Creating your own collection

For most wine consumers, as they move beyond their introductory phase with wine and really start to embrace and explore all the possibilities, we start to think about keeping some bottles on hand. We want to be able to have some of our favorites around, and not have to make a trip to the wine shop because we have nothing for tonight. So how do you start to put that collection together? And more importantly, as the collection grows, how do we manage the inventory?

Your first task is to realistically consider your consumption patterns. How many bottles do you consume in a week? How are they split between white, red and rose? When are the times when we might consume more because of special occasions, or if friends and family are visiting?

The next big question is budget. How much can I devote each month to building my inventory, so that I have reliable go-to bottles for any occasion? Also consider what you are comfortable spending on a bottle that you will drink on any given Tuesday, versus something you would have on the weekend or a special occasion. Think about your upper limit, when you would say, "If I drink a bottle that costs that I am going to regret it or feel guilty." That is the price point where you should have no bottles. What is the point? After all, wine is meant to be enjoyed, not stared at. It is hard at times, but resist the urge to buy just one really expensive bottle that you will save for just that special occasion. More often than not it will sit in the collection and reach a point where it is no longer drinkable. All wine, regardless of lineage, has a point where it fades.

Once you have your consumption pattern set, you should update it at least annually. Assess whether you are drinking the same, more, or less than what you anticipated. Reset your budget after you update the consumption side of the equation. This is more vital when you find that you are consuming less than you thought. Regardless of the reason for the reduction, when it drops, bottles get lost in your storage, at times tragically past their prime, when they no longer taste good to you.

Another consideration is your own personality. As objectively as you can, look at whether you like to try new things all the time, or if you like to go back to the same favorites. We all find bottles we fall in love with, there are some I still enjoy that date back to my earliest days of appreciating wine. As we move on and our palate matures though, we return to those standbys less frequently, therefore they should take up fewer spots in our collection.

Now that you have budgets set both for consumption and spending, it's time for the best part! Trying and buying! Resist the urge to fill the collection quickly; you will get better and more satisfying results if you approach it opportunistically. Use the bell curve approach, concentrating your collection in the color, varietals and price points you will enjoy drinking most. It will be one of the hardest things to do, but try to have at least some small representation in many styles. Your guests will not always appreciate the exact things you do, and it will be good to have some of those on hand and not be scrambling to find a suitable wine when friends with varied tastes arrive. Attend tastings, and when you are up for it, order something you might not normally order by the glass when out to dinner. It will keep your palate and collection vibrant.

Join a wine club that not only pleases and agrees with your palate with many of their choices, but one that also challenges you at times. The goal of a wine club is to introduce you to new and varied colors, varietals and styles of wine that helps you find your new favorites, satisfies your existing tastes, and helps cement your thoughts about which wines are best for you. Most wine clubs make a point of stocking sufficient quantities of their selections so club members can come back and get more of a wine, which is a great way to build your "stash."

One final note, go back through your collection at least annually and physically look at the bottles to make sure you haven't missed some. There is no worse feeling than to find an old favorite languishing to the point of undrinkability and regretting the missed opportunity.

All wine professionals can provide helpful advice on building a collection that is right for you and won't break the budget, so stop by the shop or ask your favorite wine person about getting started on your collection.

If there is a topic you would like to read about, or if you have 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 tabletop decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George has also worked as a judge in many wine competitions; his articles are published around the country, and he 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: www.facebook.com/#/dinnerpartyshop.