In planning this tasting: Private Cellar Essentials, I went back and forth with several of the ‘typical’ myths and conflicts that many of my peers have with the wine and Savour lifestyle. I almost changed the theme a few times because I could hear the sceptics already – then I decided that that was even more reason to maintain it. On the chance that we don’t get to cover all the myths and perceptions about collecting wine at the tasting I figured we could re-cap and discuss some of the ones that jump out to me here.
This post is the first of a few in this Tasting Notes series and I look forward to getting your feedback on the Savour approach to this conversation!
I am not an expert at wine collection, but I’ve done some research and found the ways that work best for me in wine collection and storage. With that said, let’s discuss…
Savour ‘rules’ for wine collection:
- Choose wines you like!
- It seems a bit obvious but if you choose a wine you aren’t crazy about or don’t like, your pairing/ageing experience will not necessarily make you like it more – no matter how traditionally ‘ideal’ the match is. Don’t choose something because you think it’s the right choice especially if you don’t like it. If you generally like sweet White Zinfandel wines and similar experiences then choosing a bold Barolo may not be your best choice unless you’re looking to branch out – more on that later. Unfortunately, people often feel that their wine choice is not ‘sophisticated’ enough. At the end of the day, my first rule is – you like what you like! If you want to pair a Pouilly Fumé with a pack of banana chips, do it. Wine and Savour Experiences are personal, and as such, you should project your personal preferences into whichever wines you choose.
- Get to know your palate and what you enjoy
- Knowing what you enjoy can require trial and error in order to choose correctly. While you’re discovering what you enjoy in order to fulfil the first ‘rule’ try different wines and pairings. Don’t be afraid to try new things that you didn’t think you would like. I didn’t think I liked Riesling because the ones I had tasted trended more to the cloyingly sweet end of the spectrum (ie. Too sweet for my palate). However, I did a bit more research and tried a few Rieslings within the Kabinett style (more off-dry and well balanced with acidity) and found a few that I LOVE and am trying to get my hands on a few bottles for my wine fridge!
- Food impacts the taste of wine. Not the other way around.
- Once you get to know how the flavours of food impact your wine choices, this will make your trial and error more informed and deliberate. Again, this is trial and error AND a matter of personal preference. Generally, if your food is salty and acidic you want to find a wine that matches the level of acidity and has high tannins and low sweetness. If your food is sweet or has a high level of Umami (savoury) you will want to choose a wine that matches the level of sweetness (or lack thereof) and is low in acidity and tannins.
- Choose a wine that is tied to a memory
- Many of the bottles of wine in my collection are tied to a memory of something. For example; the wines we had at our wedding, the first white wine that blew my mind, one of the wines from the first Savour Experience, a wine I was given as a gift on my birthday the year I started Savour etc. Positive memories tied to Savour Experiences beget more positive experiences. Keep the cycle going!
Otherwise some good points to note are:
- Keep the wines stored at a cool constant temperature. A veranda that gets sunlight in our equator-hot summers is not ideal for wines. A storage closet that stays cool and out of direct sunlight is great.
- If they have a cork, keep the wines on their side so that the cork stays wet.
- Don’t just collect – Savour the wines also!
After all is said and done, it’s now time to Savour! To start building your own private cellar or wine collection, send me an email to SavourWithMe@SavourExperience.com and start Savouring today!
Cheers,
Shannon.
