It's getting to be that time.

December rolls around and Capital budgeting for year 03' begins at TCK's house. Time to dive into Microsoft Money to find where the loot all went and where it will be needed next year.

I must say that the wine budget is the most torture to review. A hobby that is not shared by the whole family that I need to justify big $$ into. It's tough.

The question is how will your budget change in the next year? 2000 Bordeaux hit most of you last year with futures, but there will still be some buying. 2001 Cab might hit the shelf at the end of the year but my buying will be in 2004. The 2000 port will need some consideration.

Overall I think I can cut back this year.


TCK

Good question. While my wine budget may be able to stay about the same, I predict my wine spending will decrease because I've filled up my cellar! So if I buy a new cellar, it'll look very very empty... so maybe my budget will increase anyway... hehehe.

Catch-22!!!

TGIS. -- Thank God I'm Single.

I will definitely be cutting back this year. 2000 CA Cabs don't seem to warant many purchases. Same goes w/ Red Burg. I will probably spend money on Aussie, NZ, CA Pinot and Zin. And I guess I have to pick up a couple '00 Bordeaux.

jb

Definately have to cut back next year, but $$ and space considerations.

That said, I probably wont.

I don't formally budget my wine purchases. However, given the decrease in prices for many wines on the secondary market, I have cut back on marginal mailing list wines. My new wife swears she is going to get us on a budget so we shall see.

I still have not let my new wife see my wine budget.

TCK,
Careful. You're setting yourself up for blackmail with an admission like that.

I can't say that I really have a wine budget - but I do foresee my purchases (volume) declining next year.

If anything, I will be MUCH more selective in what I buy. I've got a fair amount of bottles in my cellar that I would not buy again if presented the same opportunity.

I will stick to the BIG GUN mailing lists and a few gems mixed with 'every day' type bottlings from retailers.

I also expect purchases to drop next year. We spent most of this year adding to our collection with the aid of a new 900 bottle cellar. We've now reached the point where there are almost enough 'agers' there to allow us to replace what we drink with 'new' bottles.

In addition (and more importantly), if these cases of wine don't stop showing up at my wife's office soon, she's going to kill me!

i bought less wine this year and i anticipate less wine being bought next year. i have been much more selective as prices escalated upwards. i am now looking for value when i purchase. i am beginning to look at the secondary markets, as i have noticed some auction prices for older wines are less than their current offerings. patience will be rewarded.

Who are we kidding, spend less on wine? is it possible?

I need to spend less on wine, I am going to attempt to up the quality of what is sitting in the cellar by being more selective, and trying to buy from the mailers I am currently on. For the most part my mailers are wines I would like to buy, so weaning back on mailers is not an issue.

ojeffso,
I know where you're coming from. Nine months ago, I had one or two bottles of Australian Shiraz in the cellar. Now it's close to 3 dozen, because of both quality and price. I can get 2 or 3 bottles of a very good shiraz for the same price as a single decent bottle of Cal cab.

I also have noticed (as you have) a few 'deals' on recent wine auctions. The prices are higher than the original release prices, but much less than the current vintage price. I've doubled the number of Kistler chards in my cellar just by picking up a few at auction. With current prices for the 2000 in the $55 to $75 range, some auction offerings don't look too bad.

Unfortunately my wine budget for next year will have to stay about the same. I am running out of room in my storage.

I will buy some 2000 California wines to keep mailing lists active but I don't plan on any major purchases. 2001 will undoubtedly break the bank.

I am going to pick up at least one special bottle before the end of the year for a combined Christmas-Birthday #40 gift to myself.

Any suggestions?

I look to cut down somewhat, and be a bit more selective on wines. High prices and full cellar are the main cause. Think I'll be doing a lot more comparison shopping in the local wine shops to get the best price.

More Spanish, Chilean, and Aussie

Still be looking to consuming 2 -3 bottles a week, and just try to maintain the cellar to compensate.

I have no formal wine budget. But, I don't spend nearly as much as some of you.

As you all know, storage is my #1 priority in the near term. After that, well, we shall see.

My only wine budget is my own personal guilt. If my wife looked in my, excuse me "our" cellar, I may find myself on one. Gotta keep my mailing lists current.

That sounds like mine. I suspect that my luck will run out eventually, though.

It helps that I handle all the bills. If she saw all the wineriy names on that credit card statement....

It helps that we keep separate credit cards. Otherwise ...

Whats a budget?