Collecting wine can be a serious business or simply a hobby, but wherever you sit on that scale the same basic principles apply, whether you have 60 bottles or 6,000. This book aims to be a useful guide for both enthusiastic amateurs and more serious wine buyers, helping them navigate their way through the joys and difficulties of the wine trade. From the first steps into retail wine aisles to the complex world of auctions, brokers and allocations, finding a balance that fits your budget and lifestyle is vitally important. Wine is a luxury, one of life’s great pleasures, but unless you are simply in it for the money (easier said than done), then you should also only think about wines you actually like to drink.