Wine Collecting?

I had thought there was a thread about this on the old site, but I couldn't find what I was looking for...

I'm curious about how to start collecting wine. I realize that I don't have a serious enough budget to make major investments, and that I'm not going to retire on a few bottles. But I'd like to start keeping some wines to hold on to for awhile (and honestly, I love the wheeling and dealing aspect of things).

What kinds of things do you look for in a wine to hold?
Where do you get your info from as to what to get?
What publications/books are you reading?
And, how do you sell your wine? (Auction, private, etc)

Also, is anybody in to buying and holding Tequilas? That is something else that I am very interested in.

We do not have proper storage set up yet, but that will be coming soon with some of the condo projects we are doing. I thought I would use the time I have until then to start learning.

~Chris

 

I don't know anything about wine collecting, but I do know if you ever see a liquor store going out of business, stop by. I've made it to 2 different going out of business sales, one place was 75% off the other was 50% off. I'm sure if you knew what to look for you could stock up for a lot less cash.

 

Wine Spectator magazine or website is a great place to start. Find a store that gives case discounts. Go to Barnes and Noble and look at the wine section for buying guides and books on collecting.

Most stores post a rating like in the mid to high 90's for each wine. Ask an employee at the store for advice or even a tasting.

Look at regions - Napa, Sonoma, German, Australian, and try to find something you like. I always buy one bottle of an unknown each visit, and have had a few successes. Even if a wine does not have a high rating or a lot of awards, if you like it, it is a good wine. Ask the employee if a particular wine has a good history and how long it will keep. Some wineries have websites also. Even Ebay is a good source to see prices over time and staying power.

Right now I am biased and have been buying Andretti wine, since it is good, affordable, and I like the Mario Andretti linkage. Not going to make me any money, but popular at Ferrari events.

 

My uncle is a serious wine collector with over $500,000 worth of wine in his cellar. Every year he buys cases of the big six Bordeauxs: Chateau Margeaux, Haut-Brion, Lafite, Cheval Blanc, Latour, and Mouton. He purchases many other wines in addition to those six; however, those are the ones he purchases without fail. I guess buying them every year is a big gamble as not every year is like an '82, but you do get lucky.

As for selling: he usually sells his wine through private ads. More often than not he gets a collector that will have, for example, all Chauteau Margeaux's except for 1986, and, naturally, this collector wants to complete the set, so he will pay whatever it takes to get the case.

 

How about:

1. My wine collecting is much like my car collecting…….for personal enjoyment, not for profit. So, don’t “collect” any wines that you wouldn’t really want to drink yourself.
2. I buy from retailers like The Wine Club www.thewineclub.com and K&L Wines www.klwines.com
3. I also buy a great deal of more obscure and rare wines over Wine Bid www.winebid.com
4. I’m mostly “collecting” 1994 and 1997 California Cabs, and 2000 Bordeaux
5. 1986 was one of my favorite years for Bordeaux
6. I’m a real nut for Ch. d’Yquem

 

While i do not drink alcohol, have been slowly collection various vintages/types for guests. Recent acquisition was fairly standard (two cases of 1995 Dom). Fchatters who came here for various parties have enjoyed the fruits of my labor (pun intended).





Enjoy The Wine,

Steven R. Rochlin

 

Do you want to COLLECT wine or TRADE wine? Big difference. If you want to collect, find wine you like and buy it. If you like it a lot, buy a lot. If you want to trade, find out what other people like and buy it. Keep it for a few years, then sell.

I collect, I don't trade.
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Jim, still love your collection... even if 9 bottles are missing!

 

Bethany made it up but I don't know how!

 

Funny, my wife was pretty lethargic too. I wonder if it was a virus?

I'm surprised either of your wives made it down the stairs.

 

LMAO! I forgot about that. YUCK!!!

 

Jimpo1,

Thanks for your reply. "Collect" was probably the wrong word. (Scratching head) Am more a gatherer of finer things so guests, or myself, can enjoy. Have not drank alcohol (or done drugs) for over 15 years, yet there is no reason why my friends, neighbors, and of course guests can not enjoy a complimentary beverage as i HIGHLY enjoy cooking. So guess i shall never know what anything inside these bottles tastes like, yet those who have enjoyed appear to be very pleased.

Fchatters who have visited seemed to be very happy

Now if we are to discuss my personal joy of consuming cigars, espresso, and personally prepared meals...

Enjoy Life,

Steven R. Rochlin

 

Sad thing was, I think she enjoyed it!

 

Sorry Steven, my diatribe was directed at prohydro! You're neither a collector or a trader, simply an excellent host.

 

The monthly Wine Spectator is good and Robert Parker's Bi-monthly publication, Wine Advocate is outstanding...he also has www.erobertparker.com

If you get a chance...p/u the last Wine Advocate...Parker rips Opus One a new one...entertaining.

Typically, collectors break their wine into three tiers:

1. The higher end collectible wine that has ageability...Included in this is a couple of very special cases that I have for the vintage my daughter and son were born...I plan on breaking them out for their rehearsal dinner some day.

2. Special wines that I would drink on unique ocassions or special dinners out, etc....

3. Everyday drinking wines...I drink wine everyday...about 10PM I have a glass or 2 in my office...sort of way a way to oreward myself for working my nuts off. Everyday wines are alot of fun...finding the diamonds in the ruff...the big bang for the buck wines...you will find that there are some unbelievable values out there...in every region and grape variety.

All the best!

TTG

 

Thanks for all of the good info you guys have been giving me. I guess I'm trying to toe the line a bit. We love drinking wine, and have always picked up bottles from all kinds of wineries. However, I'd like to start obtaining some to save that can be used for special occasions, and maybe to make a few $$$ on. Kind of like our art...we buy pictures and paintings that we love and hang in our home. However, occasionally we pick up some that turn a decent profit. My favorite was picking up 5 oils for $5 each at an estate auction one night. Nobody was bidding, so I bought them. My wife was pissed, she just kept saying "Where are we going to put those, they are so ugly!" She had something else to say when I sold them on Ebay for an average of $80 each. Not a huge score, but it was fun because of the "I told you so" factor!

 

Jimpo1,

A most humble thanks my friend... and that is what a few Fchatters have said who enjoyed our little get togethers. Just like to be a gracious host and provide a comfortable place for my family/friends/myself.

Photo below is from Fchat meeting here in October.

Enjoy the Drive,

Steven R. Rochlin