Collecting wine became a passion of mine early on in my love of wine itself. It was not until my mid-to-late twenties that I began developing an interest in wine. My passion and obsession for wine began after sharing a couple of nice bottles of Amarone at a business dinner, and it has steadily increased ever since! I started by purchasing single bottles—mostly Amarone—which I stored in a wine rack in my kitchen to enjoy on special occasions. As my disposable income grew, so did my purchases, though I largely stuck to Amarone, the wine that originally sparked my interest.
It was not until someone recommended that I shop for wine at the Vintages-only store that used to be on Dundas St. in Erin Mills near Mississauga Rd. that my horizons began to expand. There, I met a lovely product consultant named Maria, who was instrumental in deepening my wine knowledge. She recommended wines to try, encouraged me to find a wine critic whose palate aligned with mine, and shared one of the most important tips for a collector: always buy at least three bottles of any particular wine. The reason for this advice is twofold: (1) having a trusted wine critic helps you select wines you’re likely to enjoy based on their ratings, and (2) purchasing three bottles allows you to track the wine's evolution. You can drink one early to assess its ageability, another further along, and use that experience to determine when to open the remaining bottle(s).
When starting a wine collection, there are several factors to consider. First, where and how will you store your collection? Options include a temperature-controlled cellar built in your home, a wine fridge, or perhaps offsite storage. Second, how much capacity will you need? Lastly, what type of wine should you collect? The latter is often the most difficult to determine. For example, my passion was ignited by Amarone, yet now I rarely drink it at all! Tastes evolve. Many of us start with big, brooding, heavy wines like Amarone that deliver instant pleasure, but over time, preferences often shift to more refined and complex wines.
I personally failed to grasp the importance of building a diverse cellar early on. I concentrated most of my efforts on collecting Amarone and only slowly expanded my horizons. Today, my cellar consists of a wide variety of wines and styles from around the globe, with a focus on dry reds. I also have a particular soft spot for Port, with several hundred bottles of vintage Port in my collection. Additionally, I have a selection of dessert wines from both old and new world producers, with a particular emphasis on Sauternes.
A couple of key factors that helped me discover wines I truly enjoy were attending tastings and finding a group of like-minded wine lovers. Attending tastings gives you the opportunity to try a variety of wines affordably and efficiently. At many events, you can taste the same grape variety from different regions, helping you understand how climate and terroir influence the wine. You also get the chance to try wines and varieties that you may not have otherwise encountered. There truly is no better way to learn about your own palate than by attending as many tastings as possible and experiencing as many wines as you can.
However, a common shortcoming of tasting events is that most of the wines available are typically young. This is where a group of like-minded wine enthusiasts becomes invaluable. Joining or starting a tasting group allows you to share great bottles with others who will truly appreciate them, while also giving you access to taste older, exceptional wines that are not usually available at formal tastings. My personal experience with tasting groups has been invaluable. Some of my greatest friendships in adulthood have emerged through these groups. The wines I have tasted have greatly increased my knowledge and informed many of my purchasing decisions.
Wine is meant to be enjoyed and shared, and sharing it with those who share your passion makes the experience even better. Camaraderie adds greatly to the enjoyment, in my opinion. Over the past two decades, my wine obsession has had a profound impact on my life and has been a tremendous source of enjoyment. I’m also very fortunate to have a partner who shares my passion for wine—although not to the same extent, which is probably a good thing!
In closing, start collecting what you love. Don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t good or that you should drink something different. Wine is subjective; you should always drink what makes you happy. Make a plan for your collection, attend as many tastings as possible, join or start a tasting group, and—most importantly—enjoy the ride!