Food & Spirits
Sponsored by

Whats in your wine cellar?

1,746,106 Views | 12379 Replies | Last: 43 min ago by Chipotlemonger
bularry
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HTownAg98 • 11:30a, 6/16/25
HTownAg98 said:
jh0400 said:
Other wine regions have figured out how to make $20 wine that is high quality. Barbara d'Asti / Alba in the Piedmont, Campo de Borja in Spain, Alsace in France, and Ligure in Italy all come to mind. From a size perspective I'd be shocked if any of them had more acres in production than Texas.

There's roughly 12,000 acres under vine in Texas, depending on your source. By comparison, there's 34,000 planted to Barbera alone in Piedmont, and roughly 15,000 planted in Campo de Borja. And how many people do you know that are looking for either of those wines as compared to Texas wine?
are you asking if I know people that drink Barbera over Texas wine? Because I do and I can point to multiple restaurants in Houston that have Barbera on their menu and not a Texas wine.

Not sure if that's what you were saying or asking....
Reply Quote
Objective Aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:22p, 6/21/25
AG
Just got my 2021 The Mascot offering.

Any thoughts on 2021 vintage?
Reply Quote
jh0400
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:07p, 6/21/25
AG
A quality $20 wine for takeout pizza night.


Reply Quote
1
Objective Aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:36p, 6/21/25
AG
It's amazing some of the finds outside California and France. Italy, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, NZ, Portugal, Spain etc. Personally I have found some amazing Italy finds.
Reply Quote
2
2 edits
HTownAg98
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bularry • 2:45p, 6/22/25
bularry said:
HTownAg98 said:
jh0400 said:
Other wine regions have figured out how to make $20 wine that is high quality. Barbara d'Asti / Alba in the Piedmont, Campo de Borja in Spain, Alsace in France, and Ligure in Italy all come to mind. From a size perspective I'd be shocked if any of them had more acres in production than Texas.

There's roughly 12,000 acres under vine in Texas, depending on your source. By comparison, there's 34,000 planted to Barbera alone in Piedmont, and roughly 15,000 planted in Campo de Borja. And how many people do you know that are looking for either of those wines as compared to Texas wine?
are you asking if I know people that drink Barbera over Texas wine? Because I do and I can point to multiple restaurants in Houston that have Barbera on their menu and not a Texas wine.

Not sure if that's what you were saying or asking....

It's more about how there is one particular area producing one particular wine that makes nearly three times as much wine as the entire state of Texas. And we have a situation in the state where demand for Texas wine outstrips supply by leaps and bounds. So Texas wines are vastly overpriced for what they are simply because of a great demand and supply imbalance as compared to other wine producing regions.
Reply Quote
1
HouseDivided06
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:02p, 6/22/25
AG
Soooo my wife and I enjoy wine but for the most part we get $10-$20 bottles with the occasional $50-$75 splurge. Well we just came into quite a bit of wine when some of our friends downsized their house and didn't want to transfer quite a bit of their wine collection and told us if we came and boxed it up we could have it. So 253 bottles later….a handful of $20-$30 bottles, quite a few $70-$100 bottles, and some more expensive than that including three $500 bottles. I'm still in a bit of shock.

We have a small 24 bottle wine fridge, and our friends gave us a 100 bottle wine rack. I ordered another 100 bottle wine rack but seriously considering a larger wine fridge. I found one on Facebook marketplace that was a scratch and dent but brand new and under warranty (1 year total warranty and 3 year compressor warranty) but is a Chinese brand (not even sure the actual brand, seller just said it's a Chinese brand). So my questions:

1) Is a wine fridge that size really necessary or will wine racks with the bottles stored horizontally really be enough? Racks would never be in direct sunlight but would be in rooms that get sunlight so not like they'll be in a dark closet. Not sure if that makes a huge difference or not

2) Is a Chinese brand a concern if it's under warranty? While I would love to spend the money on a nice wine fridge, we will not be keeping up this level of bottles so don't want to drop $1,500 or more on a nice one. Plus I'm cheap.

3) Is there concern with storing a wine fridge on wood floors? Is there anything we need to place under it to protect the floors or in case of leak/condensation?

Reply Quote
4
Chipotlemonger
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HouseDivided06 • 10:52p, 6/22/25
AG
First off, congratulations on the bounty! That sounds fun. Great problem to have.

Secondly, there are a few follow-up questions that will help with people's answers I bet.

1. Where do y'all live? Storing wine in a closet in Arizona is different than in Buffalo. What temp do you keep the home at? For the drinker wine, the stuff that you know you will get to some time soon and isn't too pricey, it can stay at room temp in general for a short while just fine.

2. What is y'all's throughput drinking wise? If you only drink 1 bottle a week that will take a long time to even make a dent in. If you don't think you can get to all of them in a reasonable amount of time, then a wine fridge sounds a bit more pressing for at least the nicer bottles that you don't want to risk.

*Edited once I reread a couple of your points. I have no personal experience on those wine fridge questions.

What's the general makeup of the bottles?

Reply Quote
1 edit
HouseDivided06
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Chipotlemonger • 1:27p, 6/23/25
AG
Thanks! Definitely a fun problem to have.

1) We are in Dallas. House stays around 77 when we are gone for the day and 72 at night. We did just replace our windows so UV light should be minimized some.

2) Well I anticipate consumption will ramp up given our circumstances now. I drink bourbon most nights but we usually have wine 1-2 nights a week with dinner. Just depends.

For make up, 200 bottles of red, 38 white (mostly chard but some sav blanc and Viognier in there), 11 rose, and 1 sparkling. For the red, 135 bottles of cab, 51 cab sav/cab franc blends, 49 red blends, 37 merlot, 13 pinot noir, 13 tempranillo, 10 syrah. Oldest bottle is 2006 up through I think 2023. Mostly US but some France, Spain, and Italy in there. Pretty crazy. Nicest bottles are 2012 Dalla Valle Maya Cabernet, 2 bottles of Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard Cabernet, 2013 Morlet Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Joli Coeuer, and 6 bottles of Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet. We have 34 bottles of Jack Winery Cabernet of varying years that looks like they range from $165 to $355.
Reply Quote
1
cecil77
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HouseDivided06 • 2:05p, 6/23/25
AG
Wine is not nearly as fragile as we think. Typically a home, in a location that's mostly dark with minor temperature variations will be fine. Bottom of a bedroom closet has the additional benefit if not tempting you!

Temp delta is the killer because it allows the cork to expand/contract and lose it's seal. Rule of thumb is that if you are comfortable, the wine is comfortable.

Biggest no no is a food refrigerator. Rel humidity in a food refrigerator is about 10% and can dry out the corks (the cold temperature doesn't directly affect the wine at all.)

If you buy an inexpensive chiller, invest 5 bucks in a small hygrometer and monitor the humidity. If it's too low (60 or so is preferred but over 40 is ok except for really long term (5+ years). A tray with water (and I used a dense grouting sponge sitting in it) can keep the humidity up just fine.

Lastly, drink it when you want to. The level of wines you have are not necessarily going to degrade much with time, but they're not going to improve enough to worry about either. The finer bottles you have listed the vintages of are probably really good right now. The QC cabs are fine from about 4 years old on.

Lastly open an expensive bottle on a Tuesday night. It's good for the soul.

Reply Quote
5
2 edits
Objective Aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Objective Aggie • 5:38p, 6/23/25
AG
Objective Aggie said:
Just got my 2021 The Mascot offering.

Any thoughts on 2021 vintage?
anyone???
Reply Quote
WestUAg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:13p, 6/23/25
AG
21 is a great vintage in Napa.
20…not great- fire vintage
22- challenging vintage due to the weather, you can find some good wines but there will be less
If those
23- great vintage
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
BigAg95
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to cecil77 • 7:26p, 6/23/25
AG
cecil77 said:
Wine is not nearly as fragile as we think. Typically a home, in a location that's mostly dark with minor temperature variations will be fine. Bottom of a bedroom closet has the additional benefit if not tempting you!

Temp delta is the killer because it allows the cork to expand/contract and lose it's seal. Rule of thumb is that if you are comfortable, the wine is comfortable.

Biggest no no is a food refrigerator. Rel humidity in a food refrigerator is about 10% and can dry out the corks (the cold temperature doesn't directly affect the wine at all.)

If you buy an inexpensive chiller, invest 5 bucks in a small hygrometer and monitor the humidity. If it's too low (60 or so is preferred but over 40 is ok except for really long term (5+ years). A tray with water (and I used a dense grouting sponge sitting in it) can keep the humidity up just fine.

Lastly, drink it when you want to. The level of wines you have are not necessarily going to degrade much with time, but they're not going to improve enough to worry about either. The finer bottles you have listed the vintages of are probably really good right now. The QC cabs are fine from about 4 years old on.

Lastly open an expensive bottle on a Tuesday night. It's good for the soul.



I second all of Cecil's thoughts, but just want to add that I've kept several hundred bottles in my basement on racks (no chiller) for the past 7-8 years and I've never had any issues. It is typically in the upper 60s but has swung between 62-72 at times, and the humidity is typically in the 40-50 range. I've consumed many bottles that have been down there for 5-7 years and they are always spot on. This anecdotal evidence may not help you much being in Dallas with no basement, but the point is well-made wine is not quite as fragile as the wine storage industry makes it out to be.
Reply Quote
1
Texstralian
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HouseDivided06 • 9:52p, 6/23/25
AG
Congrats on the blessing from your friends!

We also live in Texas and I also am of a thrifty mindset (read cheap). Our collection has grown to about 350 bottles and over the years has grown in per bottle cost. As such I felt we needed to invest in a better method for storing wine about 6 years ago. After a ton of research I settled on a stand up freezer with a wine-stat temp controller set at 57 deg. Not sure if this company still exists but any brand of temp controller should likely work. I use an inkbird for similar but short term temp control to set temp for fermenting beer which works well.

I have never messed with the humidity as we live in Texas! I just checked though and it seems to be keeping it around 55%. I've never had any issues with temperature fluctuation. A large stand up fridge or freezer is cheap and well insulated and blocks out all light. It has built in racks designed to hold lots of weight. At 57 deg and full of bottles, it runs infrequently and so vibration is low. If the freezer eventually dies, should be cheap to replace.

For me this has been an excellent solution. Just one Ags experience. Hope this helps.
Reply Quote
3
Chipotlemonger
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to BigAg95 • 11:57p, 6/23/25
AG
I agree it's not as fragile as some might say, but it is a living thing that can get killed if you leave it out on a wine rack next to the kitchen for years, not on its side, and you live in the desert. Just not worth the risk if you've already sunk a fair amount of money into the bottles themselves.

I wish I had a basement cellar like yours, that would be ideal!

Since this poster stumbled upon the stash for free (and hats off to you for that), it's probably fine to roll the dice with a knockoff fridge, just monitor the temp on it, and call it a day.
Reply Quote
1
Chipotlemonger
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Texstralian • 12:00a, 6/24/25
AG
My biggest enemy is humidity. I have a temp controller but the gap it leaves in the door lets it get/stay too dry inside for my liking. Water or sponges inside don't help because of evaporation loss through the gap.

Think I will find a spot to punch a hole through and put the probe in that way for the temp control system I have.
Reply Quote
Texstralian
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Chipotlemonger • 10:01a, 6/24/25
AG
I would think this would help. Mine just doesn't seem to run that much. Which controller do you use. I would think it would have to run more if the temperature differential is greater (ie if the wine fridge was outside vs inside) driving the humidity down.
Reply Quote
cecil77
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:06a, 6/24/25
AG
Interesting stuff.

Leaving the door open on a chiller would tend to increase humidity I think. Ambient humidity in a home is around 40%. I had really good luck with cheap foil pan and grouting sponge, which can soak up a tremendous amount of water. Just had to "water the wine" once a week or so.

The humidity control in the Vinotemps I have turns on the compressor for a period of time prior to turning on the blower, which allows more moisture to condense.

But honestly, for under 4-5 years of storage, it doesn't make much difference, other then the really dry humidity in a food fridge. A wine fridge running at 60 degrees isn't going to be all that much lower than ambient. Note all of this assumes airconditioned indoor storage.
Reply Quote
2
EclipseAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:41a, 6/24/25
AG
Somewhat related ... went to an estate sale last week and the house had a secret room (hidden behind built-in bookcases off the upstairs game room.

Inside that room was a separate wine "cellar" -- complete with a built-in chiller/humidifier and rack storage for 400 bottles ... but it could have held a lot more than that.

Pretty cool space. Wish I had something like that.
Reply Quote
4
htxag09
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
10:52a, 6/24/25
AG
Since we're back on this topic....has there been progress when it comes to garage rated wine fridges?

The offsite storage we use has about doubled in price and have had their own issues in reliable temps so wanting to bring those bottles home.....
Reply Quote
EclipseAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to cecil77 • 11:26a, 6/24/25
AG
cecil77 said:
Lastly open an expensive bottle on a Tuesday night. It's good for the soul.
Words to live by!
Reply Quote
3
JCA1
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to htxag09 • 12:20p, 6/24/25
AG
htxag09 said:
Since we're back on this topic....has there been progress when it comes to garage rated wine fridges?

The offsite storage we use has about doubled in price and have had their own issues in reliable temps so wanting to bring those bottles home.....


No idea on what is or is not rated for a garage, but when I bought my big fridges, I moved my 60-bottle GE to the garage and it's been there for about 5 years now with no problems.
Reply Quote
1
HouseDivided06
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
7:33a, 6/25/25
AG
Well ended up getting a 190 bottle wine fridge. Found one on Facebook marketplace that was from a scratch and dent Amazon reseller. Some dented vents on the bottom that you would never notice. Normally a $1500 wine fridge that I got for $400. Figured it was worth the gamble. Appreciate all the advice and info. Hopefully will be on the thread more as we start to move through the collection.
Reply Quote
8
Chipotlemonger
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HouseDivided06 • 5:05p, 6/25/25
AG
Nice! post pics when you set it up!

My cheap jerry rigged wine fridge has a Johnson A419 temperature controller on it. Unfortunately it is in my garage and therefore I have no ambient humidity control.

After this recent conversation on here, a new summer project is to better seal my fridge up and control the humidity inside it better.
Reply Quote
1
HTownAg98
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:56a, 6/27/25
Wines I've drunk in Reims and Epernay.








Not pictured are the wines we tried at Lanson and Philippe Martin.
Reply Quote
7
FriendlyAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HTownAg98 • 8:59a, 6/28/25
That looks like a fun time!
Reply Quote
1
HTownAg98
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to FriendlyAg • 9:40a, 6/28/25
It was. Although if I were to do it again, I'd only do two tastings a day. After two, your palate is shot especially if you're doing 4+ champagnes at each place.
Reply Quote
4
1 edit
Chipotlemonger
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to HTownAg98 • 11:22a, 6/28/25
AG
Yea, 2 wineries/day is always my recommendation for anyone visiting a wine region like Sonoma or Napa. Best experience that way in my opinion.
Reply Quote
1
aggiesed8r
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
1:25p, 6/28/25
AG
Based on a recent trip, i would say one tasting a day was right for us. Then pick one you liked and take a couple of bottles for dinner that night. Sleep like a baby.
Reply Quote
1
QBCade
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
12:07a, 6/29/25
AG
Happy Saturday all.


Reply Quote
2
WestUAg
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to QBCade • 12:27a, 6/29/25
AG
Did you buy that Harbison from K&L auction site?
Reply Quote
EclipseAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:07a, 6/29/25
AG
I know some of you guys regularly drink some amazing wines, but last night was a real treat for me as a relative newcomer to wine.

Opened a 2015 The Mascot. Very, very good. Silky smooth and full of flavor.

The good news is that I got on the allocation list and recently ordered some more.

Reply Quote
5
JCA1
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to EclipseAg • 9:35a, 6/29/25
AG
EclipseAg said:
I know some of you guys regularly drink some amazing wines, but last night was a real treat for me as a relative newcomer to wine.

Opened a 2015 The Mascot. Very, very good. Silky smooth and full of flavor.

The good news is that I got on the allocation list and recently ordered some more.



That's a great bottle.
Reply Quote
2
QBCade
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to WestUAg • 10:24a, 6/29/25
AG
Yes
Reply Quote
HTownAg98
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiesed8r • 6:42p, 6/29/25
aggiesed8r said:
Based on a recent trip, i would say one tasting a day was right for us. Then pick one you liked and take a couple of bottles for dinner that night. Sleep like a baby.

We did that. You could by all the premier cru champagne you wanted direct from a champagne house for under 35 euros. Most grand cru we got was less than 50 euro. For two of the nights, we pilfered meat, cheese, and bread from the breakfast buffet, stored it in the fridge, and opened a bottle of champagne to go with it for dinner (we had big lunches and weren't really hungry for dinner, and called it our "tax" to the hotel for the WiFi being out). I'm definitely looking to go back soonish, and bringing a couple of wine suitcases.
Reply Quote
1
Objective Aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to EclipseAg • 9:27p, 6/29/25
AG
EclipseAg said:
I know some of you guys regularly drink some amazing wines, but last night was a real treat for me as a relative newcomer to wine.

Opened a 2015 The Mascot. Very, very good. Silky smooth and full of flavor.

The good news is that I got on the allocation list and recently ordered some more.



The Mascot was one of my first nice bottles outside of work dinners. Always a fan. And it's a sentimental favorite.
Reply Quote
First Page Last Page
Page 336 of 354 ▼
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.