So, you want to be a wine collector? With stories floating around about bottles selling for thousands of dollars from the cellars of some of the greatest collections, it’s easy to get inspired by the idea of turning a passion into a real investment opportunity. But what does it actually take to start collecting wine?
To learn a little bit more about building a wine collection, I asked three local South Florida experts for some tips and advice.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COLLECT WINE?
If we start with the basics, we need to understand the difference between collecting wine and simply buying wine.
“Buying wine is often about immediate consumption,” said Matthieu Yamoum, owner of Maison MURA in Downtown Miami. “Collecting wine involves intentionally building and holding a selection of bottles over time, whether for aging, enjoyment, or investment.”
(Romain Maurice)
When it comes to starting a wine collection, Matthieu Yamoum, owner of Maison MURA in Downtown Miami, says, “Start with wines you love, not wines you think you’re supposed to love.”
“And one key aspect of that is that the best wines, especially reds, improve with age,” said Nick Jackson MW, Master of Wine and wine importer based in South Florida. “So, you are deliberately holding wines back from consumption, so they improve.”
HOW TO START YOUR COLLECTION FROM SCRATCH
Without any prior experience as a collector, how would one know where to start when picking out bottles to save?
Yamoum approaches his clients with a question first: “’What do you like to drink?’ The most important thing is understanding your own taste profile.”
“I truly think anyone can start a wine collection,” said Jacqueline Pirolo, managing partner and beverage director at Macchialina and Bar Bucce. “If a person is into a style of wine, or a wine from a specific region, that is the jumping-off point.”
As far as the regions offering the best value for new collectors right now, Nick Jackson MW, Master of Wine & wine importer, says, "Anything from Spain, Portugal, Germany, or Greece."
Jackson echoes that sentiment and adds some specific regions to seek out.
“If you like Cabernet, Napa; if you like dry European reds, Bordeaux and Barolo; if you like sparkling, Champagne.”
When asked how many bottles of each wine you should buy to add to your collection, the answer was unanimous among the experts.
“I recommend buying at least three bottles,” said Yamoum. “Open one young to understand the wine’s character, then revisit the others over time. Tasting the same wine every three to five years is a wonderful way to track both the wine’s evolution and your own palate.”
REGIONS TO CONSIDER
If you’ve narrowed down the styles that you like, you might want to think beyond those bottles to other places that produce ideal collectable wines, or even some underrated regions that offer value for new collectors.
Jackson recommends the benchmarks.
“The wine regions whose wines really improve with age are the classics: Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône Valley (all France); Piedmont and Tuscany (Italy) and Rioja (Spain) and the Douro Valley (Portugal).”
For Pirolo, it’s less about underrated regions and more about ageable whites.
“Ribolla-Gialla, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling, and Viura are a few awesome white varietals whose character changes with some aging. Don't sleep on aging vintage champagnes too!”
And the region that every collector should have in their cellar? Yamoum said Bordeaux.
WHERE TO BUY COLLECTABLE WINES
It’s not hard to buy a bottle of wine these days. But if the plan is to add to a collection, the place where you buy your wine matters a lot. All three experts agree that you should always buy from a trusted retailer or sommelier.
Pirolo says you should always know where the wine comes from and make sure it was shipped in a temperature-controlled truck. The bottle should also be laid down so that the wine is in contact with the cork, preventing the cork from drying out, which can negatively impact the wine.
“Seek guidance from experienced professionals, collectors, and trusted merchants, because provenance matters,” said Yamoum. “You want confidence that the wine has been properly stored and sourced.”
Which leads us into the next question…
HOW DO WE STORE WINE IN HOT SOUTH FLORIDA?
An improperly stored bottle can be the difference between a great investment and a big waste of money.
When it comes to protecting your collection, Jackson emphasized, “Storage, storage, storage. You need temperature-controlled conditions, either a wine fridge at home, or better, professional storage that will ensure your wine is not exposed to light or heat. Fifty-five degrees is ideal.”
“For short-term storage, a kitchen fridge is generally fine for whites and sparkling wines,” Yamoum said. “Long-term storage in locations with fluctuating temperatures, light exposure, or vibrations can negatively impact wine quality.”
“If your rack is away from windows and you keep your house relatively cool, it can be ok,” said Pirolo. “But wine collecting is an investment, so if you have expensive bottles that you purchased and you're looking to age them, their longevity is at risk without proper storage.”
WINE COLLECTION REALITY CHECKS
Whether your goal is investment or simply keeping wine for enjoyment, our experts have some final words of advice to share.
“Many people think they need to have everything figured out from day one,” said Yamoum. “In reality, collecting evolves over time. Your tastes and goals will naturally develop as your experience grows.”
“Never get high on your own supply,” Pirolo warned. “If you're looking to make money, you've got to really be reading a lot about prized vintages, buying a good amount, storing it properly, wrapping labels for protection, and then selling.”
“Technically yes, you can put any bottle in a cellar, but it may not improve,” said Jackson. “A better approach is to have wines on hand that are ready to go while you are waiting for the young wines to mature.”
And my thoughts: The journey of discovery in wine is what makes it fun. Use each bottle as an opportunity to learn, and build your collection based on curiosity and desire. Forget the numbers for a minute and think about each of your bottles as moments shared with others – whether you have experienced them already, or they're part of your future. This makes your collection forever invaluable.
Jacqueline Coleman is a wine and travel writer and Star Wine List’s ambassador in Miami. She is a contributor to Luxury Guide USA magazine, a regular guest host on Linda Gassenheimer’s “Food, News & Views” podcast, and founder of BYOBMiami.com.
