Some
Wine Cellar Basics
 Along
with the special occasion wines, it’s important
to have a good selection of “everyday” wines
in your collection. When looking to stock your home
with a basic selection of wines, here are some guidelines:
- Don’t
have expensive wines unless you have a proper cellar.
Or buy them for a special occasion.
- Stay
with light, fresh wines, primarily whites. Two good
basic whites are Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco. I
like the Trebbiano grape, or Sauvignon or Chardonnay.
Then have a French white that costs a little more
but doesn’t break the bank, one with an interesting
flavor, a Sancerre or other Loire. That way you’ve
covered a good range.
- Serve
the Pinot Grigio or Pinot Bianco to start, while you
snack on some olives or a little piece of cheese or
pate. Then go to the Chardonnay if you’re going
to have a light seafood, a squid salad or carpaccio
of tuna. If you have a spicier, more aggressive appetizer,
go for the Sancerre or again, the Chardonnay. If you’re
going on to a pasta or second course, serve a red
wine, but with moderation – something light,
fresh, and crispy.
- For
red wines, look for value, don’t look for the
big name. Try a young Chianti or a French Beaujolais,
or a wonderful Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Carneros
area or from Oregon. Go to a wine store where they
seem sincere about what they are doing, and be straight
about what you’re looking for: Spend eight dollars
on something from Chile, or southern Italy, or Australia,
and educate yourself.
- I
would be very happy to keep a varietal called Barbera
in my home, whether from California or Italy, or a
Regaleali Rosso from Sicily, or a good Chilean Cabernet.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money.
- As
for storage, if you don’t have a cellar, put
the bottles underneath your bed. Or in your closet
where it’s dark. Don’t store it in a wine
rack on top of the refrigerator of just hanging around
the kitchen. After a couple days the sun and heat
exposure will affect it.
Having
a nice selection of wines doesn’t require a lot
of money. Have fun and experiement.
Past
Piero's Wine Notes:
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