Starting a wine collection is one of the most rewarding journeys a wine enthusiast can undertake. Whether you're looking to invest in bottles that appreciate in value or simply want to have special wines on hand for celebrations, building a thoughtful collection allows you to explore the vast world of wine while creating something uniquely your own.
At Metro Wines Asheville, we believe wine is about community, family, and friends. Our philosophy centers on making wine accessible while providing expert guidance to help you build a collection that reflects your personal taste and goals. With our big shop selection and small shop service, we're here to guide you through every step of your collecting journey.
Why Start a Wine Collection?
Before diving into the how-to's, it's worth considering why you might want to start a collection in the first place:
- Personal enjoyment: Having wines you love readily available for special occasions or everyday indulgence
- Exploration: Deepening your knowledge of different regions, varietals, and vintages
- Investment potential: Some wines appreciate in value over time
- Legacy building: Creating something meaningful to share and potentially pass down
- Convenience: Always having the perfect bottle on hand for any occasion
Setting Your Collection Goals
Every great wine collection starts with clear intentions. Ask yourself:
- What kind of collector do you want to be?
- Are you focusing on investment potential or personal enjoyment?
- Do you have specific regions, varietals, or producers you're passionate about?
- What's your budget, both initially and ongoing?
- How much storage space do you have available?
Your answers will guide everything from bottle selection to storage solutions, helping you build a collection that truly reflects your wine journey.
Essential Types of Wine for Your Collection
A well-rounded collection typically includes:
Everyday Drinkers
These are your go-to bottles for weeknight dinners and casual gatherings. They should be:
- Affordable (typically $15-30)
- Ready to drink now
- Versatile with food pairings
Special Occasion Wines
These bottles elevate celebrations and memorable moments:
- Mid-range price point ($30-75)
- Notable producers or exceptional vintages
- Wines with personal significance
Age-Worthy Investment Bottles
These form the backbone of a serious collection:
- Higher-end offerings ($75+)
- Wines from producers with proven aging potential
- Bottles that potentially appreciate in value
Specialized Selections
These reflect your unique interests and passions:
- Wines from regions you've visited
- Limited production bottlings
- Unusual varietals or production methods that intrigue you
Fine Wines to Consider for Your Collection
Based on our experience helping collectors at Metro Wines, here are some exceptional options worth considering for the investment portion of your collection:
- Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon: A Napa Valley icon known for elegance and aging potential
- Ridge Montebello: One of California's most age-worthy red blends
- Littorai Pinot Noir: Exceptional, terroir-focused Pinot Noir from California
- Dominus: A Bordeaux-style blend with incredible structure and complexity
- Caymus Special Select Cabernet: Rich, powerful Napa Cabernet with consistent quality
- Giuseppe Quintarelli: Legendary Italian producer, especially known for Amarone
- Penfolds Grange: Australia's most celebrated wine with decades of aging potential
- Joseph Phelps Insignia: A pioneering Napa Valley proprietary red blend
- Quintessa: A Rutherford estate producing sophisticated, balanced reds
- Antinori Tignanello: One of Italy's most famous Super Tuscans
Old World classics to consider include:
- Château Cheval Blanc: Legendary St-Émilion producer
- Château Mouton Rothschild: First-growth Bordeaux with historical significance
- Harlan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Cult California Cabernet with exceptional aging potential
- Bond Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Single-vineyard expressions from Napa Valley
- Château d'Yquem Sauternes: The world's most famous sweet wine
Read our blog about wine traditions from around the world here!
Wine Storage Essentials
Proper storage is absolutely crucial for protecting your investment. Here are the key factors to consider:
Temperature
- Ideal range: 53-57°F (12-14°C)
- Consistency is more important than hitting an exact temperature
- Avoid fluctuations of more than 3°F, as they can damage wine
Humidity
- Aim for 70% humidity
- Too low: corks dry out, allowing oxygen to enter
- Too high: labels can mold or deteriorate
Light Exposure
- UV rays damage wine through a process called "light strike"
- Store bottles in dark areas or in cabinets with UV-filtered glass
Vibration
- Minimize vibration, which can disturb sediment and potentially speed aging
- Avoid storing near appliances, speakers, or high-traffic areas
Orientation
- Store cork-sealed bottles horizontally to keep corks moist
- Screw caps and some sparkling wines can be stored upright
Storage Solutions for Different Collectors
Depending on your space, budget, and collection size, consider these options:
- Wine Refrigerators
- Perfect for collections of 20-300 bottles
- Offers precise temperature control
- Available in various sizes and price points
- Dual-zone options allow for storing reds and whites at different temperatures
- Passive Cellars
- Utilize naturally cool areas of your home (basement, under stairs)
- Require monitoring of temperature and humidity
- Can be retrofitted with insulation for better climate control
- Custom Wine Cellars
- The ultimate solution for serious collectors
- Climate-controlled environment
- Beautiful display options
- Expandable as your collection grows
- Off-Site Storage
- Professional wine storage facilities
- Perfect for those with space limitations
- Often includes insurance and inventory management
- Typically charge monthly fees based on number of bottles
Building Your Collection: A Strategic Approach
Start Small and Focused
Begin with a clear direction rather than buying random bottles:
- Choose one region or varietal to focus on initially
- Research producers, vintages, and aging potential
- Purchase a few bottles at different price points
- Taste systematically and take notes
- Expand based on what you enjoy
Consider Buying by the Case
For investment-grade wines or everyday favorites:
- Cases often come with a discount (Metro Wines offers a 15% case discount)
- Allows you to taste a bottle annually to track development
- Provides consistency in storage conditions
- Establishes provenance for investment bottles
Develop Relationships with Wine Professionals
Our knowledgeable staff at Metro Wines can help you:
- Access limited allocation wines
- Learn about upcoming releases
- Receive personalized recommendations
- Stay informed about special opportunities
Track Your Collection
As your collection grows, inventory management becomes essential:
- Use a spreadsheet or wine app to track purchases
- Record drinking windows, purchase prices, and tasting notes
- Schedule reminders for wines approaching peak drinking windows
- Document provenance for investment bottles
Avoiding Common Collection Pitfalls
Even experienced collectors make mistakes. Here's how to avoid the most common ones:
Collecting Only Trophy Wines
- Balance prestigious bottles with everyday drinkers
- Remember that wine is meant to be enjoyed, not just admired
Ignoring Storage Conditions
- Even the finest wines deteriorate in poor conditions
- Invest in proper storage before expanding your collection
Following Trends Blindly
- Build a collection that reflects your taste, not just popular opinion
- Consider critic scores but trust your own palate
Failing to Diversify
- Spread risk by including different regions and styles
- Account for varying drinking windows so you'll always have ready-to-drink options
Forgetting to Enjoy the Journey
- Wine collecting should bring pleasure, not stress
- Open special bottles for memorable occasions rather than waiting for the "perfect moment"
Metro Wines: Your Partner in Collection Building
At Metro Wines, we offer more than just bottles. We provide the guidance, selection, and services to help you build a collection you'll treasure for years to come. Our sommelier-led team can help you:
- Identify bottles with aging potential
- Source hard-to-find wines
- Create a balanced collection strategy
- Access specialty and collector wines
- Ensure proper storage and handling
We believe the best collections reflect the personality and preferences of their owners. Whether you're just starting out or expanding an established collection, our team is here to help you make choices you'll be happy with for years to come.
Read our blog post called “What to ask your sommelier?” here.
FAQs About Wine Collecting
How much should I budget to start a wine collection?
Start with what you're comfortable spending. Even a modest investment of $500-1,000 can begin a thoughtful collection. Focus on quality over quantity and expand gradually as your knowledge and budget allow.
How long can wines typically age?
This varies tremendously by wine type. Many everyday wines are meant to be consumed within 1-3 years of release. Premium reds from collectible regions might peak anywhere from 10-30+ years, while certain dessert wines can evolve beautifully for 50+ years.
Should I collect wines I haven't tasted?
Ideally, you should be familiar with a producer's style before investing in multiple bottles. However, for highly allocated or rare wines, this isn't always possible. In these cases, rely on trusted wine professionals and comprehensive research.
How do I know when a wine is ready to drink?
Producer recommendations, critic reviews, and wine apps can provide guidance, but there's no substitute for experience. Consider buying multiple bottles of the same wine to try at different stages of development.
Can Metro Wines help me source specific collector wines?
Absolutely! Our team excels at finding hard-to-get bottles. If we don't have what you're looking for in stock, we'll make every effort to source it for you through our extensive network.
Start Your Collection Journey Today
Building a wine collection is one of the most rewarding aspects of wine appreciation. It combines knowledge, passion, patience, and discovery into an endeavor that grows more valuable—both financially and experientially—over time.
Contact Metro Wines, located at 169 Charlotte Street in Asheville, where there's always a sommelier on duty ready to help you start or expand your collection. We offer internet-competitive pricing on collector-grade wines and can help source rare bottles through our extensive network.
Remember, the best wine collections tell a story—your story—through bottles that reflect your journey, experiences, and taste. We look forward to helping you write that story, one bottle at a time.
Metro Wines is located at 169 Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Contact us at (828) 575-9525 to discuss your collection needs or visit us in person to speak with one of our wine specialists.