How to Start a Wine Cellar: A Beginner's Guide from Our Chelsea Store

One of the questions we're asked most often at Blanco & Gomez is: "How do I start a wine cellar?" It's a question that can feel daunting — but it doesn't need to be. Whether you have a dedicated cellar room, a wine fridge, or simply a cool corner of your home, building a personal wine collection is one of the most rewarding things a wine lover can do.

Why cellar wine at all?

Most wines sold in shops are ready to drink immediately — and there's nothing wrong with that. But certain wines — particularly fine red Burgundy, Bordeaux Cru Classé, Barolo, Vintage Port, and top Riesling — transform with age in ways that can be genuinely astonishing. Tannins soften, fruit integrates, and a complexity develops that simply cannot be achieved in a young wine. Buying these wines young and cellaring them is also significantly more cost-effective than buying them at maturity.

What conditions does wine need?

The ideal cellar conditions are:

·       Temperature: Constant 10–14°C. Fluctuation is the enemy — a steady 16°C is better than temperatures that swing between 10°C and 20°C.

·       Humidity: Around 70%. Too dry and corks can shrink and allow oxidation; too wet and labels deteriorate.

·       Darkness: UV light degrades wine over time — keep bottles away from direct light.

·       Vibration-free: Excessive vibration disturbs sediment and can affect the ageing process.

·       Horizontal storage: Bottles sealed with cork must lie on their sides to keep the cork moist.

What should I buy first?

For a beginner cellar, we recommend starting with wines across three categories:

Wines to drink in 3–5 years: Village Burgundy, Rioja Reserva, mid-level Rhône reds, and quality Champagne.

Wines to drink in 8–15 years: Premier Cru Burgundy, Bordeaux Cru Classé from good vintages, Barolo and Barbaresco from top producers, and aged Riesling from the Mosel.

Wines to drink in 15–30 years: Grand Cru Burgundy, First and Second Growth Bordeaux, Vintage Port, and the very greatest Rieslings.

How many bottles should I start with?

There's no rule — but a practical starting point is 12–24 bottles across different styles and drinking windows. This gives you variety, ensures you always have something ready to drink, and lets you begin to understand how wines develop over time.

What about a wine fridge?

If you don't have cellar space, a dedicated wine fridge is an excellent investment. Look for models with dual temperature zones (one for reds, one for whites and Champagne), UV-protected glass, and vibration-free compressors. Brands like Liebherr, Climadiff, and EuroCave are well regarded.

How we can help

At Blanco & Gomez, we've been advising customers on cellar building for over fifteen years. Whether you're looking to start small with a mixed case of wines to lay down, or build a more serious collection with investment-grade bottles, our team is always happy to advise. Visit us at 410 King's Road, Chelsea, or contact us at bgwm.co.uk.