William Shakespeare wrote, “ To be or not to be, that is the question.” If he had been born in the last 50 years it may have been “To cellar or not to cellar – there is no question!”

Why? Because there is (almost) no better feeling then pulling a cork from an aged bottle of wine that you have been lovingly keeping.

But if it’s so easy then why don’t all wine lovers cellar wines? The two major reasons are cost and storage issues. In terms of cost, quality wine is going up all the time and will continue to do so; there is no time like the present to buy. Just look at the Bin 389 for example, the 98 vintage is up about 20%.

Buying in dozen lots isn’t necessary. Six is a great number, it allows diversity and enables you to check the wine’s progress. There is nothing wrong with even buying three bottles of your favorite wine, or even one bottle for that matter. The point is to make a start, it doesn’t matter how small, a start is a start.

In terms of storage, there is no cause for concern, you don’t need an insulated air conditioned cellar, anyone can cellar wine. Most quality Oz red wine peak at between 6-10 years of age, and more importantly it’s a lot more robust and forgiving then most people think. If you were storing Grange at $350 a bottle for 20 years then storage is more important, but if it’s a bottle of Bin 128 for 5 years, conditions aren’t so critical.

Rapid and large temperature fluctuations are the enemies of wine storage, but the problem can be minimised easily, inexpensively and simply. For example, styro broccoli boxes are a great insulator and are normally available free from fruit shops. Storage of these boxes in the bottom of cupboards in rooms that have the lowest temperature fluctuations can work. A lock up garage can sometimes also provide acceptable storage. Under a flight of stairs is a good spot. Places to avoid are the laundry, above kitchen cupboards, west facing rooms etc. There are many inventive solutions that whilst not perfect, work well for most peoples. If you want advice why not try the best Australian Wine Discussion Forum, Auswine located at http://www.auswine.com.au/forum/index.html. The contributors to that forum have a wealth of experience and are happy to share it.

The budget can also be a constraint, but remember a cellar can be as little as one styro box of wine. You can buy one bottle at a time, or a six pack, it doesn’t matter how much or how little, but once its in the cellar, leave it there! Resist temptation. When friends are round for dinner and have had a few, don’t, repeat, don’t raid your precious stash of wine. Leave it there to do its job, you will love it all the more when it’s a bit older and you are a bit more sober.

It’s a great feeling to drink a bottle of gloriously mature wine and even better when it cost you $15 five years ago and the current vintage is $45. Time to go raid the cellar, all this typing has given me a thirst.

Cheers

Ric