The really big collectors
Wine is a thing of passion for many of us and a thing of a whole lot of passion for a few of us, and many times those who are most passionate about wine spend a fair amount of time and capital putting together really big wine collections. Most collectors will focus their efforts, and wisely so, on a varietal or appellation or handful of producers they are very fond of. They may have a few outliers in their collection, but the best constructed "cellars" are very focused.
We know some of these folks as customers since we sell the product that helps them build their collection and others we know as friends with whom we share wine geek conversations, and of course some are both. Spending time with really big collectors of wine is a great benefit and learning opportunity for us and can be for all wine consumers, but what can be even more fun is sharing some of our more pedestrian choices in wine with collectors, and from time to time surprising them with a lesser-known and sometimes compellingly priced gem.
Having dinner or meeting for a glass of wine with collectors of note almost always presents this opportunity to try to learn about higher-end bottlings. We find that most of them prefer to bring their wine not only because they enjoy it so much themselves, but most want to share with friends, allowing them to fully enjoy the time and money they have put into their hobby. We have been fortunate to be around folks who readily share with us and others, everything from the best vintage Champagne, to some of the biggest name Napa Valley Cabernets, to some astonishingly good red Burgundy and many other varietals, too.
These wines many times are so good they defy the everyday descriptors and as you savor the wines, you are left with the most basic evaluation of "that is really delicious." If given time, though, consumers can start to identify flavors and aromas they can then look for in bottles they consume on their own.
When the tables are turned and we are entertaining collectors of note, one of the most enjoyable exercises is to find wines that come from the same appellation or are made from the same varietal that they routinely collect that are different than the names they have in their cellar. One of our friends and dining mates is a huge collector of red and white Burgundy, which for the red is Pinot Noir and for the white is 90 percent of the time Chardonnay. This summer, it has been rewarding to turn him on to a bottling from the Bouzeron appellation in Burgundy produced by Villaine. It is one of the few white Burgundies that is not Chardonnay, it is Aligote, and he has loved the wine and found the price compelling.
This same friend has thousands of bottles of Gran Cru red Burgundy in vertical, dating back decades. While these wines are fabulous, they are not what one would pull out on a Tuesday night. This summer, we have persuaded him to try some of our vintage Beaujolais which, while not inexpensive, they are more value-priced than bottles in his collection. Despite the varietal difference, he has really enjoyed them and the process of learning about a new grape.
Similar alternatives exist for wines from the best regions, varietals and producers around the globe. One of our customers was in the shop this week, gathering some wine for a visit from a friend of his who is a big collector. While we were selecting wine for the dinner, he said to me, "It is not about competing with his collection because I can't." He captured our sentiments exactly. It is far more fun to find wines that will be pleasing to our collector friends but are different and at times more affordable than their big name items.
For wine consumers, the best way to find wines that will please your really big collector friends is to first, get the basic information of what they collect - either region, grape varietal or producer. Then, talk to your favorite wine professional or stop by the shop to learn about the closest substitutions that are in your budget - trust me, they do exist. Then when time comes for your gathering, relax and enjoy the wine tasting experience. Your well-researched alternatives will be fun to taste without ever having to bring up price and your collector friends, as most collectors do, will appreciate the effort and will likely enjoy trying something new. You will also have the benefit of tasting their favorites side by side with your selections.
If there is a topic you would like to read about, or questions on wine, you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.
George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party, a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo and is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine (www.cdamagazine.com). You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.