← Back to Guides

How to Start Collecting Wine

Building a cellar is about more than just buying bottles. It is about curating history, flavor, and future value. Whether for pleasure or profit, every serious collection starts with the same fundamentals.

Luxury wine cellar with wooden racks

1. The Golden Rule: Provenance

In the world of fine wine, Provenance is King. It refers to the documented history of a bottle's life—from the winery to your hands.

  • Why it matters: A ’82 Château Margaux stored in a hot garage is vinegar. The same bottle stored at 55°F is nectar.
  • What to look for: Buy from reputable merchants who can guarantee "cold chain" shipping. Avoid auctions with vague "found in grandpa's attic" descriptions.

2. Perfect Storage Conditions

Wine is a living organism. To age gracefully, it needs stability.

Temperature

Target: 12-14°C (55°F).
Consistency: Fluctuations are the enemy. They cause the cork to expand/contract, letting in oxygen.

Humidity

Target: 70%.
Why: Keeps the cork moist. Dry corks shrink and crumble (< 50%). Too humid (> 80%) risks mold on labels.

Darkness

UV rays degrade wine (lightstrike). Store in a dark room or use UV-tinted glass doors.

Vibration

Keep away from washing machines or heavy foot traffic. Vibration disturbs sediment and speeds up chemical aging negatively.

3. Investment vs. Drinking

Decide early: Are you a Drinker, an Investor, or both?

Investment Grade Wines (Blue Chips)

These wines historically appreciate in value. They represent the top 1% of production.

  • Bordeaux: First Growths (Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Mouton).
  • Burgundy: Grand Crus (DRC, Leroy, Rousseau). Extreme scarcity drives price.
  • Napa: Cult Cabernets (Screaming Eagle, Harlan).
  • Italy: Super Tuscans (Sassicaia, Masseto) and Barolo.

The "Drinker's" Collection

Focus on regions that offer value and ageability but aren't overpriced brands.

  • Rioja Gran Reserva: Ages for decades, affordable.
  • German Riesling: Specifically Spätlese/Auslese. Immortal wines.
  • Vintage Port: The longest-lived wine on earth.

4. Tools of the Trade

You cannot manage what you do not measure.

  • CellarTrackerThe gold standard community app for inventory management and tasting notes.
  • Wine-Searcher ProEssential for checking fair market value before you buy.
  • CoravinAllows you to sample a bottle without pulling the cork. A game changer for collectors.
Insurance Tip: Most homeowners insurance does not cover wine collections properly. Get a standalone policy from a specialist like Chubb or AIG if your collection exceeds $10,000.

Start Building Today

The best time to plant a vineyard was 20 years ago. The best time to start a collection is today. Start small, buy what you love, and protect it well.