Climadiff tips for building your first winery

Creating a wine cellar can seem a daunting task, especially when faced with the abundance of choices available. To help you get started and effectively manage your precious bottles, here are Climadiff 's tips for building your first cellar:

1. Taste Before You Buy

To get off to a good start, concentrate on wines you've already had the opportunity to taste, whether in restaurants, with friends, at wine merchants or at wine fairs. Get into the habit of writing down the references of the wines you like, or photographing the bottles. This will help you remember the wines you like and find them for your collection.

2. Don't buy just one bottle

When you like a wine, buy three or more bottles. This will enable you to follow the wine's evolution over time and better manage its aging. You'll be able to identify the ideal time to enjoy it to the full.

3. Diversify

Your cellar should contain both wines to age and wines to enjoy now. Make sure it's varied, by selecting wines from different regions and in different colors. The aim is to have options for different tasting occasions and food pairings.

4. Prioritize Quality over Quantity

Build your cellar gradually, focusing on quality rather than quantity. Start with around fifty bottles and diversify as your tastes evolve. A small collection of quality bottles will be more satisfying and easier to manage than a large quantity of less interesting ones.

5. Use a Cellar Book or Good Memory

To manage your cellar efficiently and avoid running out of bottles to enjoy, it's important to know what you have in stock. Ideally, you should use cellar management software to keep track of your inventory and replenish the vintages you consume regularly. La Sommelière offers its own cellar management software to help you organize and update your collection.

By following these tips, you'll be able to build a well-thought-out wine cellar that will bring you pleasure and satisfaction for many years to come.