What Makes a Wine Collectible?

Wine Enthusiast

Savvy Storing

Once you’ve chosen your bottles—after ensuring, thus far, they’ve been suitably laid away—take care of them. A proper cellar must be temperature controlled and away from direct light.

“Don’t move the wines around constantly, don’t expose them to bright light for an extended period of time and keep temperatures consistent,” says Hoagland. “55 degrees is commonly thought to be appropriate for long-term aging of wine. But wine at 60 or even 65 degrees (if it is consistently at that temperature) is better than wine that might be at 55 for a month, 70 for another month, etc.”

It’s important to pay attention to what those bottles are being stored in, too. “Avoid storing cardboard boxes in cellars—the damp air may cause bacteria and mold to grow and spread through the cellar and corks,” says Shawn Zylberberg, founder of Zonda Wine Services consulting and cellar management. “Keep wines in the original cartons or wooden boxes—it can increase their resale value.”

Log them in a system—an Excel spreadsheet, a dedicated platform or whatever works best for you. And keep the physical receipts. “Saving purchase receipts—so you know not only the cost basis but also the direct source of purchase—is always a good idea,” says Hoagland.

This is particularly important for resale. “Auction houses will make sure the wines maintain the house’s reputation—this helps establish provenance through a chain of sales,” says Zylberberg.

Babysitting Bottles

Once everything is resting soundly, you also have to manage expectations: be ready to part ways with a bottle when it’s time. “The biggest and most disappointing mistake I run into is when people hold wines for too long,” says Zylberberg.

And always be constantly cognizant about what you’re buying and collecting. “If you find yourself staying on an allocated list for a wine that you no longer enjoy, stop buying it,” says Strangis. “I’ve seen people stay on mailing lists for wines they no longer drink solely because they go up in value. The secondary market is awash in people moving their high-scoring cult wine they no longer drink.”

Another key point: be okay with asking for help. “If you’re looking to resell bottles, it’s wise to have your collection appraised every so often,” says Riedel. Experts can also help you move or reorganize. “Wines are temperamental, so having an expert to support you to ensure your bottles are handled with care and protected from damage is key,” he notes.

It’s all legwork, but helps avoid heartbreak down the line. Zylberberg has seen some of the world’s top wines go down the drain due to collecting mistakes. “The wine world is vast and the books and tasting reports endless,” he says. “It’s good to have someone on watch for your next favorite, and maybe even life changing, bottle.”

Wine Enthusiast