|
The 7 Essential Wines To Own For Your Wine Collection
…And How to Organize Them In Your Cellar
Choices, choices.
Stocking a wine cellar and getting your wine collection up and
running requires making impeccable choices and plenty of research. At Grotto
Custom Wine Cellars we have access to the most insightful and informed wine
experts in the world, including Master Sommelier, Michael Jordan and renown food
and wine blogger, Natalie Maclean of NatDecants. We have collected their “must
have” recommendations and built this awesome list of wines that are consistently
great year in year out.
White Wines
Blame it on its cellar longevity and its ability to maintain varietal identity -- Riesling may be the best of all the white wine grapes. While Riesling grapes originate in Germany, they are grown all over the world today.
This white wine is a must-have in your collection mainly because of its food pairing versatility. Riesling is considered one of the wine world's "new" sweethearts, and has been gaining culinary affections all over the world.
If you’re looking for versatility, then Reisling is your best bet. Rieslings may well be considered the most accommodating wine – pair it with challenging flavors and spices, from appetizers to entrees, desserts, pork, poultry or shellfish, and virtually anything in between. Love Asian, Mexican or Moroccan food? The diversity of the Riesling makes it capable of handling all those sweet, spicy, zesty flavors. Indeed, we love it for its crisp and refreshing taste. Reislings can be semi-sweet, off-dry or dry. We recommend finding one that is a lighter body off-dry for your collection.
 Michael Jordan says "Lately I have been enjoying wines
from Germany, Austria, and Alsace, a region of France. In Germany
an amazingly ageable Dry Riesling from the Pfalz; The Dr Burklin-Wolf, Forster
Kirchenstuck, from the "manmade" volcanic basalt vineyard behind the church in
Forst. Be sure to check out Austria, the Willi Brundlemayer's
Brundlemayer Heililgenstien Alte Reben, Kamptal. Finally, Alsace
has a Zind-Humbrecht from the Brand and Rangen Grand Cru areas. Brand,
which has the legendary Grand Cru with steep south and south-east facing slopes,
and a variety of soil types at Turckheim. Rangen which has steep south facing
slopes with a mixture of volcanic rocks and ash with fine sandstone by Thann."
 Luis Mora recommends "Spatlese – this is a “style” of German Riesling; GREAT for beginners and expert drinkers"
 Bounty Hunter approved - 2009 Streamside Riesling - Santa Lucia Highlands, CA - $16.95
 Natalie MacLean's wine pick - 2007 St. Urbans Hof Reisling
 Suburban Wino digs "I have been digging the wares of Mosel's Weingut Willi Schaefer which are great examples of German riesling, particularly the balance of sweetness and acidity in the Spätleses and Ausleses. Finally, spicy chicken wings have a pairing to oust ice cold draft beer! The ample acidity in good rieslings enable aging potential as well."
 Vinotology is drinking "2007 Casa Marin Riesling (Chile) -
Had this wine a while back, and enjoyed it enough that I had to go back for more
to keep on hand. Has some great petrol action going on, which I love."
No collection should be without the world’s favorite white wine –chardonnay.
Grown in California as well as France and Australia to name a few, Chardonnays are among the best white wines in the world. It is a thick and delicate wine with a distinct aroma, and is traditionally dry. Chardonnays have a very unique flavor profile ranging from buttery to “oaky”. You can often scent delicious aromas of apples, lemons, peaches or tropical fruits!
Chardonnays are known to be very delicate wines -- a small percentage of another variety blended into Chardonnay will often completely dominate its aroma and flavor. Oak, for example, can do this to Chardonnay, giving it that “oaky” flavor.
Chardonnay pairs well with pork, poultry dishes and seafood, including those recipes that have a heavy cream or butter base. We especially like un-oaked Chardonnay with garlic, salads, guacamole, grilled shrimp, and even curry dishes.
Michael Jordan says "Check out Chablis Domaine Louis
Moreau, Les Clos Grand Cru; the Domaine Vougeraie, Clos Blanc de
Vougeout (monopole); or the Littorai, Charles Heintz, Russian River
Valley."
Luis Mora recommends "Spatlese – this is a “style” of German Riesling; GREAT for beginners and expert drinkers"
Bounty Hunter approved - 2008 Waypoint 'Donum Vineyard' Chardonnay - Carneros, California - 39.95
Natalie MacLean's wine pick - 2007 Acacia Vineyard Chardonnay
Suburban Wino digs "While not one I would age for years, try to seek out
Macedonian producer Bovin's 2008 Chardonnay. This is some of the purest Chardonnay fruit in a bottle I've ever tasted, at an everyday-drinking price, perhaps due to the obscurity of the region (though, Macedonia's been making wine for thousands of years)."
Vinotology is drinking "2004 Salinia Heintz Ranch Chardonnay (Sonoma,
California) - This is an extremely limited production wine that my friend and
fellow blogger Hardy Wallace
introduced me to recently. I don't drink a lot of Chardonnay, but loved this
unfiltered and unfined little gem. Cloudy and drinks unlike any Chardonnay that
most have ever experienced."
Red Wines
Being the world’s most sought-after red wine, every wine lover should definitely have the Cabernet Sauvignon in his collection. If you happen to reside in California where Cabernet is the top growing grape, this is definitely a must-have if you’re expecting to do some serious entertaining in your home.
Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as the “King of Red Wine Grapes”. The Cab is reputed for its great longevity, attributed to its world-renowned high levels of extract and tannin, with classic cassis and cedar characteristic.
Flavor-wise, the Cab is considered lively with a degree of richness, yet usually finishes with firm astringency. The Cab’s flavor profile includes plum, blackberry, cherry, blueberry, vanilla, warm spice, tobacco and sometimes leather aromas and or flavors. It is often delightfully paired with red meats, lamb, flavorful and heartier pastas, strong-zesty cheeses, and even dark chocolates!
Cabernet Sauvignon is known in some parts of the world by other names such as Petit Cabernet, Sauvignon Rouge, and Vidure.
Michael Jordan says "Any vintage of the Showket
Vineyards, Oakville; the David Arthur, Elevation 1147, Napa Valley;
or the Scherrer, Alexander Valley."
Luis Mora recommends "The mountain districts in Napa are producing simply the best."
Bounty Hunter approved - 2006 Pursuit "Georges III Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford (Napa Valley), CA - $59.95
Natalie MacLean's wine pick - 2007 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Suburban Wino digs - "While 2007 was generally regarded as a difficult year in Bordeaux, the vintage wines - for what they lack in ageabiliy - are drinking great now. I'm digging Pauillac's 5th-growth Chateau D'Armailhac in particular."
Vinotology is drinking "2007 Pepper Bridge Cabernet
Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington) - I have enjoyed Pepper Bridge wine since my
wife and I first visited Walla Walla a couple of years ago. Tasting this wine on
a recent visit just cemented this producer in my mind as a great Washington
state Cab producer."
Light in body but definitely not light in taste, a Pinot is a red wine that is very aromatic. We think it will round out your collection nicely – it is one of the oldest grape varieties cultivated for the purpose of making wine.
Its intense aroma reminds us of red berries, black cherries and a slight hint of spice. It is often said that great Pinot Noir creates a lasting impression on both your palate and your memory. Its aroma can be intense with a ripe-grape or black cherry aroma, often accented by a pronounced spiciness.
It is interesting to note that Pinot grapes are not easily grown. They are very delicate and only survive in certain specific climates, such as in the West Coast including California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. New Zealand, too, is one of the best Pinot grape growing region.
Pinot Noir blends well with a wide variety of foods, but the best matches of Pinot Noir are: grilled salmon, plain roast beef, or any dish that features creamy sauces, mushrooms or spicy seasonings.
Michael Jordan says "Try the Williams & Selyem,
Rochioli Riverblock from Russian River Valley; the Clos Pepe, Santa
Rita Hills; or the Pisoni Vineards, Santa Lucia Highlands."
Luis Mora recommends "Explore the French Burgundy - terrior!"
Bounty Hunter approved - 2007 Castalia 'Rochioli Vineyard' Pinot Noir - Russian River Valley - $54.95
Natalie MacLean's wine pick - 2002 Paul Misset Vosne-Romanee Pinot Noir
Suburban Wino digs "If you haven't had any Pinot from New Zealand, you're missing out. The southernmost growing region in the world- Central Otago- in particular has a continental climate and a terroir to produce ripe, yet subtle, elegant, and food-friendly wines. The 2008 Mud House is one I've particularly enjoyed recently."
Vinotology is drinking "2008 Soléna Estate Hyland
Vineyard Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon) - I had the opportunity to visit
this winery recently, and really enjoyed their wines. In a recent tasting of
Pinot Noir wines from around the globe, this was my favorite. Definitely a more
fruit forward Pinot, but a very elegant wine."
If you’re a chocolate lover, then you should definitely have Merlot wines in your collection. Merlot is an excellent companion with chocolate, and is said to be held in high esteem by wine drinkers.
If you’re just getting into red wines, Merlot is an excellent choice. You can expect a range of fresh flavors from this red wine – black cherries, plums, currant, cedar, blueberries and blackberries mixed with cocoa and black pepper tones, along with mint, tobacco and tea-leaf tones.
The Merlot’s flavor profile is similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, and is often blended with it in order to soften the flavor. Merlot makes a wine that is dry, rich in essence and smooth as it finishes down your throat. While similar in flavor to its cousin Cabernet Sauvignon, in terms of aroma and taste, Merlot tends to be less distinctive and slightly more herbaceous.
Merlot wine is considered fairly versatile when it comes to food pairing too. We love it with beef and lamb, but it also pairs well with pork, pastas and salads. To reach your desired serving temperature, you should cool your bottle of Merlot for 15 or 20 minutes in a refrigerator.
Michael Jordan says "You must look into the Chateau
Monbousquet, Grand Cru Classé, Saint-Émilion; the Gargiulo Vineyards
from Money Road Ranch, Oakville; or the Blackbird Vineyards from Napa
Valley."
Luis Mora recommends "The French - right bank - it's the best in the world!"
Bounty Hunter approved - 2007 Hourglass 'Blueline Estate' Merlot - Napa Valley- $74.95
Natalie MacLean's wine picks - 2006 Shafer Merlot
Suburban Wino digs "It's an old standby, but I think this under-appreciated grape is done wonderfully in the hands of Napa's Duckhorn Winery. As I feel the weather's pretty much perfect every year in Napa for growing grapes, seek out any recent vintage, or the Estate-Grown for a few shekels more if you want something to lay down for a bit."
Vinotology is drinking "2007 Barnard Griffin Reserve
Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington) - My wife and I originally received a
bottle of this wine as a gift from my father-in-law, and I have to say that it
has become one of my favorite Merlots. Really easy drinking wine that I think
can be best described as "delicious"."
Known to be Australia's finest, most popular red wine, Shiraz is also produced in South Africa. However, if it comes from France, the United States, Argentina or Chile, it is called Syrah.
Shiraz is well known for its spicy blackberry, plum, and peppery flavors. Often you will also find that there are also hints of licorice, bitter chocolate, and mocha. Considered a full-bodied wine, Shiraz is rich, dark, heavy in tannin, and is characterized by a lush texture and ripe fruit flavors.
If you’re a fan of lamb beef, duck and goose, Shiraz perfectly complements your food choice. Shiraz also goes well with Indian, Mexican, and other spicy foods.
Shiraz is always affected by temperature – warm climates bring out the mellow flavors of plum, while cooler temperatures spice up the wine. Shiraz can be made in a dry or fruity style, the latter many "sweet" wine drinkers truly enjoy.
Michael Jordan says "Recently I have enjoyed the Betz
Family Winery, Red Mountain La Côte Rousse from Washington; the Groom,
Shiraz from the Barossa Valley of South Australia; and the La Sirena,
Syrah from Napa Valley."
Luis Mora recommends "Barossa Valley, Australia's most famous wine region, has the most rich and dense flavors."
Bounty Hunter approved - 2007 Yalumba 'The Scribbler' Shiraz - Red Barossa Valley, Australia - $19.95
Natalie MacLean's wine picks - 2006 d'Arenberg Shiraz Mourvedre
Suburban Wino digs - "The Srah coming out of Eastern Washington may put its stamp on the state as the flagship varietal. One of the most balanced efforts I recently tasted was Rasa Vineyards 2007 QED ("Quod Erat Demonstrandum"), which loosely translates to "here's the proof". And the proof of the Evergreen's States prowess with Syrah is in this bottle."
Vinotology is drinking "2007 Bonny Doon Bien Nacido
Syrah (Santa Maria Valley, California) - This wine is actually a members only
release, but how could I not include a wine from the original Rhone Ranger as my
Syrah pick? Say what you will about biodynamics, as long as the wines are like
this, I don't care how many cow skulls they bury in the vineyard."
Organizing your wine collection
So let’s say you now have all the best wines in your collection. Wonderful!
The next thing you must do is to learn how to organize your wine bottles.
Your fine wines deserve proper care and storage, so here are some tips on organizing
your wine collection:
-
Storing wines in your racks: white wines should be closer to the floor and reds should be higher up.
-
More frequently used wines should be kept by the door, and the long-term fine wines in your cellar’s cooler, darker corners.
-
For healthy corks, a relative humidity of about 50% - 70% must be maintained in your cellar or storage area.
-
Create a database of your wine collection. Give each wine a location number and listing, including the following:
-
wine's name
-
vintage
-
producer
-
appellation
-
vineyard name
-
region
-
county
-
type (red, white, rose, sparkling)
-
quantity owned
-
price paid per bottle
-
value (estimate)
-
size of bottle (half-bottle, magnum)
Aside from these, you may also add tasting and pairing notes. Keep this information in an Excel file or Google spreadsheet for updating.
-
Tag your wines. For each kind of wine, hang identifying tags on the necks so the bottles don't need to be disturbed when you want to know what bottle is what.
-
Check out CellarNotes.net or Wine.com for a complete listing of wines and advice on how long to store each type of wine you have in your collection.
|
|
Live Chat |
Shopping Cart
