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Collectors intoxicated by choices

How and why do people decide to collect wine?

Date published: 3/15/2006

I HAVE A MAJOR CASE of vinous envy.

Every now and then, I get lucky and manage to purchase a prestigious wine at a knock-down price. Occasionally, I receive some wonderful gifts. But generally speaking, my wine collection is rather eclectic.

There are a few gems. I have a rather special vintage port that I bought from a store that "just needed to shift some of its old stock." I have some Sauternes that were considered to be past their best (I can state categorically that they are far from their best).

When I achieve particular goals that I set for myself, I reward myself with a coveted wine. But I also have some rather bizarre little items that are just fun.

I have some English wine. Because they do actually make wine in England, and I figured it would make good dinner-party conversation. I have a Russian wine that I received as a gift from a wonderful lady in whose home I did a tutored tasting (thank you, Dorothy). I have some obscure Bordeaux that have very little significance to anybody but my husband and myself. I also have some wine winging its way from China as we speak. How's that for novelty value?

Nevertheless, loving wine as I do, I read of cellars that take my breath away.

People collect wine for all sorts of reasons. Hopefully, the number one reason is a love of wine. But how do people decide what to collect? And why?

I know that my husband would love to own a collection of fine Burgundies. His love of pinot noir is the sole reason for this. No California or Oregon pinot noir will ever compare. I don't doubt that he would love to drink Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru with dinner every night. Hence, if we were to start a serious collection, I know exactly where his money would go.

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Date published: 3/15/2006