My new "collection?"

Depends how you look at it. Been wanting to do this for a long time, never really had the room or time. I finally decided to hire my buddy to build me a small area in the unfinished part of my basement to take on this new collection...

Wine. Yup, learning how it tastes, different vines, regions etc. If you think computers are complicated, try learning about wines. Downside is that every 4-6 years I will drink my collection, however storing it until its perfect and enjoying it is well worth it. I know some people collect and profit, but not me. Always wanted to learn it, but its such a big undertaking I needed to square up some things in life first.

Anyhow, we went to Lowes and bought a 4 foot bathroom vanity and top, framed it all up, made an area for my frig and wine cooler, then ordered a 126 bottle rack (glasses and rack too) from Wine Enthusiast. Couple of small spot lights over the sink. Looking for a mirror for the wall now and have a wine glass rack for over sink on the way. We changed a ceiling light that shined in the area to spotlights to drive the light away from this area and at end added a piece of luan to the wine rack to shelter it from the light even though its usually dark there. Bought a wall divider and that actually hides the hot water heater and sump pump, etc. Pretty neat. It is 68 degrees in there, 70 degrees is considered the highest temperature you want, i have 36% humidity with most saying 35% is just right. Should work well.

I had a total, but I think in the end, we spent about 2,500 on the entire setup minus the fridges you see. That includes contractor and plumber to run water to the sink and drain it. Seems like a lot, but if I ever fill it, 126 bottles will cost way more. Basically, I find a wine I like, then buy 2 bottles and store one. I also read the magazines who focus on quality, reasonably priced wines, usually the 10-20 dollar stuff.

Got to resize a pic to upload, will do that later.

 

Mostly reds, i keep a few whites for guests. So far I have many blends from many countries so if its red at some point, I will have it. Heres the completed home project...

 

Nice MA. We have the racks in our cellar.

Just be careful...it's addictive. Before you notice, you have gotten a case here and a case there, and next thing you know you are filling that thing. Even an inexpensive bottle adds up when you buy a bunch. :-D

 

Suprising, a few of us here I had my wife talked into converting the excercise room, but the cost would cut into buying the wine, so that works. I like some expensive wines too, thats one reason for the rack, to age cheaper bottles to get what would be a more expensive wine otherwise. Did buy a 65 dollar French wine last night for a special occasion.

 

Yes it does, 12 bottles cost me 250 last night

 

We have a wine broker that is a good salesman. I wish I had an email of his to show how he describes some of the wines. lol Problem is he ships by the case.

Most of them have been good that he's suggested. Only one was a real dog. That was our 'gift' wine for a while. LOL

 

Yeah, I like to have a huge collection since I tend to love dar red wines regardless. This run I got some old vines, gnarly vines and at least 8-10 countries covered. I tend to swap from favorite to favorite, used to be Chianti, then Port, now it is Pinot Noir.

Wine glass rack came in, awesome!

 

A couple good ones:

Good Italian blend and inexpensive: Modus Ruffino
Awesome (expensive) Merlot & Pinot Noir (owned by the Silver Oaks people): Twomey

 

My kind of collection, although cannot show you mine as I drank it!

But do love reds and whites, mostly the dry end of the scale, Whites are generally Chardonneys from South Africa, Chile (at present have some nice ones) and Italy for its Pinot Gregio's, Reds are generally Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir again from South Africa, Australia, Chile and the odd Californian.

 

lol...I'll try to take a couple later on.

 

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/laurar67/IMG_2189.jpg

All the empty cases LOL

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/laurar67/IMG_2186.jpg


Built in in the kitchen:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc101/laurar67/IMG_2184.jpg

 

I'll be right over, Laura! .....LOL :drink

 

Hop on the plane and come on by! I'll open one of the good ones. :-D

 

Aww you're very kind...and although not usually one to drink too much..I do indeed like to indulge (when finances allow) in a half bottle of muscat by the brown brothers...it's Australian and soooooOoo :drool:drool:drool

*boards a plane and grabs a glass* see you soon :wave LOL

 

@ Halo, yeah trying to not drink it all was really hard.

@Laura, we have the exact same Swedish rack, eh?

 

Looks like it, doesn't it. It works for holding those bottles, that's all I know.

 

Me too, one misconception is wine drinkers are snobby people. Actually they are like geeks hobby wise. Lot to learn and I got a long way to go. I also mentioned to someone how pleased I was that a few others here share my passion for wine, although I do have a soft spot for getting plowed on Irish whiskey too

@Fred, i do like Pinot Noir. There are, I think I mentioned earlier, 2 camps on collecting or drinking. Those who age and drink and those who age and profit. Me, I dont see how you can learn all there is to know about wine and age it for profit. Seems to me, personally, that if you spend the time learning all their is about wine, then how can you age and not drink it?

Its a crazy hobby!

 

Yes, but if you like a thick red, people often overlook Port. Its considered a "desert wine". I describe it as Nyquil texture with a red licorice taste. Yummy. Not for whole bottle drinking.

 

They interviewed Sammy Hagar in Wine Enthusiast lately and he made Port sound so good, I had to try it. Yummy.

 

lmao....nope, I hadn't noticed that. Weird. I guess I pushed the wrong button when I was trying to rotate. :-D



Part of the problem with buying good wines is that when you run out of the everyday stuff, there's the good stuff for the taking. LOL

We try to save the expensive bottles for dinner out at a restaurant, people over, or special occasion. Doesn't always work that way.

 

Have to agree, these days wine is for all and even some really good ones are more affordable as we are drinking more than we used too over beers and spirits, actually like your reference to "wine geeks" a good observation.

I went off beer years ago and drink mainly wine, although I still drink a few beers, mainly Peroni, Sapporo, Corona and Cusquena, also have a fondness for JackD and Wild Turkey, some of the irish whiskeys are nice (Jamesons and Green Spot), but not a great scotch drinker.

Port I dont mind a nice warming drink to relax with, Taylors is nice one to try.

Yummy! :yum remember one year my mum as she used to make her own, thought that no brandy had been added to the cake (part of recipe for xmas cake in some parts of UK is mix brandy with the fruit) but my dad had already put some in, needless to say add the boozed cake and a glass of port to go with it, many where tipsy that year.

 

Went shopping yesterday after work to stock up on xmas drink and beat the mad queues and rush next week in the shops, local supermarket has offer of 3 bottles of selected wines for £10 and many bottles are from 4.60 to 7.00 each, so not a bad deal, I have had Arniston Bay (South African) wines before, but not this one, very tasty red, their Reserve collection wines are really good if you come across one try it out.

http://www.arniston-bay.com/

 

Oh went down fine, had that one lastnight and have another 5 bottles of it left!

Was ASDA this time on the offer, not noticed the Tescos one but all supermarkets in UK are having a bit of a price war, so great for consumers.

 

Yay on holiday shopping for wine! LOL


We just grabbed a couple of cases. One mixed and one of a merlot we get by the case when it's in stock. The guy asked my husband if he was a distributor...whatever that means. :-D

 

bwahahaha...would have been a good response.

Instead, it went

Husband: do I get a discount if I am?
Guy: No.
Husband: Then, nope.
Guy: What are you gonna do with all of it.rolleyes
Husband: Um, drink it? lol

 

Awesome, send a pic when you can. I have a small wine frig (lower right of my pictures) but had it for years. After Xmas, ill post updated pics of the rack, I have a couple shelfs filled now.

 

*fixing the crick in my neck from having to tilt it* :-D

Nice Fred...now he needs a friend or 2. LOL

 

Good stuff

 

Im with you. Ive bought some expensive bottles, but if I do this right, my collection mainly consist of $20 dollar bottles so far. Most of the 40+ bottles are olredy 2003 or older so usually ready to drink. This way, I can enjoy trying them without paying 2,3,4,5 or 10 times their current price. Its the waiting that sucks. I added a few more bottles today meaning at 20 bucks my collection is mainly 2006-07 right now, at least for aging You can check trends, the current places producing great wine right now is Chilie, Argentina and South Africa. If you want to store a few, look for those!