How to Stock an Everyday Wine Cellar

With twelve wines for any occasion, all tucked into a simple wine rack in the bottom of your pantry, you're ready for anything. Here's what you need:

• Two bottles of Champagne...
  Keep one in the rack and the other in the refrigerator for a spur-of-the-moment celebration or even a festive aperitif when unexpected guests drop by.


• Three bottles of all-purpose white and three bottles of all-purpose red...
  These should be simple and inexpensive wines --wines you'd be just as happy drinking with a weekday dinner as you would using to make a quick pan-sauce. There are many good wines, both red and white, that are available for under $10.


• One bottle of special-occasion white...
  Maybe a Sancerre from France.


• One bottle of special-occasion red...
  Pull out all the stops; an exciting wine to treat yourself and guests. A Ribera del Duero from Spain would be an excellent choice.


• One bottle of "Wild Card" white...
  This might be something that stands up to ethnic or spicy foods. Either a Riesling or Gewurztraminer would work.


• One big red...
  One bottle for that night you feel like plopping a steak or lamb chops on the grill. This might be a Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel.

Now, that's a stash you can use! The beautiful part is you get to have the ideal wine on demand, and you only need to replenish it as the stash gets low.

Cheers,

Durella DeGrasse
Certified Wine Professional

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