We have been offering a tutorial on the basics of wine storage. Each of the sessions is based around one of the "seven sins of cellaring".

While the original construction of these seven sins, was developed as a humorous listing, they do cover the prime aspects of wine cellaring.

Avoid these seven sins and you will find yourself in wine heaven!

Here is our comments on the First Sin

Not having a cellar at all.

The worst of all sins!
First let's clear up the definition of a cellar. In wine terms, a cellar is any place designated for the storing of wine it might be anything from a cupboard to a cavern.

Why should you have a cellar? The answer is that you probably have one. If you are reading this, you enjoy wines. If you enjoy wines, you will have some on hand - you have a cellar.

A longer answer is - Young wine can be delicious, but well-cellared treasures offer wine's greatest delights. A simple cellar makes it possible for you to enjoy mature wines, bought at good prices and open cheap and cheerful wines, without having to rush to the wine shop.

4 rules for creating a stash of wines (a cellar)

1. Decide on the number of bottles you would like to build up to. It has been established that 7 or 8 dozen bottles is the critical mass needed. A collection of anything under this will be subjected to too much interference, generally through hedonistic raiding of the collection, simply because there are not enough wines to choose from.
2. Designate a space, suitable for storing twice this number. No wine enthusiast has ever managed to restrain the final size of a cellar, so when you start - think big!
3. When you find a wine that really appeals, buy extra bottles. You will be spending the money, over the following months, anyway. That appealing wine you come across will be cheaper by the dozen and may not be available when you next seek it out.
4. Before pulling a wine from your cellar remember rule #1. Until you achieve your critical mass of wine, your cellar will always be under threat.
   If you are thinking about creating a cellar to store your wine, and you intend to modify or build something, please seek expert advice before you start. Architects and builders often display an abymismal lack of knowledge in the design and construction of a well insulated cellar.

Seek information from cellar experts.