Questions Uncorked

Sep 8, 2008

Hi Michael –

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog and also for your question. I think that is one that many wine lovers have struggled with at one point or another!

Keeping track of the wines that you drink can be a tough, but important task. There are any number of ways to go about doing it – the real key is to find the system that works best for you. Removing the wine labels from a bottle can sometimes be a good way of making sure you have a visual reminder of the wine that you tasted. The only complicated part there is that while removing a label from a bottle can sometimes be challenging. It will all depend on how the label has been affixed to the bottle. For some that are just glued on, it can be as simple as just soaking the bottle – the wet label will then just slide right off the bottle. However, some new labels and adhesives that are being used today can make removing the label a real challenge. There are clear adhesive stickers that are sold that you can press over the label and then peel off with the label attached to the sticker instead of the bottle. Either way, you then need to figure out where you are going to keep your label collection so that it is accessible and usable.

Collecting corks can be a fun thing to do – especially if you are going to recycle them into a corkboard or a trivet. However, with so many wines using screwcaps or synthetic corks, that plan can also be problematic. Screw caps frequently don’t list any information on the top and the same for many of the synthetic corks. So keeping those to help remind you of the wines you have tasted doesn’t seem very helpful!

The best system that I have come across is to keep a list on either a pda or a phone or to use a very small notebook that will fit in your pocket. I find that the phone/pda system is best as that is something that one is very rarely without. There are also several programs you can download to help you manage your notes on your pda and that can be worth looking into.

Whatever system you go with, the best advice I can give you is to be consistent about it. Keeping track of the wines you try can not only help you to get a better sense of what kind of wines your palate favors, but you will also find that it is a terrific way to learn even more about wine!