Old wine collection, which was once considered as the province of fanatics with flexible income and room for a large cellar has now come of age and is considered as a trendy pastime with the younger generation. The neophyte specialists starting off with their collection are realizing that this interesting hobby does not require a very large sum of cash to begin or even maintain. But, the benefits of old wine investment are huge and the returns are much more lucrative.
With the right measure of knowledge and research, just about anyone can successfully find some really great deals on quality old wine. Though you can buy one at a time if you wish, but buying in bulk will be an economical choice. Though most of the young collectors do not have enough space to build up a certifiable cellar, it can be substituted with a cabinet or a dark closet.
It would be a good idea however to build an elegant wine rack to store your vintage wines in a safe and accessible place. The whole essence of wine collection lies in the depth of knowledge and appreciation that you have for each wine bottle. With the right idea about how to bring together a fine anthology, wine collecting will bear out to be a rewarding experience.
Knowing Where to Begin:
This is an important phase that most enthusiastic old wine collectors must have an idea about. Most people decide to get into wine collection and investment either for pleasure or profit. While it would not cost you a fortune to start with, this hobby will obviously require a certain amount of investment on your part, including time as well as money. Regardless of what your motive is, the most important factor to consider is the storage of the wine collection. This helps you preserve your investment, despite of the worth, so that it will increase in the future.
It is a known fact that wine that is well-preserved and kept in proper conditions will age just the way the master of the vintage is intended to be. In contrast to that, the wine that has not been taken care of will not last for long, despite of how good the quality is. However, you must keep in mind that not all wine is meant to be stored for a long period of time. Thus, before you start investing, you should find out which wine you should invest your money in and for what purpose.
One basic theory that wine investors must stick to while purchasing wine is to establish the “origin” of the vintage. This implies to the quality of the storage conditions of the wine. If possible, you can ask for certification before making any sort of major purchase. Though this may seem insignificant, but wine is not stored water. A bottle of wine can be subjected to a host of chemicals, microorganisms, and gases which may react with each other over time; thus, changing the symphony of the liquid.
Balancing Different Wine Collections:
At the time of assembling an assortment of bottles for your wine collection, you must strive to maintain a good balance between the New Age wine from countries such as Australia and Chile; and the Old World wine from Europe; ready-for-consumption wine unhealthy for long-term storage, and the dessert wine.
The type as well as intensity of flavors of these liquids will differ from one style to the other; and some will also change with age. Some of the wines that may seem regular upon release, can also perk-up over time, while other liquids may diminish in quality.
Old wines develop a distinct flavor and taste that has been perfectly described as balanced, smooth and soft. The younger ones will usually display a flavor that has more bite and intensity. Most people are usually familiar to the taste of a much recent vintage. So, if you too fall into this category, but would like to taste the bliss of an older wine, then the best thing to do is start your own collection.
However, if your aim is to hang on to your wine collection for a short period of time, and you reside in a moderate climate, the storage will not be a major problem. But, when you store wine in a vault for a longer period of time, it is essential that you consider several vital factors for its good storage.
Storage temperature: Maintaining an even temperature condition is of supreme importance for old wine. As an investor, you must keep your collection stored in an ideal space, where the temperature does not fluctuate too much. Most wine experts will agree that the idyllic temperature for preserving wine is 57 Fahrenheit (14 Celsius). If you go below that, you actually risk exploiting the maturation procedure. Any higher temperature than the prescribed level may also result in premature aging of the liquid.
Humidity conditions: Humidity is yet another vital factor that must be considered. The sufficient level for good storage condition is the 70-75% mark. Any fluctuations below or above this level may either cause the cork to shrink, or allow air to transmit into the bottle, or result in a label mold. In the same way, when the wine is stored in a place that is spacious with abundance of air movement, the quality can also be affected. However, a complete lack of air movement may result in the mold setting in as well. Thus, a proper balance of humidity level must always be maintained.
Proper lighting: One of the most infamous factors in wine corrosion is the light. Wine actively reacts in a negative way when exposed to the ultraviolet rays in particular. Hence, you must take due care to reduce the exposure to the minimum.
Minimal vibration and movement: If your wine collection is exposed to too much of movement and vibration then it will be effected adversely. Hence, you must keep all your household appliances away from any kind of storage space, especially from the heating and air conditioning units. Apart from this, you must also remember not to neglect to scrutinize the collection on a regular basis for the pests, and also keep it away from the reach of children and pets.
Security parameters: Another chief concern of any wine collector is the security measures. You must take all sorts of precaution to avert your collection from falling into any wrong hands, which means other than yours. The measures you take may also depend on the worth of the collection. As the wine increases in value, you may also consider seeking insurance for it.
The storage facility for wines: When you are taking a plunge into wine investment, you must get a large basement storage facility built to store the bottles. Though this may not be downright necessary for a novice collector, an experienced one should always opt for this. By choosing a well-made racking unit and a proficient layout, you will be surprised at the capacity of your present space at home. There is an assortment of units available to store your wine; hence you do not have to keep them in a traditional area that is not much secure.
However, while buying a storage capacity, ensure that the unit you invest in allows for the bottles to be placed flat, and take into account your yearly consumption. You may or may not actually require a wine rack as large as you predict. However, a general rule of thumb is to permit space for at least ten times your annual intake.
When you are decided to become a serious wine collector, you should remember to catalog your wine. There are several types of software packages available that will help you keep a good track of your wine anthology. You can also use websites to do the same. Additionally, you should pay attention to the anticipated life of your wine, and affix a sticker to top of the bottle marking the year of expiration.
Why Old Wine Prices Will Rise For Many Years?
The price of the old wines has been constantly increasing in value for the following reasons: Increasing demand for fine wine in global market; non-extendible fine wine appellation areas; and decrease in the stock of the old wines. As more people get attracted to the market of old wine investment, the demand is sure to rise high.
The recent demand for wines such as Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafite has created a surge in the global market and propelled the value of fine wines with the top listed Bordeaux and Burgundy wines radically increasing. This has made the way for greater returns/ rewards for the vintage collectors, and also produced a rise in new interest in the global market.
With the current market status, the wine investment market looks to be going up for years to come. Old wine is in high demand, it is expected that China will become the 7th largest consumer of wine in the world by the year 2013. So, make the hay when the sun is shining – make some wine investments now! Click Here To Contact Us Today!
