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From: thomux@abnjh.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.wines
Subject: Re: Need advice on starting a wine cellar
Message-ID: <199@abnjh.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Jul-83 10:32:21 EDT
Article-I.D.: abnjh.199
Posted: Fri Jul 15 10:32:21 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Jul-83 05:48:24 EDT
References: hou5e.657
Lines: 30

The main conditions that a good wine cellar should provide are darkness and
avoidance of temperature extremes and variation.  Humidity is not a major
factor unless it approaches the absolute extremes.  Ideal cellar temperature
is about 55 degrees, but more important is the avoidance of rapid temperature
fluctuation.  Over the course of several months the temperature could vary
from, say, 45 to 75 (e. g. winter to summer) with no risk to the wine.

The '78 and '79 vintages of red Bordeaux would be excellent choices for
starting a cellar.  The particular chateaus to buy is based mainly on how
much you want to spend.  Both years (more so the '79's) can be drunk now,
but are at least 5 years away from their peak.  The better ones will improve
over an even longer period.  When the '82 vintage becomes available, it is
projected to be an outstanding year that will be long lived.

The German wines (as with most white wines in general) can not be cellared
as long, with the exception of the later pickings, e.g. Auslese, Beerenauslese,
etc.  The last outstanding vintage was '76.

Although there are exceptions to everything, I wouldn't buy any sparkling
wines that you don't plan to drink within a year.

I would also recommend looking into Italian Chianti Classico, Brunello, and
Barolo, as well as Spanish Rioja.  These are excellent wines that will age
well, and can be bought at much lower prices than most French Bordeaux and
Burgundies.

				Good luck,

				Eric Thom
				ABI--Morristown, NJ