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A discolored cork shows that this wine may have gone bad

How Do I Check for Signs That Wine Has Gone Bad in Storage?

FAQ, Storing WineBy Vinfolio Staff November 29, 2016

The distinctive smells of a wine that has gone bad—often reminiscent of moldy wet newspaper and acetone—are the last things anyone wants to experience when they uncork a bottle of fine wine. However, you can sometimes spot the telltale signs that wine has gone bad in storage before you even open the bottle. Knowing how to spot common red flags is a great way to avoid buying spoiled bottles on the secondary market. It can also warn you of potential storage issues so you can correct any problems before they ruin the other bottles in your collection.

Going All-In: How to Turn Your Wine Collecting Hobby into a Career

Buying Wine, Education, WinemakingBy Harley Hoffmann November 28, 2016

Have you ever wanted a career in the wine industry? This lofty-sounding goal is more attainable than you might think. Take winemaker Michael Dashe. More than a decade ago, he was an abalone diver who had only a passing interest in wine. One day, winemaker Bob Roudon asked if he could trade some wine for…

So You Bought a Bad Wine at Auction? Here’s What You Can Do

Auction, Buying Wine, CollectingBy Ryan Brignole November 26, 2016

A year ago, I was having dinner at one of my favorite wine bars in town when I noticed that the owner looked a little morose. I’d known him for two years, and he was usually boisterous and optimistic–that night, he seemed distracted and cranky. I asked him how he was doing, and he said,…

Tasting Boot Camp Week Three: Finding Secondary Flavors in Wine

Education, Enjoying Wine, TastingBy Ryan Brignole November 25, 2016

One quality separates a refined palate from an amateur: the ability to detect secondary and tertiary flavors in wine. A big reason why most professionals are able to pick out these subtle notes is because they are more familiar with the winemaking process than a layman who only occasionally imbibes. Unlike the primary flavors that…

What Are the Running Costs of a Wine Fridge Compared to a Home Cellar?

FAQ, Storing WineBy Vinfolio Staff November 23, 2016

My parents live next door to a man who adores Burgundy; he’s been to the region three times in the past decade alone. One day, my mom asked him whether he was planning another trip soon. He answered, “No, but I have something even better planned: the best wine cellar you’ve ever seen!” As the…

How to Protect Wine Provenance: A Step-by-Step Guide to Tracing Your Wine’s History

Buying Wine, Collecting, Investing, Storing WineBy Harley Hoffmann November 21, 2016

Collectors often assume that a wine’s provenance doesn’t matter once they’ve bought their bottles and stowed them away in their cellars. This might be true if they only plan on drinking the wine, but if they want to resell the bottle later, the wine’s provenance still has a long way to go. I’ve bought bottles…

Tips for a Successful Wine Auction Purchase: Look for the Red Flags Your Seller May Have Missed

Auction, Buying Wine, CollectingBy Vinfolio Staff November 18, 2016

Sometimes, sellers will put a bad wine case up for auction without realizing there’s anything wrong with it. Take premox for example; unless you open one of the bottles, it’s not immediately apparent when a case of wine has been impacted. A collector might naively invest in a vintage that’s notorious for premox problems, keep…

Wine Auction Ethics: Should You Sell Bottles with Flaws?

Auction, Buying Wine, Selling WineBy Ryan Brignole November 16, 2016

A few years back, I invested in a case of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that I hadn’t personally tried, thinking it would be as good as the previous New Zealand vintages I’d sampled. Later, I opened the first bottle and discovered that I absolutely hated it. The wine tasted flabby and dull, and I thought…

wine storage options and the size of my collection

Do My Wine Storage Options Depend on the Size of My Collection?

Collecting, FAQ, Storing WineBy Derek Cienfuegos November 15, 2016

Wine collections grow like bamboo; if you’re not careful, your bottles will easily take over every empty space in your house, and then some. I once knew a collector who started off with a modest smattering of Bordeaux tucked away in a cool, dark pantry cabinet. Months later, and two more cases deep, he realized…

How to Avoid Buying Prematurely Oxidized Wines at Auction

Auction, Burgundy, Buying Wine, CollectingBy Ryan Brignole November 14, 2016

Premature oxidation (premox) catches even the most seasoned wine collectors by surprise, and it’s easy to accidentally invest in an oxidized case at auction. Collector Billy Grippo has an expansive collection containing several thousand bottles at a time, and even he’s fallen victim to premox wines. Grippo explains, “A lot of people put their wines…

identifying herb and floral flavors in wine

Tasting Boot Camp Week Two: Identifying Floral and Herb Flavors in Wine

Education, Enjoying Wine, TastingBy Vinfolio Staff November 11, 2016

Even seasoned collectors feel insecure about their palates once in awhile. For the longest time, my Achilles heel was herbal notes. I could easily pinpoint dark fruit, citrus, and lavender, but grass, thyme, and eucalyptus always seemed to evade me. It wasn’t because those flavors weren’t there–I’d read multiple tasting notes that all picked up…

Hidden Gem of the Month: 2010 Pegau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee da Capo Is Ready for a Popularity Boom

Buying Wine, Collecting, France, Producers and Wineries, RhoneBy Ryan Brignole November 9, 2016

I often take for granted the fact that I am a relatively young collector. When I see that a wine will last 30 or more years in a cellar, I’m giddy with excitement; I know I’ll get to see that wine evolve completely and reach peak maturity. However, older collectors view these long-lived wines differently.…