A Guide to Wine, Food & the Good Life
To subscribe and be notified anytime we post a new article, enter your email address in the box below, then click on Subscribe Now.

Underground Wine Line

Similar Articles:

  1. ED LAZARUS - ONE OF A KIND
  2. JIM CLENDENEN REMEMBERED
  3. STUPID WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  4. DENNIS FOLEY, RENOWNED FIGURE IN THE WORLD OF RARE WINE, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 74
  5. STUPID WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  6. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020!
  7. SURPRISE WINNING WINE IN THE INTERNATIONAL WINE TASTING COMPETITION OF THE CENTURY
  8. WINE & TRUTH
  9. 2018 STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION WINNERS
  10. ATTENTION WINE DRINKERS: THIS BUD’S FOR YOU!
  11. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
  12. BURGUNDY 2018
  13. WHAT DO NUMBERS HAVE TO DO WITH IT?
  14. THE ROSÉ PARADE
  15. BOOK ON ROBERT LAWRENCE BALZER PUBLISHED BY UNDERGROUND'S CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CHRISTINE GRAHAM
  16. A NATIONAL CONTEST TO SEE WHICH 100 POINT WINE WRITER HAS THE MOST CREATIVE WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  17. 2017 STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION WINNERS
  18. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!
  19. NEWS FLASH – HAS FAKE NEWS TAKEN OVER THE WINE GAME?
  20. 2016 STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION AWARD WINNERS AND MORE!
  21. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!
  22. BURGUNDY – 2016 VISIT
  23. YIKES! THE 1000 POINT WINE SCORE IS HERE
  24. CHAMPAGNE DAY 2016
  25. OUTSTANDING OLD MARSANNAY ROSÉS
  26. A MONTE BELLO TOAST TO PAUL DRAPER
  27. THE PERILS OF FARMING – MOTHER NATURE DEVESTATES BURGUNDY
  28. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS ON THE WINE CALENDAR?
  29. THE DAILY MEAL WINERY AWARDS
  30. STUPID WINE DESCRIPTION OF THE YEAR?
  31. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!
  32. ENCORE: DEAR SANTA, WE’VE GOT A LITTLE LIST
  33. BACK TO THE FUTURE
  34. A VIEW OF THE 2015 BURGUNDY VINTAGE IN ADVANCE OF THE ANNUAL UNDERGROUND WINELETTER TRIP TO BURGUNDY TO TASTE THE 2014S
  35. I HATE TO TELL YOU “I TOLD YOU SO” BUT “I TOLD YOU SO!”
  36. WHAT’S IN YOUR WINE GLASS?
  37. MORE ON BIB WINE
  38. THE JUDGMENT OF MOSCOW
  39. ROSÉ WINES AND THE GREAT ROSÉS OF PROVENCE
  40. A SHOT OUT OF THE BLUE: WE HAVE A NEW ENTRY IN THE WINE INGREDIENT LABELING DERBY
  41. PREMOX: “WHEREFORE ART THOU?”
  42. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!
  43. PREVIEW: ALONG THE BUGUNDY TRAIL VINTAGE 2013
  44. CAUTION! WHAT’S IN YOUR WINE?
  45. FOR THE LOVE OF ROSÉS
  46. THE BEST WINERIES IN AMERICA - THE TOP 4 ARE FROM CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST!
  47. STOP THE PRESSES! THERE IS A NEW SCORING SYSTEM!
  48. WINE WRITING – WHAT IS IT?
  49. POLYESTER WINES
  50. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!
  51. THE UNDERGROUND IS BACK!
  52. CALLING TIME OUT
  53. ROSÉ - IT’S TIME HAS COME
  54. ARE NUTRITIONAL LABELS COMING TO ALCOHOLIC DRINKS?
  55. THE BLENDING GAME: ROSÉ & MORE
  56. ATTENTION ALL WINE CONSUMERS: WINE INGREDIENT LABELING IS HERE!
  57. EXCLUSIVE NEWS FLASH!
  58. THE GREATER FOOL?
  59. DOMAINE ALBERT GRIVAULT
  60. TASTING WINE VS. DRINKING WINE - IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?
  61. A PAIR TO DRAW TO & A GUIDE FOR WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN WINES THAT ARE FOOD FRIENDLY, BALANCED, AND CAPABLE OF AGING FOR AN EXTENDED TIME
  62. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!
  63. THE UNDERGROUND HISTORY AS WE BRIEFLY LOOK BACK AND THEN CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
  64. BYE BYE BIG KAHUNA
  65. A LOOK AT NV CHAMPAGNE – IS IT REALLY DIFFERENT THIS TIME?
  66. FAKE WINES IN CHINA - THE BEAT GOES ON
  67. 2011 BURGUNDY – THE SURPRISE VINTAGE
  68. THE MARRIAGE BLEND
  69. LOOKING FOR OLD WINE WITH IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE?
  70. WINE FRAUD AND A WINE DETECTIVE - THE STORY OF DON CORNWELL
  71. HISTORIC VINEYARD SOCIETY
  72. DON’T GET YOUR KNICKERS IN A TWIST!
  73. THE BLENDING GAME - IS IT TIME FOR THREE BUCK CHUCK?
  74. EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN DYING TO KNOW ABOUT NEWLY RELEASED CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAYS!
  75. COUNTERFEIT WINE AND THE ROLE OF CHINA
  76. THE JUDGMENT OF PRINCETON
  77. WHEN TO TASTE, DRINK, & ENJOY YOUNG WINES & WHAT ABOUT ROSÉ?
  78. THE VINEYARD OR THE WINEMAKING? WHAT REALLY MATTERS?
  79. BLENDING GAME PREVIEW
  80. PREDICTING THE FUTURE!
  81. AMATEUR NIGHT AT THE WINE FOLLIES: THE ANSWER WAS LYING IN PLAIN SIGHT
  82. THE PERFECT WINE?
  83. ATTENTION COSTCO WINE SHOPPERS: WHEN IS A ROSÉ NOT A ROSÉ?
  84. NAPA VALLEY WINES – JUST WHEN I THOUGHT WE HAD SEEN EVERYTHING!
  85. THE WINE FRAUD STORY – THE BEAT GOES ON!
  86. DO WINE AND TOILET PAPER HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?
  87. WINE JUSTICE STRIKES!
  88. FOODIES FIGHTING FOR FOIE!
  89. CALLING ALL WINE INVESTORS
  90. ONE WINEDRINKER’S OBSERVATIONS OVER NEARLY 30 YEARS: TWO FACES OF FRAUD? MORE TO COME?
  91. NEWS FLASH -- NEW ALCOHOL WARNING LABELS FOR WINE MAY SOON BE ISSUED!
  92. ROSÉ IS THE PERFECT ANTI WINE
  93. AN ENIGMA WRAPPED IN A RIDDLE – CAN AN UGLY DUCKLING BECOME A SWAN?
  94. STOP THE WINE PRESS! THE FBI HAS MOVED TO STOP WINE FRAUD!
  95. 2004 WHITE BURGUNDIES: PREMOX OR NOT? THE BEAT GOES ON!
  96. GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS
  97. WHAT’S ULLAGE GOT TO DO WITH IT? - THE CURIOUS CASE OF 1928 LA GAFFELIÉRE NAUDES
  98. LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE!
  99. WINE FRAUD – LIGHTNING STRIKES!
  100. WINE FRAUD – CAVEAT EMPTOR!
  101. BIRDS OF A FEATHER - LAUGHABLE WINE DESCRIPTIONS
  102. TIS THE SEASON!
  103. WHAT’S IN YOUR WINE BOTTLE?
  104. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!
  105. A NEW WINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS THAT HAS EVERYONE BUZZED
  106. WHAT IS A WINE CONSUMER TO DO?
  107. IS IT DRINK NOW AND PAY LATER? YOU BET YOUR SWEET BIPPY, BUT BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!
  108. BE THE MASTER OF YOUR DOMAIN!
  109. TAKE A DIFFERENT VIEW THAT IS EASY ON YOUR PALATE AND ON YOUR WALLET
  110. ALONG THE BURGUNDY TRAIL - OCTOBER 2011
  111. Z IS FOR ZINFANDEL
  112. A NOTE FROM DARRELL CORTI
  113. THE BIRDS ARE STILL FLOCKING – WATCH OUT BELOW!
  114. SOME MORE BIG HOUSE RELATIVES PAY A VISIT TO THE UNDERGROUND
  115. WINE & CLOSURE
  116. YIKES! THE TIDE MAY BE GOING OUT SOON! WHO’S SWIMMING NAKED?
  117. WHAT IS WINE?
  118. HALLELUJAH!
  119. BLENDING GAME -- BLENDING MAN TO THE RESCUE
  120. HEARD ON THE GRAPEVINE
  121. NOW APPEARING AT A STORE NEAR YOU - DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA STARRING MALBEC & TORRONTES
  122. BLENDING PARTY – A NEW TWIST – FLASH DASH – WHAT'S IN YOUR GLASS?
  123. BBBB TRIBUTE
  124. OMG - IS IT THE END OF THE WORLD OR NOT?
  125. TAKE THE WINE CHALLENGE - BLENDING IS YOUR FRIEND!
  126. THE BORDEAUX ROAD AHEAD - A BUBBLE, A SPEED BUMP, OR BLISS?
  127. HERE AT LAST – BEYOND 100 POINTS – NIRVANA!
  128. BIRDS OF A FEATHER…
  129. FLASH! BIG NUMBERS WINE CRITIC ISSUES REPORT ON 2009 BEAUJOLAIS
  130. SPÄTBURGUNDER – WHAT IS IT?
  131. PINOT GRIS. IT'S FOR ME. DO YOU KNOW PINOT GRIS?
  132. THE BEAT GOES ON AND ON … “SUM YUNG VINE” X 2
  133. AND THE BEAT GOES ON…
  134. 100-POINT WINES – GET ‘EM WHILE YOU CAN!
  135. STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE!
  136. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! IT'S TIME TO GIVE THANKS AND ENJOY FOOD AND WINE!
  137. WOW! 2009 RED BURGUNDIES. STAY TUNED!!
  138. TIME TO GET INTO BEAUJOLAIS!
  139. A BARGAIN AT WHAT PRICE?
  140. VINOUS DRIVE-BY -- IT'S THE DRIVE-BY SIP AND SPIT!
  141. WINE TASTING OF THE MILLENNIUM
  142. ANSWER TO WINE TASTING OF THE MILLENNIUM
  143. PAST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
  144. DEAR SANTA, WE'VE GOT A LITTLE LIST
  145. THE UNDERGROUND IS BACK!
  146. WHY THE “UNDERGROUND” WINELETTER? ARE WE TERRORISTS?

STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE!

John Tilson • 12/13/10        Print This Post Print This PostComment Bookmark and Share

In real estate, it’s location, location, location. In wine, it’s storage, storage, storage.

You see in real estate, for no matter how bad the building, location wins over development because a better building can always be built. Whereas, a poor location will not support a great building, and may not support a building at all. In wine it’s storage where even mediocre wine will be better if stored properly. And, even great wine will be ruined by poor storage. So, just as in real estate, in wine, location matters. The moral of the story: Never invest in wine, particularly really good wine, without first investing in really good storage. To do so is being penny wise, and pound foolish!

Sadly, I can relate story after story of great wine being spoiled because the owner did not invest in ideal storage. And, I am proud to say that when I began collecting wine nearly 40 years ago, I invested in really good storage first. That left less money to buy wine, but it assured that the wine I was buying would be, in later years, as good as it could be. I have been drinking those wines, including some of the first ones I bought, for many years and have enjoyed the benefits of the investment in storage. And, I have some of those first purchased bottles still left to drink along with many others acquired over the years. Wines from my cellar are consistently at least as good or better than the same wines from other sources. Today, they are resting quietly in a very cold, damp, dark, underground cellar assuring that they will continue to offer the promise of being as good as they can be for many years to come.

Dennis Foley’s article on storage goes into great detail about what is needed for optimum storage. If you have not already read it and are collecting wine I strongly recommend that you read it (to read the article click here).  And, while a lot of people understand light, heat, fluctuating temperatures, and constant movement are enemies of wine, fewer understand the need for proper humidity. But, in my view, high humidity is essential for long term aging. Old bottles are only as good as their corks. If the cork goes, then so does the wine. Humidity helps preserve the corks and also aids in cooling. From a practical standpoint, one should aspire to a level of humidity that is just short of mold creation. This alone is probably undesirable for most people, but mold also destroys the labels on the bottles. However, in many producer’s cellars, wines are stored without labels in marked bins so mold is not a problem. In fact, in many of these cellars (particularly in Burgundy), old bottles are covered in mold. (Then, before they are sold, the bottles are cleaned and new labels and capsules added.) While this type of storage is ideal, it is not suitable for wine collectors who have no way to replace labels destroyed by mold (particularly in this day of wine fraud which makes getting replacement labels all but impossible). Without labels, it would be very difficult for most people to identify their wines.

Albert Givton’s article on the Domaine de la Romanée Conti wines speaks yet again to the point of storage (to read the article click here).  The wines which were opened at his event would not have been nearly as good (and maybe even spoiled and undrinkable) had they been subjected to mediocre or poor storage. So always remember when buying older wine, it is important to know how the wine was stored. And, while appearance may tell you something, it does not tell you nearly as much as knowing the provenance. Some people obsess about “fills” and “perfect” labels, but given a choice, I’d take a lower fill bottle with a less than perfect label from a known cellar with ideal conditions, over a higher fill bottle with a perfect label from unknown provenance. If you are going to pay increasingly large sums of money for old bottles, you need to know their history to know whether they are likely to be what they should be and whether or not they are authentic. Avoid “perfect” bottles of very old, well known, expensive bottles of wine unless you know their history. These are likely to be fakes. But, the same can be said about being careful in buying young wines. Make sure the wine has not been subjected to excessive heat by only buying wine from dealers and producers who ship their wine under temperature controlled conditions.

In short, as with most things, “caveat emptor” prevails in buying wine. And, with old wine the old saying is absolutely true – there is no such thing as a great wine, only great bottles. Optimum storage assures that you have the greatest chance of experiencing a great bottle of a great wine!

In Vino Veritas,

John Tilson

Post a Comment

2 comments for “STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE!”

  • Dr. Ron Light says:

    My California wine verticals go back,some over
    30 years.The wines mostly have come directly
    from the wineries.They then have slept for over
    all those years without movement in the conditions John and Dennis have outlined in their articles.Many of them are then donated or
    sold to various groups and overwelmingly the info back if I have not attended the tastings,
    have nothing but VERY positive comments! My luck has been considerably less than 5% bottle
    problems.Corked bottles have NOT been a problem
    nor have the wines including Chardonnay been
    anything but very interesting and a real learning experience. Storage is the key to this
    enjoyment. Put those bottles to sleep and let then age gracefully. RON

    • John Tilson says:

      You are exactly right Ron. My experience is similar except I also have lots of very old wines which have stayed in great condition for as much 40 odd years. And, we have shared wines from both of our cellars at the Norm Mini tasting dinners as well as wines from Ed Lazarus (who also has great storage) and all the bottles were in perfect condition after 30-40 years! Storage, storage, storage is the only answer!

      In Vino Veritas,
      Johjn

  • Post a Comment

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published.