I have the opposite of this 'Oenophobia' and need help!

[Dr Ralph]

Looking at this from the other side as someone new to wine collecting this seems like a really good problem to have.

That's not the way I have looked at it. Potentially ten's of thousands of dollars of wine could have gone to waste.

Nevertheless good job offloading them so quickly, would be a shock to loose such a big % in such a small period of time.

It certainly has been.

But I have a at least one duplicate for every bottle that I have parted with, so the shock has been be lessened.

 

[QF WP]

I can't believe I hadn't seen this thread before now. Great job in reaching out to AFF'ers seeking assistance Dr Ralph and after reading the thread, great to see that many made suggestions (including ones I knew would be made ).

I'm now an avid reader of updates. Wish I had a decent enough cellar space to add to my collection, from your collection.

 

[Dr Ralph]

UPDATE:

About 50 bottles went in December as Christmas presents.

I was overseas for Christmas/New Years so I missed an opportunity to reduce my cellar for the Christmas/New Years celebrations period.

But I had a host of emails/messages waiting for me from restaurants that I had previously supplied and from others that I had either promised to get back to in 2016 or return customers. None have responded with negative comments about wine quality - which is a little surprising given the large number of bottles parted with.

One restaurant has even offered to buy another 1000 bottles. That's not going to happen. But hopefully in 2017 I can see my cellar reduce again.

 

[Basalt]

Can't believe I only just noticed this thread! Very interesting and entertaining read... Reminds me of a discussion I had with SWMBO last year when she asked why I still buy wine when the cellar is 'so full'. Once I explained that the 800 odd bottles (I know, a mere drop in the ocean here) would only last 18 or 19 months at our rate of consumption she soon changed her tune....

 

[Dr Ralph]

Can't believe I only just noticed this thread! Very interesting and entertaining read... Reminds me of a discussion I had with SWMBO last year when she asked why I still buy wine when the cellar is 'so full'. Once I explained that the 800 odd bottles (I know, a mere drop in the ocean here) would only last 18 or 19 months at our rate of consumption she soon changed her tune....

I'd love to be down to 800 odd bottles. Would relieve a lot of anxiety.

But things are certainly a lot better for me since I began this thread 3 months ago.

 

[Basalt]

I'm concerned that many of my wines are over the hill, can appreciate your anxiety! I presume you've got plenty reaching or going past their prime?

 

[get me outta here]

Not being a wine drinker, I read that as, 'I'm concerned that many of my wives are over the hill'.

I'm concerned that many of my wines are over the hill, can appreciate your anxiety! I presume you've got plenty reaching or going past their prime?

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I'm concerned that many of my wines are over the hill, can appreciate your anxiety! I presume you've got plenty reaching or going past their prime?

If you're drinking them at a rate that you turn over your stash in 18 months, I'm not sure how they'd manage to get "over the hill", unless you're buying 20yo wine to start with, or $3/bottle chardonnay. Can you explain?

 

[Dr Ralph]

I'm concerned that many of my wines are over the hill, can appreciate your anxiety! I presume you've got plenty reaching or going past their prime?

That's not a problem just yet. If I stop drinking it will be a problem.

 

[beefarmer]

Can't believe I only just noticed this thread! Very interesting and entertaining read... Reminds me of a discussion I had with SWMBO last year when she asked why I still buy wine when the cellar is 'so full'. Once I explained that the 800 odd bottles (I know, a mere drop in the ocean here) would only last 18 or 19 months at our rate of consumption she soon changed her tune....

Ten botts a week is serious dedication. Well done.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Ten botts a week is serious dedication. Well done.

Ten? Hmm. I manage 6-7 on a normal week, but I suppose I could try to keep up!

 

[Basalt]

If you're drinking them at a rate that you turn over your stash in 18 months, I'm not sure how they'd manage to get "over the hill", unless you're buying 20yo wine to start with, or $3/bottle chardonnay. Can you explain?

Yep, much of the wine bought in recent years is white, rose, bubbles, lighter style reds for immediate consumption - my better half is not much of a fan of the full-bodied reds in the cellar, though that doesn't stop me buying more for long-term cellaring! So problem is a lot of the 10-20 year old wines in the cellar may not last a second night as they can fade and oxidise too much, so I often find myself drinking newly bought pinot, bubbles etc with SWMBO, instead of popping the cork on a tasty old gem and potentially pouring half down the sink the next evening. However we do entertain a lot, so cellared wine often comes out then.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I find putting 1/2 into a 375ml bottle and into the fridge (if hot) will usually make anything last at least one day. Have managed to get even 20+ yo wine to last into day 3. Otherwise, argon is your friend

 

[Dr Ralph]

UPDATE:

Not been a good last two months for reducing the stock pile. Around 40 bottles consumed and around 40 bottles purchased - yes I know but I couldn't help myself!

Last year some AFF members suggested that I sell some of my wine to local restaurants. That strategy worked exceptionally well. I thought I'd throw out some feelers to follow up on another AFF suggestion to reduce my wine stock pile.

Is there any interest in the following:

WENDOUREE IN WOLLONGONG

A Wendouree tasting lunch. All details still open to finalisation, but I was thinking something like I organise a set lunch tapas style menu at a Wollongong cafe by the ocean and supply at least 10 different Wendouree wines for tasting - likely a vertical tasting. To be held on a Saturday or a Sunday. Price is still to be determined.

I've no experience with organising this type of function, but would it be reasonable to assume 10 tastings from one bottle or do people think more or less (10 tastings equaling roughly 75mls each)? This will of course have an impact upon the pricing.

My aim is certainly not to make a profit from this event, but to share the Wendouree experience with those that would appreciate it.

PS. I'm not asking anyone to commit, just looking for potential interest before I went any further.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

By hook or by crook penegal and I will be there if I am in the country Ralphy - even if I have to drag him there by the nose. Set the date and we will try to make it work.

 

[Dr Ralph]

By hook or by crook penegal and I will be there if I am in the country Ralphy - even if I have to drag him there by the nose. Set the date and we will try to make it work.

Wow, wasn't expecting people from interstate to contemplate this!

I'd like to see other reactions before I go too much further.

As for date, I'm reasonably open to suggestions from people. This certainly wont be next weekend. I think it will take some time to organise. But I'm thinking maybe June. If it's not June it wont be until at least October as I'll be in the US for several months in between that time.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

TBH asking for date suggestions will do your head in - June 19 -> I am in Spain - organising AFFers a bit like herding cats Ralphy.

 

[mini2]

Me and +1 would be keen, well at least this will help her understanding my hysteria when the form arrives every year.

 

[Steady]

Sounds like something I would love to get along to.

With a date identified later in the year - October or Novemberish, I should be able to find a way to join in.

I think 10 x 75ml pours is a good amount for me over a 3-4 hour period but everyone is different*, you could get away with 12 x 60ml

*may be way too much for penegal as a light drinker, or not enough for [-]buzz[/-] CE with a little more tolerance

 

[BettyB]

Great idea Dr Ralph

But I think 75 mls is way too much!

If you have 10 bottles of Wendouree and everyone gets 75 mls that means everyone will drink a whole bottle each over the course of the tastings.

I don't think 40 mls is unreasonable.

If you aimed for 15 tastings per bottle that would be 50mls each.