1)
Buy inexpensive wine! - This is no brainer. However it can be
a scary proposition. Often times, inexpensive means cheap. Although
low on cash, I refuse to drink cheap, bad wine. Life's too short.
But there is a lot of wine out there that is very good and not very
expensive. How can you tell which are the bargains and which are cheapies?
Go to fundamental number 2.
2) Get to know a region very well - The wine world is a large
as the earth herself. While watching a TV show that was matching food
to wine, I saw how ignorant I was. But I also saw how knowledgeable
I was. The sommelier was making incredible matches with wines from
around the planet. Her depth of knowledge was phenomenal. I know only
Sonoma and Napa Counties' wines. But I know them well. In fact, I
knew them well enough to make, in my estimation, equally solid matches.
As a recipe was presented to her, I made my picks. She would then
pick an obscure Spanish wine. However, the reasons behind her picks
and my picks were exactly the same. Pick a region and get to know
it. Where in France are good whites produced? Are there microclimates
in Chile that produces good cabernets? Where in Australia is a good
Chardonnay? A little bit of homework up front will help prevent you
from picking a dud.
3) Get to know the characteristics of few varietals - When choosing
wines for the frugal cellar, pick wines that are flexible. There are
so many great, interesting wines out there. However, look for wines
that can go with a wide variety of foods. I try to stick with about
five wines each with a unique qualities: 1) citrus 2) melon 3) berry
4) spice 5) earthy. Regardless of the meal, you will find a match.
Cooking Cajun? Go with the spicy wine. Preparing a meal with a hollandaise
sauce? Try the wine with the citrus quality to complement the lemon
in the sauce. These wines can become the basic building blocks for
an exceptional meal.
4) Find a vendor you trust - The Internet is a great place to
go to buy things. However, not every state allows wine to be shipped
into it. Get to know a local storeowner who can work with on building
your cellar. Moreover, there are going to be times when you want to
venture outside you cellar. She/he will be able to direct you to the
prefect wine for the occasion.
