Collecting vs Consuming

[Diddy]

As I come to grips with my new wine obsession (and my wife), I've got another question that I'll throw out to all of you.

It seems like an obvious question given we're talking about wine, but the more I reflect on my own behaviour, the less certain I am of the answer.

When it comes to wine, do you derive your enjoyment out of collecting or consuming or a combination of both?

By collecting I mean the thrill of reading reviews, blogs, forums, researching, tracking down bargains, bidding at auctions, loading your purchases into Cellartracker etc.

Or is it the moment of consumption that is really rewarding?

Perhaps it's because my collection is young and I really haven't started to enjoy the fruits of my hard work as yet, but I find I enjoy the collecting more than anything (at this point in time).

Don't get me wrong, I still love enjoying a nice drop, but the real thrill comes from the hunt.

I'm sure the balance will change a few years down the line (it better)!

What are you thoughts or experiences?

[sjw_11]

I have to admit I enjoy collecting... but I dont really collect it the way I used to collect say stamps or basketball cards when I was a kid. I mean, I try and build a few verticals and things but I am not slavish about it. Mostly I try and build up a varied and diverse cellar with a mix of mid and long-term cellaring and a range of regions and varietals (though still too much Oz due to the tax regime and freight costs).

My cellar now dates back 10-yrs though the bulk would be bought in the last 3-4yrs as my purchasing has ramped way up, and it is a real thrill to pull out something you have personally kept for so long. But I find I am less inclined to share with others and it is a real sadness when something is then corked (as a St Hugo was in February, that was a 2004 xmas present).

600 bottles and counting....

[Dan]

I collect to consume, not to sell.

I love tracking down a special bottle or buying on release to save for a special occasion.
A little way back it took me almost 2yrs to find a 1980 Petaluma Riesling. But boy was it worth it ( and god bless the man who sold it to me).

I guess what I enjoy most is drinking a great bottle that you have put some effort into maturing or finding.

And remember, don't save a wine for a special occasion that will never come. Create an occasion to drink it!

[ticklenow1]

I have to admit I enjoy collecting... but I dont really collect it the way I used to collect say stamps or basketball cards when I was a kid. I mean, I try and build a few verticals and things but I am not slavish about it. Mostly I try and build up a varied and diverse cellar with a mix of mid and long-term cellaring and a range of regions and varietals (though still too much Oz due to the tax regime and freight costs).

My cellar now dates back 10-yrs though the bulk would be bought in the last 3-4yrs as my purchasing has ramped way up, and it is a real thrill to pull out something you have personally kept for so long. But I find I am less inclined to share with others and it is a real sadness when something is then corked (as a St Hugo was in February, that was a 2004 xmas present).

600 bottles and counting....

Couldn't have put it better myself, except that I love sharing with others. Sometimes wine is just as much a sense of occasion.

Drinking that bottle that you've had for years and it blows you away with how good it is, well that makes it all worth it. I've never sold a bottle at auction and I've got a lot smarter with what I buy the last few years. If the wine doesn't have the ability to age well, then I rarely buy. I've had too many good aged bottles to drink anything else now.

1200 bottles and counting....and an unhappy wife

[Mike Hawkins]

I have to admit I enjoy collecting... but I dont really collect it the way I used to collect say stamps or basketball cards when I was a kid. I mean, I try and build a few verticals and things but I am not slavish about it. Mostly I try and build up a varied and diverse cellar with a mix of mid and long-term cellaring and a range of regions and varietals (though still too much Oz due to the tax regime and freight costs).

My cellar now dates back 10-yrs though the bulk would be bought in the last 3-4yrs as my purchasing has ramped way up, and it is a real thrill to pull out something you have personally kept for so long. But I find I am less inclined to share with others and it is a real sadness when something is then corked (as a St Hugo was in February, that was a 2004 xmas present).

600 bottles and counting....

Couldn't have put it better myself, except that I love sharing with others.

I'm in the same boat - I really only open wine with company (unless its something really good and I'm feeling selfish)

[sjw_11]

Ok I was kind of kidding about the preferring to keep it to myself thing!
I do normally play nice and share haha

[Mahmoud Ali]

I enjoy both, the collecting and the drinking, though as my collection gets larger I have less and less reason to hunt. Also, as I get older there is less reason to collect wines that require a long time in the cellar. If there is one piece of advice I can give to people who are starting to collect is not to neglect the big wines that require a long time to age.

However, a bargain, and believe me they do come around, is always hard to resist. And so, the collecting continues.

Cheers.......................Mahmoud.

[Michael McNally]

I have realised recently that a lot of what I buy is for collection rather than consumption. However, what I really want to do is try lots of different wines and appreciate them and sometimes take/post a note about them. My collecting is driven by the hope that I will be able to watch wines mature and appreciate them at their different stages and the fear that I will find something that is super good and it will be the only/last bottle I have.

I am working against this anxiety by not buying more than three of most wines and only six of true genius, bargain, favourites or wines that I am certain I will be able to drink over a decade or more. Despite the ridiculous prices out there for good wines I doubt I will ever buy a dozen of the same wine again (unless they are 375ml bottles for mid-week consumption).

I started collecting seriously about 8 years ago and am now ready to crack my first 2006s of wines like Wynns Black Label and WDCE Sringflat Shiraz and drink them over the next 6-10 years (maybe longer with the Springflats).

It's a complicated business and there are no right answers

700 bottles in the cellar are a testament to my passion and weakness for a bargain!

Cheers

Michael

[Mahmoud Ali]

Michael,

I'm firmly in your side of the court on this one - a few bottles and almost never a case - but stocking up on the absolute bargain. Interesting that you brought up the Wynn's - it aptly describes what I go through. Aged Cabernet is something I like so I have mostly given up on buying and cellaring more recent vintages. I stopped looking at Wynn's at the 2001 vintage, having the '96, '97 and '98 in the cellar. Then, a few years ago I came across three bottles of the Wynn's '05 for C$13.50 - there was no way i could leave those on the shelf - bargain fever strike again!

And so it goes..................Mahmoud.

[GraemeG]

Any joy derived from 'collecting' is really just a manfestation of the anticipation of drinking it.
The notion of finding a bottle to complete a vertical (for example) and deriving satisfaction from owning the vertical is foreign to me.

If I somehow came into possession of one of those verticals of Grange 1951-2008 or something, it would either be sold for a profit, or drunk on some organised highlight occasion.
Just having it sit around as a collectible doesn't work for me.

You want collectible? Try the magnificent products from, say, the Franklin Mint. You and your children can treasure those for years to come while you drink your wine.
GG

[JDSJDS]

Yes, it comes as bit of a shock to see how the collecting/hunting part may be even more important than the drinking part of the equation. I didn't really realize that until a few years after I started collecting. And as others have mentioned, the thrill of the bargain - very difficult in Canada - is particularly exciting. While sharing your bottles with like minded individuals is a great thing, as is bringing out a perfectly aged wine from your cellar, the 'hunting' part is still maybe the most satisfying. As Motorhead stated, 'the chase is better than the catch'?!

[phillisc]

This is a really interesting one.
With some 250 dozen or so in the cellar and a modest collection in the wine rack at home, I think it is important to keep things ticking over.
However, with the constant financial pressures of school fees, house renos etc...I feel that I have reached my peak in terms of sheer numbers and VFM. I could not in a million years afford to buy what i have now, nor could I buy in quantities that I did 10+ years ago. The stock I have is probably enough, but really can you ever have too much wine??

I think at nearly 50 it is very much a question of pacing yourself....don't want to get to 55 with only a dozen left.....don't want to be 80 with enough to have a bath in!!

Cheers Craig.

[rens]

I'm in the collecting to consume camp.
There is noting better than bringing out a bottle that you have nurtured from the shelves of a retailer, to the cellar and then the kitchen bench. Opening it and finding a gem. I especially like to do it when I am surrounded by others who appreciate wine (such as an offline).
I have sent some to Auction. Mostly 'Parker' style wines that I no longer care for. Subtle seduction it my current bent.
Those I have sent to auction achieved a good price (thanks Mark) and the cash was used to buy more wines of the style I enjoy now.
In the latter half of last year I had around 450 wines and had run out of space. Being to tight to get more storage space, I decided to drink a few of the less expensive wines. I took 5 dozen bottles out and have been drinking those and have about a dozen to go before they are finished. Now I am sitting under 400 bottles, I will slowly work my way to 450 again and at that point fork out some more money for storage (maybe).

[Redwine&Rum]

I am first an foremost a Bundaberg rum collector with well over 200 bottles in the collection. Because spirits can last and last forever, its a bit different than collecting wine, which all at some point in time lose their drinkability. The thrill for me collecting Bundy Rum is in the chase of a bottle to complete a set, or finding an old bottle that you never knew existed. With wine, and in my case particularly red wine as it is my favourite, the thrill is that experience when you open that bottle with friends and its sensational. As I get older, I am more partial to a good glass (or bottle) of red. Agree with Rens, its all about the collecting to consume. The patience and the wait of buying a bottle and then when its reached a good drinking age, enjoying the rewards of your patience is a thing of beauty.

[rooman]

My thoughts for what they are worth:
- I collect to consume
- I only consume when I share. I never drink wine by myself because there is no one there to discuss the wine being drunk and its boring.
- Don't underestimate the long term nature of this obsession. Good Cab sav takes at least 12 years to reach maturity, as does riesling.
- Try to understand your tastes will change. I have known so many people who start out collecting huge quantities of Barossa shiraz to dump the lot at auction as their palates mature and develop. Buy Cab Sav from MR and Coon in good years even if you don't like it now, you will eventually.
- Verticals of your favourite wine are interesting from a pointy head perspective as its fascinating to see how your favourite wine varies from year to year.
- Its ok to be a vintage slut. I have Clare Valley riesling from 2012, 2005 and 2002, Bordeaux from 2010 (now ), 2009, 2005, 2000 etc, Barolo from 2004 1999 and 1997 etc etc etc.
- Eventually you will fall in love with riesling so buy as much of the 2012 now as you can.
- Always buy at least 6. I hate that feeling of having to hang onto the last bottle of 3 because you started too early and its only just now hitting its straps.
- Buy 12 of great wines and drink them over 20 years.
- Accept that your friends who buy cheap nasty wines will always make a beeline to your prized bottle. Think of it as sharing the love but save the great bottles for Auswine forums.
- think really long term and make sure you have enough great wines to see out your whole life and leave some for the kids. There is nothing worse than retirement and cask wine!!!!
-Let your friends buy porsches and spend the cash you save on wine
- And most importantly there is always someone who has a larger cellar or knows more so relax sit back and enjoy.

[Wizz]

Collecting and consuming are different things. Neither are really very rational. Collect to collect. Admit it.
Verticals are a collecting phenomenon, not a consuming one, for 99% of wine drinkers.
Vintage slut is OK, but remember the old saying - good vintages are like buses - there's always another one coming soon. My passion is Germany where the best vintage ever was 2001. and 2005. then 07, then 09. now 12.
You will fall in love with Riesling. And Burgundy. And Barolo. And...oh, you get the picture.
Never buy dozens unless you're going to guzzle them soon. Your palate will change over time, and you WILL regret all of the 11 bottle lots you have that you don't like any more.

[rooman]

Never buy dozens unless you're going to guzzle them soon. Your palate will change over time, and you WILL regret all of the 11 bottle lots you have that you don't like any more.

Definitely don't agree with this one. One bottle each year for 12 or more years is nothing IF its a good wine. I've put away at least 10 cases of 12 from the 2012 vintage for riesling. I will easily drink all of them over the next couple of decades and wish I had more partly because I drink also most nothing nowadays when it is first released. If I had my choice every riesling I drank would be at least 10 years old.

[rooman]

Verticals are a collecting phenomenon, not a consuming one, for 99% of wine drinkers.

On reflection I don't agree with approach either. The verticals I have ended up with and I probably have about 5 or 6 roughly (ie not every vintage) are because I love that particular wine. If I really love the wine I will buy it each year and bury it in the cellar drinking earlier vintages as they enter their drinking windows.

[Mike Hawkins]

Never buy dozens unless you're going to guzzle them soon. Your palate will change over time, and you WILL regret all of the 11 bottle lots you have that you don't like any more.

Definitely don't agree with this one. One bottle each year for 12 or more years is nothing IF its a good wine. I've put away at least 10 cases of 12 from the 2012 vintage for riesling. I will easily drink all of them over the next couple of decades and wish I had more partly because I drink also most nothing nowadays when it is first released. If I had my choice every riesling I drank would be at least 10 years old.

I agree with Rooman. If you've been drinking / collecting for a while (I started seriously in 1990), you'll eventually reach a stage where you're 'consistent' with your preferences. In fact for some of the tete du cuvee's from Champagne in good years like 96 and 02, I've bought 24+ bottles, and I'm glad I went long on Barossa and Coonawarra from 86/90/91/96.

I also agree with the riesling comments - I've bought many dozen from 2012

[Mike Hawkins]

Verticals are a collecting phenomenon, not a consuming one, for 99% of wine drinkers.

On reflection I don't agree with approach either. The verticals I have ended up with and I probably have about 5 or 6 roughly (ie not every vintage) are because I love that particular wine. If I really love the wine I will buy it each year and bury it in the cellar drinking earlier vintages as they enter their drinking windows.

I used to buy verticals of every vintage of my favourites, but have learned from experience to focus on the 'better' years and buy more of these. For example, my Rockford BP collection is limited to 86/88/90/91/96/98/99/02/04/05/06/10. And while the 'lesser' vintages from Rockford are still pretty good, I'd rather double up on the great releases than have say 6 bottles of every one.

[Wizz]

Same on the verticals - I used to try to make them, I still have a couple, but all of these got broken this year.

Unless you put out the whole vertical for tasting at the same time - no one cares but you.

[rooman]

Verticals are a collecting phenomenon, not a consuming one, for 99% of wine drinkers.

On reflection I don't agree with approach either. The verticals I have ended up with and I probably have about 5 or 6 roughly (ie not every vintage) are because I love that particular wine. If I really love the wine I will buy it each year and bury it in the cellar drinking earlier vintages as they enter their drinking windows.

I used to buy verticals of every vintage of my favourites, but have learned from experience to focus on the 'better' years and buy more of these. For example, my Rockford BP collection is limited to 86/88/90/91/96/98/99/02/04/05/06/10. And while the 'lesser' vintages from Rockford are still pretty good, I'd rather double up on the great releases than have say 6 bottles of every one.

this was the background to being a vintage slut. we had a long discussion on this just point at the offline dinner the night. Namely buying just the good vintages in a vertical without feeling you have to buy the poor years.

[rooman]

I agree with Rooman. If you've been drinking / collecting for a while (I started seriously in 1990), you'll eventually reach a stage where you're 'consistent' with your preferences. In fact for some of the tete du cuvee's from Champagne in good years like 96 and 02, I've bought 24+ bottles, and I'm glad I went long on Barossa and Coonawarra from 86/90/91/96.

I also agree with the riesling comments - I've bought many dozen from 2012

Mike

We have both been collecting about the same time but if I have a couple of major regrets with my cellar, one of the top ones is I have never collected Champagne. Partly it was a money thing and partly ignorance. The other was given the time it takes for wine to mature, not planning for where my palate would be rather than currently is. I know that an easier comment to make with the benefit of hindsight but almost every pointy head eventually gets the burgundy and riesling bug. So if you're new to collecting put away a few case of these wines from good vintages and if for some strange reason the bug skips you, you can always make a good return selling them. On the other hand, almost no one pays good money for shiraz at auction with some notable exceptions, BP etc. I've had two friends get the burgundy bug and dump their Aussie shiraz collections at fire sale prices to fund their new obssession.

[Mike Hawkins]

I've tried to avoid the Burgundy obsession. It's a fast track to poverty!

[wineboy]

I only started collecting GRANGE about a month ago, and im absolutely loving it!
Im not even a wine drinker but my dad gave me some 2005 Katnook estate merlot to try and i could drink it without screwing up my face so im trying to enjoy wine a little every day now.
but my Grange collection is just that........... a Collection, solely to buy and keep and preserve for my sons one-day to pass down to them.

[rooman]

I only started collecting GRANGE about a month ago, and im absolutely loving it!
Im not even a wine drinker but my dad gave me some 2005 Katnook estate merlot to try and i could drink it without screwing up my face so im trying to enjoy wine a little every day now.
but my Grange collection is just that........... a Collection, solely to buy and keep and preserve for my sons one-day to pass down to them.

Wineboy

Well done. I always humbly suggest to those who have come late (or early depending on their age) to the appreciation of wine that there is no need to hurry. On this basis I recommend spreading your enjoyment of the bottle of Katnook your Dad gave you over a month or more. Try a little sip each day and watch how the bottle blossoms and develops each day, day after day, week after week. At night if you place it on the mantle piece above the fire you will see how the reflected light highlights the craftsmanship that goes into label design. Adopting these simple techniques of wine appreciation you should be able to stretch your enjoyment of this first bottle over two or more months.

Mark

[wineboy]

Thanks for your kind words, i will do just that

[sjw_11]