Hello everyone. I am a longtime wine enthusiast that would like to start collecting wine. This forum has been great, I missed the 04 Schild, but grabbed some of the 03 Lynch Bages and 01 Constanti all on tips picked up here. I would like to ask you all advice on what a novice collator but semi-knowledgable drinker should do, not do and anything else you would like to add. Thanks!

input more info...or

taste

buy----don't buy (choose one)

re-taste

buy more----don't (choose)

taste...repeat

taste...repeat

go back to start

this computes

I agree with sfiorare,
Don't bother with theory when you can get plenty of practice. It does not matter what anyone thinks about wine, with the exception of you. Go to tastings, taste it, like it, buy it. Otherwise pass. Experiment, then come around here and compare notes and experience. It does not hurt to ask for a recommendation, its just that the best recommendation is still someone elses opinion.

You will be surprised by how much your preferences might change over time. As you live in San Francisco, you have especially good access to the Napa and Sonoma valleys. This will be good to explore.

However, you should start by trying wines from several different wine regions of the world. As you already subscribe to Wine Spectator, you should use the rating service liberally. My best advice is to spend enough money to get a good representation of many different wines, but don't overspend.

Here is a plan, buy two bottles each of:

French red bordeaux

French white and red burgundy

French Rhone valley

Australian Shiraz, Chardonnay and cabernet.

California Chardonnay and Cabernet

Oregon Pinot noir

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Italian Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo and Chianti Classico

German Riesling Kabinett and Spatlese

Make sure to find a reliable retailer. Consult with the Wine Spectator's wine search and ratings to find examples of all of the above which are rated at least 88 points or higher, but cost $50 or less each. You can also find similar values at $30 or less if you try hard.

This might seem like alot of investment to get stated tasting, but it is better to spend the money needed to really find out what you like.

After you find some wines you wish to collect, then you can explore some specialties, like the Champagne you claim to like, and the vast world of sweet wines, including Port and Sauternes.

Best of luck. I have been collecting for about thirty years. It is a wonderful pursuit. Enjoy.

sf

k&l - bordeaux, italian & etc

wine club - self serve

wine house - alsace

jug shop - chuck, for fun

plump jack - politicin'

Thank you all for your input. I especially appreciate mcdesign's offering and sfiorare's listing of SF shops. I really enjoy all kinds of wine from alsace to zinfandel.

I guess what I would like to know is, aside from WS and this forum, where do you find the bargains? For example, I got a half case of 03 Lynch Bages at $34 per bottle. I have had several vintages of the LB and enjoy it very much and saw a great price. Are there other forums you know of to get, for lack of a better phrase, hot tips on good wine at low prices?

Thank you again, I appreciate all of your comments. And I get up to wine country often, at least once a month.

Invest in a subscription to Winesearcher.com Professional

A wonderful resource for locating great prices, and for checking the pricing of your local retailers. A subscription can pay for itself on your very first great find. Highly recommended!

PH

Thanks PH, I will!

did you buy anything yet?

sfiorare:
I have, thanks to this board and other resources. My modest collection includes:

- A case of 2004 Papapietro Perry Pinot from four different batches purchased from the winery
-6 bottles of Lewis Hudson Valley Syrah 2004 from the winery
-6 bottles of Lynch Bages 2003 from Wine Commune
-6 bottles of 2003 Crozes Hermitage V.V.,
Tardieu-Laurent from Premier Cru
-3 bottles of 2003 Chateau La Tour de Mons from my local wine shop (Blackwell's on Geary & 21st)
-3 bottles and a Magnum of 2001 Brunello Constanti
-6 bottles of 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape Chante Cigale from K&L
-6 bottles of 2003 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor from K&L
-6 bottles of a fantastic 2005 Sinskey Pinot Rose (Local wine shop)

And about another 2 cases of stuff me and the wife have collected over the past year or so. We are also going to a small winery association tasting at Fort Mason on Sunday.

My philosophy is to find quality wines at good prices and build starting this year. Hopefully I will more wines and be able to continue to purchase additional vintages and eventually have verticals of the stuff I like best. I am currently in research and relationship mode.

looks good

what's the name of your local wineshop?

or maybe it's top secret

Not top secret. Blackwell's on Geary and 21st. Great place that has tastings every Saturday, today is Sonoma Pinots.

You need more California wines, NOW!

Try the following Pinot producers for your collection:

Eric Kent
Chasseur
Siduri
Loring

IMHO, you should quickly branch away from the most popular wines (and highest priced) and aim for unique, artisan offerings. Not to mention such wines from CA baby!

Hi, I am from Argentina. In case you are interested in argentine wine Weinert Malbec Estrella 1977 please contact me. You can find some info about it at WS forum (as the best malbec). It has more than 90 points.
My mail is promovinos2006@gmail.com.
Bye
Andres