Starting your own wine collection: A journey worth every drop

There comes a time in life when yet another bottle of wine that’s too bland, too young, and too predictable just won’t cut it anymore. Maybe you’ve recently been seduced by aged, premium bottles, or maybe you can no longer stomach another sip of supermarket swill. Whatever the reason, the moment has arrived to embrace something truly elegant. And what could be more sophisticated, more impressive – or enviable – than starting your very own wine collection?

But let’s strip away the glamour for a moment. Starting a wine collection isn’t just about grabbing a few bottles from your favorite convenience store and stashing them in the pantry. A real collection requires patience, knowledge, and, above all, restraint. That said, you don’t need a billionaire’s budget to get started. Unlike collecting cars or watches, you can build a brilliant collection sensibly. So, if you’re serious (or even semi-serious), pour yourself something better than bargain bin Primitivo, and let’s talk essentials.

1. Start with a plan (and your palate)

Before you start snapping up bottles, ask yourself a few questions:

• Why are you collecting? For personal enjoyment, investment, or both?
• How much do you want to spend? Set a budget to avoid getting carried away.
• What do you actually like to drink?

This collection should reflect your tastes. If you love a bold Bordeaux or crisp Champagne, make sure those guide your first purchases. If you’re still figuring out your taste, start by exploring a few classic styles: age-worthy reds like Bordeaux, Barolo, or a white like Riesling or Champagne. A trusted wine shop can guide you, suggesting wines based on producers, vintages, and regions.

2. Build a balanced collection

Think of your collection as a layered portfolio: mix drink-now bottles with age-worthy wines. You want a cellar that has something to enjoy soon, as well as bottles worth waiting for. It’s not just about having wine, it’s about having the right wine for the right occasion.

Drink now vs. drink later: While some wines simply need years, others, like a Premier Cru Chablis, are perfectly drinkable when young, but can certainly age too, giving you more flexibility.

Diversity: Diversify your collection. Reds from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and New World regions like Napa or New Zealand. Mix fuller-bodied whites with fresh Chablis or aromatic whites from Alsace -if you’ve never tried aged Riesling, you’re in for a treat – trust me on this.

If you’re thinking about investment, classic regions like Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Tuscany are often safe bets, but don’t overlook rising stars like Spain’s Ribera del Duero.

3. The importance of storage

Wine evolves over time, but it can spoil if not stored properly. If you’re serious about collecting, storage is crucial.

Temperature: Keep wines cool.  Between 13°C & 17°C is perfect. Fluctuations are a big risk to longevity.

Humidity: Aim for about 70%. Too dry, corks shrink. Too humid, labels mold. In Malta, the mold is usually more of an issue.

Light and Vibration: Keep wines out of direct light and away from excessive movement.

If you’re investing, consider professional wine storage services where conditions are perfect, and your collection is insured.

4. Invest in knowledge

Before diving headfirst into buying, invest in your wine knowledge. Attend tastings, subscribe to wine publications, and follow critics you trust. Knowledge is crucial when navigating a market that can be full of trends and hype. Vivino is a great app to keep track of wines you’ve tasted, but much in the same way as Tripadvisor, take the ratings with a pinch of salt.

5. Keep track of your collection

As your collection grows, it’s easy to lose track of what you own, what’s ready to drink, and what still needs time. Consider using apps like CellarTracker to keep an eye on your inventory, noting key details like vintage, drinking window, and purchase date. That way, you won’t accidentally open a prized bottle too soon (or too late).

6. Patience is key

Wine collecting is for those that are in for long game. Sure, there’s joy in opening a perfectly aged bottle, but part of the satisfaction is in waiting — knowing you have something special resting in your cellar, evolving into something extraordinary. Wine, like a good investment, benefits from time and care.

Whether you’re collecting for the sheer pleasure of sipping something extraordinary or eyeing the investment potential of that 2022 Bordeaux, there’s no time like the present to start building your very own wine cellar. With the right approach, you might find yourself enjoying more than just a glass of wine—you’ll be enjoying the whole journey.

As for the actual wines you should start with, there are loads to choose from. A have selected a few standout suggestions (I’ve recommended an ‘affordable brand’ and a ‘luxury brands’ from each region ):

France

• Bordeaux
  Luxury: Château Margaux 2010 – A legendary wine from one of the most iconic estates. Bold, structured, and worthy of a place in any cellar.
  Affordable: Château Angludet 2019 – A great value Bordeaux with excellent aging potential. Delivers classic Médoc flavors without the eye-watering price.
• Burgundy
  Luxury: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche 2014 – A name that needs no introduction, this is the Rolls-Royce of Burgundy, famous for its finesse, depth & price.
  Affordable: Joseph Drouhin Gevrey Chambertin 2019 – A charming Pinot Noir that offers all the elegance of Burgundy, from one of the finest producers in Burgundy, without requiring a trust fund.
• Champagne
  Luxury: Salon ‘Le Mesnil’ Cuvee S Blanc de Blancs 2002 – An iconic Champagne. Rich, precise and legendary. A Champagne to mark a momentous occasion.
  Affordable: Delamotte Blanc de Blanc 2018 – Salon’s baby brother? A beautifully balanced Champagne that offers finesse and complexity at a fraction of the price.

Italy

• Piedmont (Barolo)
  Luxury: Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino 2006 – Monfortino is nothing short of spectacular, embodying all the power and elegance you expect from this famed producer.
  Affordable: Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2016 – A well-priced Barolo that still packs a punch with its Nebbiolo-driven complexity.
• Tuscany (Super Tuscans)
  Luxury: Masseto 2019 – This Super Tuscan is a benchmark of luxury, delivering intensity, structure, and velvety richness. This baby will continue to develop for another 30 years.
  Affordable: L’Alberello 2016 – The baby brother of Bolgheri producers ‘Grattamacco’, it’s approachable yet still carries the house’s prestige, elegance and quality.
• Tuscany/Brunello
  Luxury: ‘Brunello Di Montalcino’ Riserva Poggio Di Sotto 2016 – This Super vintage is a benchmark for Brunello, delivering intensity, structure, richness and elegance from one of the finest producers.
  Affordable: Brunello di Montalcino, Pian delle Vigne Marchesi Antinori 2016 – Expressive, elegant and structured. Has just entered its drinking window and will continue to delight till at least 2030

Spain

• Rioja
  Luxury: Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2011 – A powerful, long-lived Rioja that showcases the best of the Tempranillo grape.
  Affordable: La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Reserva 2016 – Elegant and full of classic Rioja character, this wine offers superb quality at a fraction of the price.
• Ribera del Duero
  Luxury: Vega Sicilia Unico 2010 – Spain’s most celebrated wine, Vega Sicilia’s Unico is the epitome of sophistication and age-worthiness.
  Affordable: Pesquera Reserva 2019 – A deliciously rich and full-bodied red that delivers a taste of Ribera del Duero at an accessible price.

United States

• California (Napa Valley)
  Luxury: Opus One 2019 – Napa’s ultimate cult wine. Rich, opulent, and with incredible pedigree.
• Affordable: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Artemis 2018 – A stellar Napa Cabernet that won’t break the bank but still delivers those bold, concentrated Californian Cab flavors we love.

Australia

• Barossa Valley (Shiraz)
  Luxury: Penfolds Grange 2016 – Australia’s most famous and collectible wine, known for its power, longevity, and pedigree.
  Affordable: Torbreck The Struie Shiraz 2021 – A fantastic Shiraz that captures the essence of Barossa without the Grange price tag. Albeit from a producer who’s pedigree is up there with Penfolds.

Argentina

• Mendoza (Malbec)
  Luxury: Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Malbec 2019 – From one of Argentina’s top producers, this is a Malbec of stunning complexity, depth & age-worthiness.
  Affordable: Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2020 – An affordable Malbec with pure fruit, balance, and finesse, representing great value from Mendoza and possible to age for another 4 or 5 years.