When did it all begin? For many of us it was not a conscious decision, but developed over time. Perhaps it began when we replaced keg parties at college with wine and cheese parties after graduation. We may have splurged  on a bottle that cost over ten dollars - how extravagant! We don't remember the name of the wine but it was Chateau something and at least older than 5 years. It went into" proper storage" above the refrigerator and because it was a collectible and we only had one bottle, no occasion ever warranted its opening.. Hence, our collecting began.

There are a number of reasons why we collect. Some for the lure of profit, some for the power of possession, some for the passion of drinking  fine wine. Sometimes it marks a special year or occasion. The other day I was speaking with a friend who loves to collect and is heavy on 1990 Bordeaux. Why? It was the year their baby girl was born. They certainly planned that well. It was just a pity their son couldn't hold off a few months until 1995. You can't win them all.....

In our newsletter this month, we would like to address wine collecting from a broad stand point and in succeeding months take each specific point in detail. This is such an important subject because if  acquired wisely and maintained well, our collection will be enjoyed now and be rewarding in the years to come. We spend money on the collection and storage. We sacrifice space in our home. We give our time to acquire and maintain the collection. If we are not collecting and storing wisely, we may as well buy the bottle on the day of the party.

We don't believe in textbook collecting. Each collection is unique to yourself, reflecting your individual interests, eclectic tastes and personal passion. There are, however, some things to keep in mind for our collection to be all we want it to be.

* Over all condition of cellar and collection
* Fill levels, labels, and cork conditions
* Vintages, drinkability, and expiration of wines
* Ratings 
* Provenance of wines
* Cellar organization
* Record taking, keeping, and maintaining
* Collection diversification and continued knowledge

By balancing these points you are well on your way to having that perfect collection we dream about. I might also add that the list above may look a bit daunting but like anything, if it was too easy everyone would be doing it. Fine wine is an investment and like any  investment, it takes education, research, organization, and diversification. Your wine collection is a living thing and every bottle continues to change, for better or worse. As a collection it needs your care and attention.

For example, in our business we find ourselves in many wine cellars. One client was interested in selling off his collection of some 25 years. As I looked through the cellar there were definitely great wines but also were a number of wines that were hidden  away and past their peak. The seller would prefer what is called, one money takes all, but sadly, the buyer will cherry pick only the best wines. I have also seen this in the case of restaurants where a lost case of Bordeaux pops up, but only 5 -10 years too late. Without cellar management and organization, we devalue our fine wine collection because in fact the value is made of all the wines combined, not just the ones shown off  in the specially designed display racks.

Another example of the need for collection management is for the type of wines we collect. It is true that we all have favorites, but diversification allows us to experience great wines from around the world and also adds to the overall interest in our cellar. This can be a challenge since even exploring one region of the world can be all consuming. Yet when we look beyond the obvious and current trends we can really make some fascinating discoveries that keep our collection interesting and may turn our to be  real jewels in our collection. Just remember, someone had to be the first to start collecting Screaming Eagle.

Few rewards match that of  opening a wonderful  bottle of wine with friends that was not accidentally, but  meticulously planned for years before hand. When that first sip is everything you thought and imagined it should be, you then experience the rewards of fine wine collecting. 

Next month we will discuss the first of our main points--- Overall condition of cellar and collection. To learn more about cellar management and cellar design visit our  website. You can also email us any questions you may have.

Charitable Donations?

Are you looking for a worthwhile charity in which to donate this year? The Widows' and Children's  Fund of the Detectives' Endowment Assn., Inc. holds fundraisers throughout the year for the benefit of spouses and children of New York City police detectives. A charitable contribution, of say, a special bottle of wine or even a case of wine will receive a receipt of donation for the fair market value and can be used as a tax deduction. Donations will then be raffled off to raise money at these fundraisers. To make a donation or for more information you can either contact the NYC Detectives' Endowment Assn. directly or click here to send us an email. We thank the NYC police for their hard work.

Great Reading

A friend of ours recently gave us the book-- Wine and War. If you love wine and are a history buff, you will love this book. It takes you back to Europe during the Nazi occupation and how art work was not the only thing stolen. It is a great opportunity to learn about the people behind the wines that we know so well. It will really heighten your appreciation for these wines and the families that make them. Follow this link for more information on this great reading. 

Wines

Are you finding it difficult or impossible to find 1997 Brunellos? What about 1995 Cristal Roederer at a decent price? If so, contact us for more information. 

Have a great month of November and please send us your comments or suggestions.