican wines. I’m also considering venturing into aging wines from Albania, as there’s not much knowledge available in that area either.
Importantly, these experiments do not require a large budget and can lead to a rewarding experience. In this regard, I suggest trying to age Torrontés from Argentina, as there is little information on how this grape can evolve. During my last tasting with Susana Balbo, she was experimenting with aging some Torrontés, observing how the acidity remained while gaining more character.
Overall, tasting a series of wines or aging something you may not have considered before can be a fun and educational experience.
Keeping track of your wines is crucial, especially for long-term aging. Digital cellar apps allow you to catalog your bottles, monitor their aging progress, and even receive drinking recommendations.
Building your wine cellar is a journey, not a race. With thoughtful planning, smart buying, and a dash of passion, you can create a collection that brings you joy for years to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Martha Cisneros Paja is a wine educator, founder of Latinas Wine Club Inc. and author of Mexican Wines: A guide to Fall in Love with Wines of Mexico . Read more about one of the most hard-working Latinas in Wine here.
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