Some simple tips on buying and storing wine

Happy sipping everyone! If you are like us, it's that momentous occasion when you finally buy your first case of wine. You are feeling "How am I ever going to drink this much wine - it's a lot of wine." You are probably right - it is a lot of wine, but it does a couple things for you. If you drink only those 12 bottles the entire year, then you have saved yourself between 10 and 20% on the purchase. That's a good reason enough. You also may get recognized by the store owner as someone who likes wine and then he/she may help you find other good gems in the store or other discounts when you return. It allows you to try a variety. If it's your first case, then consider getting 2 bottles of 6 different wines - maybe 3 reds and 3 whites. You'll be rewarded when a guest shows up and you have that extra bottle on hand. Any hey, many people buy beer in 6 packs, 12 packs, or 30 packs - so why not buy your wine that way.

Okay now on storage. You bought your first case and think you need a special place to store it; like a wine cellar. Nope! You can store the box with the wine on its side in a closet (our first case was stored in a box turned on its side in Rachel's hall closet in a non-air-conditioned apartment in Jamaica Plain, MA). The reality is direct sunlight and constant temperature changes are worse for wine than storing it at room temperature in your house. Most of the warehouses and trucks that wine is shipped in are not climate controlled except for the high end stuff. As novices, we kept a few bottles of a really good 1994 California Cabernet in a rack above our kitchen cabinets and moved them around over several years before drinking. They were coated with some grease and dust, but tasted fine when we finally had them. We don't recommend storing wine this way, but it does show that they are pretty resilient. One last note on storage - do store wine on its side in your house, it keeps the corks wet and expanded for a good seal. If they are screw tops, then it does not matter, but wine, like people, likes to sleep on its side rather than standing up.

Some key things to look at when buying wine - how old is it (vintage), varietal - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, etc., country of origin and producer. In some countries, the region may dictate the varietal such as Burgundy and in others you may find it difficult to find out; especially if it's a blend. We'll try to give this information, as much as it's available to us when we review wines for you.

Drink what you like, like what you drink!

Rachel and Bryan Gavini