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

[Dr Ralph]

I’m not sure if this counts but I have been stopped buying high rating/review wines for over 6 months besides the ones from mailing/club list. Tyrrell’s , sami odi,Marius ,wendouree and noon. Plus some Italian from overseas trip. My total spending in 2017 was less than $5K. Which is a lot less than 2016

'I have been stopped buying'

You've stopped buying or someone has imposed a ban on your buying?

 

[afro]

i was trying to buy less, no one ban me or force me to

 

[Dr Ralph]

Astonishingly I've made it to the end of January and not purchased a single bottle!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Astonishingly I've made it to the end of January and not purchased a single bottle!

Still half a day left!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Still half a day left!

Would take a mighty good discounted product to see me buy in the next 10 hours

 

[QF WP]

Nicely done @Dr Ralph, hope it has continued. It must have been an unconscious agreement between us, because I went cold turkey on buying in November and am still drinking through my wines with some still to leave my office (delivery point) and make it home. The largest reason for my lack of purchasing was the need to replace my 2 wine fridges - that put a decent dent in the available funds.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Well I cracked this month. Bought a 6 pack of 2008 Elderton Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon. At $50 a bottle I couldn't resist.

But at just 6 bottles purchased for 2018 I'm hoping a trend has been set.

Harassed by a cafe owner that I've been selling to for more stock and a request that I no longer sell to anyone else but him. Supplied 100 bottles, but declined the request.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Well over a year since I've updated this thread.

Most of the strategies I have for reducing the stockpile are still working out.

One restaurant takes about 500 bottles a year. About 20% of that value comes to me in the form of credit to use at that restaurant, the rest is in cash.

I've certainly been buying a lot less than I did when I started this thread. But I haven't stopped. I don't know that I could stop.

The opportunity of a bargain is why I frequently buy now. I can't see this stopping.

It has become easier to get rid of my stock over the past 4 years. Once word got out and I started supplying some people, I've been contacted by others who had heard about the opportunity to buy aged wines at a reasonable price. I do find it strange as to exactly the reasons why some people choose to buy from me and not seek out wine at other more regular places. I have had some very interesting customers over the last 12 months, including a former vice chancellor of a university and a former governor! Some of their wants I just couldn't supply!

 

[Major]

I can't believe it's more than 3 years since you started this thread.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I can't believe it's more than 3 years since you started this thread.

Yes, started in October 2016. In the first post I stated:

"have calculated that I have more wine than I can drink in my lifetime (based upon a calculation that I drink 3 bottles of wine a week and I live until I'm 100)."

I started the thread in the hopes of getting some useful advice about how to reduce my wine stock pile.

It was primarily due to some of the excellent suggestions AFF members provided that my stock pile has reduced significantly!

I'm still happy to receive any other brilliant ideas to reduce the stock pile that people have, as my annual wine reconnoiter indicates I currently have enough wine to last me until I'm 85!

 

[juddles]

......I'm still happy to receive any other brilliant ideas to reduce the stock pile that people have, as my annual wine reconnoiter indicates I currently have enough wine to last me until I'm 85!

Hi there Dr Ralph,

Just stumbled across this thread via another - and I have enjoyed it immensely. To be honest, mainly out of envy? I mean that in the positive sense of the word.

I love wine, I love obtaining things at great prices, and I also love the sense of security of having a stock of provisions for the future.... but a wine collection is something I have been unable to attempt. I frequently change house/postcode/country and so having a decent stash of wine is simply an impossibility for me. Hence the "envy" of your situation - I yearn for such stability - it may one day come to me. I share these thoughts to express my admiration of the positive side of your predicament

I have no brilliant ideas, but one thing I learnt once regarding collections of anything is that a great ideology is to focus on quality (or rarity or personal likes) rather than quantity. The basic rationale here is that it is better to have 10 "quality" items rather than 100 "average" ones. A way to do this in the collecting world is to swap a larger number of what you rate less for a smaller quantity of something you rate more highly. Maybe, just maybe, you could find (through AFF or elsewhere) similar collectors and, for example, trade two of your cases of "X" for a single case of their "Y". This has the benefit that you are not "selling" and thus sheer dollar value is not a factor.

Probably just a fanciful idea, but wanted to try to help

 

[Dr Ralph]

Some time since an update. Currently no orders for wine, but local businesses are still honouring the credit for wine supplied already.

 

[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.

It is sometime ago that I raised this and I know the timing for many people will not be good, but this is very likely to be going ahead in about 4 weeks time. Date, format and costs are far from settled (although I spoke with a potential venue yesterday and again today). If there's any interest at all let me know here. Very likely to be a midweek evening and a max of 15 people (subject to satisfying Covid requirements).

 

[Steady]

It is sometime ago that I raised this and I know the timing for many people will not be good, but this is very likely to be going ahead in about 4 weeks time. Date, format and costs are far from settled (although I spoke with a potential venue yesterday and again today). If there's any interest at all let me know here. Very likely to be a midweek evening and a max of 15 people.

Covid will prevent my attendance but hopefully you will be able to do it again in the future.

 

[mini2]

It is sometime ago that I raised this and I know the timing for many people will not be good, but this is very likely to be going ahead in about 4 weeks time. Date, format and costs are far from settled (although I spoke with a potential venue yesterday and again today). If there's any interest at all let me know here. Very likely to be a midweek evening and a max of 15 people.

I'd be keen depending on which day of the week.

 

[billbro]

It is sometime ago that I raised this and I know the timing for many people will not be good, but this is very likely to be going ahead in about 4 weeks time. Date, format and costs are far from settled (although I spoke with a potential venue yesterday and again today). If there's any interest at all let me know here. Very likely to be a midweek evening and a max of 15 people (subject to satisfying Covid requirements).

Definitely keen just so I can try some Wendouree, though would have to figure out how to get to and from the gong on a weeknight. Even better if it was the weekend lunch - so I can just book a getaway with the boss at home.

Any thoughts on hosting something in Sydney at some point - guess it's not close to home for you though.

Edit: I now realise that this has been a little while in the waiting, so I'll very much figure out a way to get myself there (maybe by train) if I'm lucky enough to get a seat! I'm sure I could probably get a budding wine friend to come along as well - though I doubt there would be any extra seats!

 

[billbro]

I'm clearly the wrong audience for this thread, I'm at the other end (start) of the wine journey... though starting to read through it all as it's rather interesting!

I've only just begun to understand some of the nuances to wines having recently finished WSET L2 and now looking to sign up to L3. We've managed to collect a few bottles here and there over the years, but previous purchases were all based on what was seemingly a good discount (without realising that rrp means nothing) rather than any real focus or objective.

Dr. Ralph - care to start another thread on how to build out a magnificent cellar that can last say a good 40 years?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Definitely keen just so I can try some Wendouree, though would have to figure out how to get to and from the gong on a weeknight. Even better if it was the weekend lunch - so I can just book a getaway with the boss at home.

Any thoughts on hosting something in Sydney at some point - guess it's not close to home for you though.

Venue costs and Covid capacity issues are problematic. I'm working through these things.

 

[billbro]

Venue costs and Covid capacity issues are problematic. I'm working through these things.

A BYO outfit would seem like the simplest option - presumably, it's just a group reservation for dinner then? However, visiting one of the restaurants you supply and being able to convert your credits might be even more favourable.

Just read through all of this thread, so glad I stumbled onto this!

 

[baiden]

It is sometime ago that I raised this and I know the timing for many people will not be good, but this is very likely to be going ahead in about 4 weeks time. Date, format and costs are far from settled (although I spoke with a potential venue yesterday and again today). If there's any interest at all let me know here. Very likely to be a midweek evening and a max of 15 people (subject to satisfying Covid requirements).

Sadly I'm 3,500ks away and don't see myself flying anywhere in the near (uncertain) future. Terrific opportunity though. Appreciate you putting it out there.