My friend just moved into an amazing loft in St Louis. The kitchen has a wine fridge, so what’s the problem?

Joe's wine fridge

Well my friend, ok his name is Joe, needs some help in stocking this new appliance. If it were a keg-erator, he’d have no questions…

So here are some guidelines (contrary to what some have written, there are no rules here)

Set a budget for each wine shopping trip, both in total dollar amount and how many bottles. You don’t want to run out of room in the unit too soon. Know your drinking patterns, and shop accordingly.

For smaller units, concentrate on your favorite wines. Please don’t buy a French Sancerre because the ‘wine-shop-snob’ insists that no cellar can be considered complete with out one.  With that in mind, I know that Joe likes Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel. I’ll suggest he buy 4 bottles of each, mix up the regions, and select within his price range. Wha-la, he now has a case of wine, and stuff that he likes!

Pinot Noirs 3 price ranges

So, why only 12 bottles the fridge holds 26? Remember, I said stay within budget and being a new apartment, folks will be bringing him house warming gifts, and he’ll need room in the wine fridge for those bottles. The biggest mistake is cramming your cellar to the max and you have no wiggle room for new purchases or GIFTS!!!

When he starts drinking these wines, he’ll go back to the wine shop, decided which direction he wants to take next. He’ll talk to the ‘wine-shop-snob’ again, and be able to select more bottles, and possibly expand his repertoire, who knows, he may be ready for the Sancerre!

So, you see, starting to purchase wine doesn’t have to be a daunting experience, take it 12 bottles at a time.

Cheers!