Wine: It’s always a good idea. Who doesn’t enjoy a nice glass of wine after a long work week? But have you considered it as an investment?
Ashley Schram, co-owner of Schram Winery in Waconia, says collecting wine can be not only an investment but also a fun hobby and an amazing gift.
Buy a few bottles for the year a child was born and gift it to them on their wedding day, or purchase bottles of the year someone is married and give it to them for a milestone anniversary. There are so many fun things to do with a wine collection.
She suggests that if people want to collect wine, they start small.
“Determine your budget, goal, and passion,” Ashley says. “The world of wine is large, and it can be overwhelming where to start. Start small and gain confidence as your collection grows.”
Remember that not all wine is meant to age. Although we’ve all heard wine gets better with age, it’s not necessarily true. General manager Andrew Carriger says that 95% of white wines are not meant to age and that most affordable wines are meant to be drunk at a young age.
“All wines have a point where they’re past their prime,” says Andrew. “The wine will still remain delicious but may not be as amazing as it could have been.”
Minnesota wines are complex and delicious, thanks to the cold-hardy grapes.
“It’s still so interesting to see how some of these fairly new varieties age over time,” Ashley says. “We have aged our Marquette wines since our first vintage in 2012 and have opened bottles over the years for library tastings to see how they age. We’ve had some really great years of grape growing, and it shows in the wine over time.”
If you’re interested in collecting wine, Ashley recommends buying multiple bottles of the same wine.
“Four to six is a good number to start with,” she says. “Then you can open a bottle every couple of years and see how the wine continues to develop.”
It’s important to know how to store wine if you’re keeping it over a period of time. This is why some people have wine cellars.
“The area should have little exposure to light,” Andrew says. “Temperature should range from 50-65 degrees and the humidity level of 40-60%. You don’t want your wine to fluctuate in temperature or have the cork dry out.”
Speaking of corks, does it really matter if a bottle of wine has a cork or a screw top?
“Studies have shown that screw caps and glass caps allow wines to age with minimal oxygen exchange,” Ashley says. “A cork is definitely not necessary to enjoy a nice bottle of wine.”
Buying wine can be a little overwhelming. Walk into a liquor store, and you’re faced with aisle upon aisle of wine options. Red or white? Bubbly? Where to begin?
Going to a winery is a great place to start. Visit Schram and try either their Bonfire, Marquette, or Cabernet. These are the most popular of their varieties, and the Marquette blend is a repeat award winner. Schram just released a Smokey Vines Red Blend that’s meant to pair with a cigar.
“It’s a blend of cabernet and merlot with notes of leather, dried roses, tobacco, and caramel,” Ashley says.
Schram is also bringing back a light-bodied red blend this spring - Barnstormer - which they retired many years ago.
“If you’re keeping wine in a cellar, you’ll want to spend at least $40 per bottle as a general rule of thumb,” Ashley recommends. “But only buy wine as an investment if you have a passion for it. No one collects wine to be a millionaire, just to drink like one. There’s always a reason to celebrate.”
https://www.schramvineyards.com/