This list is a suggestion of wines to kick-start your new wine cellar. For ease of math we'll assume 100 bottles. You can start at any number, say 10, and pick from any of the suggested bottles. After all, everyone has favorites.
Red should account for 75%, or 75 bottles, of your wine cellar.
| Region/Type |
# bottles |
| Bordeaux |
23 |
| Red Burgundy |
12 |
| Rhône Valley |
10 |
| Provence/Languedoc |
3 |
| Piedmont/Tuscany |
8 |
| Spain/Portugal |
3 |
| Port/Madeira |
2 |
| California Cabernet |
5 |
| American Pinot Noir |
2 |
| Other domestic reds (see note 1) |
3 |
| Other red table wines (see note 2) |
4 |
Whites should make up 25%, or 25 bottles, of your 100 bottle cellar.
| Region/Type |
# bottles |
| White Burgundy |
8 |
| Alsace Riesling |
3 |
| German Riesling |
4 |
| Champagne |
1 |
| West Coast Chardonnay |
2 |
| Dessert wines (see note 3) |
3 |
| Other white table wines (see note 4) |
4 |
Notes:
- California "Rhône clones," Merlots and Zinfandels; Washington State Cabernets and Merlots.
- Other Italian reds, Cabernet and Shiraz from Australia, Southwest France, the Loire Valley, etc.
- Sauternes and late-harvest wines from the Loire Valley, Alsace and Germany, etc.
- Dry wines from Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, Alsace, Northeastern Italy, Austria, Oregon and Washingon, Australia and New Zealand, etc.
(excerpted from Food & Wine magazine) |