Laying down wine for a 21st...

[Queensgate]

I have been meaning to find out more about buying wine to put away for my son�s twenty-first but have found the issue a more than a little intimidating and have always put it off. I wonder if anyone might have some advice. My son, Oliver, was born in 2001 (due on 9/11 but luckily popped out three days early!) and we will be living overseas for a number of years from next year so storage in the UK would be required. Friends have pointed me towards Ports, Bordeaux and Burgundy (all of which we like to drink), the Wine Society and online investment houses but this advice has only served to confuse me more.

[woofgang]

the wine society will give you good, free advice and will also store your wine for you for fee, but you do have to join it....also be warned that wine for laying down is expensive when you buy it!!

[Pinotage]

Very few wines are made for long keeping. Thus you are limited in what to buy. There are not many reliable places you can entrust your wine to for 21 years and be certain it will be waiting for you, and in good condition. The advice you have been given is good.

I would say you need a very good red Bordeaux (classed growth) or Port. You are talking a minimum of a case (12 bottles), and case storage charges are currently �6.84 annually including insurance.

I suggest the easiest option for you is to talk to the Wine Society, a mutual wine club, at 01438 741177. If you go ahead with them you can use their website to check your holdings.

But maybe your son won't like wine when he's 21 (mine don't), and maybe it'll be less fuss and cheaper in the long run if he does, to buy a case of 2001 wine in 2022.

[Queensgate]

Many thanks for your kind advice - I'll go with the Wine Society.