Hello! I've been asking you questions fairly frequently lately and, as I said in an earlier question/comment, I cannot thank you enough for the time and effort you put into this Q&A thing, and may I say to your readers, I hope they can appreciate what a privilege it is to speak with one of the very few masters of wine around the world, and one who goes out of his way to answer any type of question as conscientiously as possible. It would be irrelevant to think that you have a business interest in doing this as you're past needing the publicity exposure. So thank you very much for doing this! My question: what are your favourite wines in your cellar? I'm asking that just as I would ask a writer what books he keeps on his bedside table. What are the "to-drink" must haves that you always have on hand in your cellar (not those that you may collect long-term as that would be a completely different matter which would not help me consume better)? Wines that you may eat with something or enjoy before or after a meal, whatever the circumstances, whatever the colour? Many thanks!
Answer From Expert Roger Bohmrich MW
I must tell you, before addressing your query, how immensely grateful I am to receive your very generous comments! I do try my very best to handle all questions respectfully whether the focus is on some very small point or on larger issues.
I think the "must haves" in a cellar are very personal, unless your intent is to build a collection of blue chips largely based on the celebrity of the labels and the financial gain you could realize, if the wines were to be offered at auction. That has certainly not been my priority, even though I have accumulated a fair number of European classics (especially Bordeaux and Rhône) over the years. I would emphasize that carefully chosen mid-tier wines from many parts of the world - those short of the very top bottlings - are often overlooked as viable cellar candidates. For example, bourgeois-level Bordeaux or red Crozes-Hermitage from the right vintages can be wonderful after a decade of aging - and are much more affordable than glamorous appellations. The standard selections of Barolo and Barbaresco (not single vineyards or riserva) may well be the greatest bargains of our time for cellaring. But of course as a regular drinker I purchase and consume wines of all types for daily drinking. In whites, a basic Mosel, Alsace or Finger Lakes Riesling, Chablis, Sauvignon Blanc (I favor the Loire or South Africa), Spanish Albariño, Assyrtiko from Greece, and Austrian Grüner Veltliner, to name just a few. My recent everyday reds include some of the astounding Spanish values, particularly Garnacha-based, for well under $20 retail, as well as Rioja. I frequently drink Chianti Classico and cru Beaujolais (Fleurie, Brouilly). The Southern Rhône is a treasure trove of value-for-money reds: there are some remarkable regional Côtes du Rhône from fine estates which are available for prices far below their intrinsic worth. In the warmer months, there are always numerous dry rosés to drink before and with the meal - there is a world of choice in this category. Then there's the occasional Manzanilla... Perhaps this list might give you an idea or two, but by all means, if you want to "consume better," take a chance and discover something new. Cheers and happy wine drinking!
