The wine collectors and what’s inside their cellars this festive season

For Victor Nzioki, a lawyer and self-proclaimed wine bore, his collection speaks of eight years of exploration, learning and a love for the finer things in life.

“I love to sample the finer things in life,” he says, “That’s how I ended up with wine and good food as part of those things I like to sample.’’

The lawyer’s venture into wine began with many sips of JP. Chenet, a common French wine choice for many beginners. But for Mr Nzioki, this was a gateway to a world of flavour profiles and grape varieties.

“That is when I realised the different grapes involved. I started with a Syrah, which is a type of red grape. It became a habit; I would get a bottle and pair it with whatever I cooked, sometimes even with chapati,” he says, laughing.

His love for wines then grew as he experimented with blends.

“I tried an Israeli wine next, and there was so much depth to explore. Wines have blends, for example, you can mix Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay. Different regions offer different tastes,’’ he says.

As his palate evolved, so did his collection. Today, Mr Nzioki has a growing wine library at home, although the lawyer admits that it’s hard to keep it fully stocked with friends around.

“The thing about collecting wine is that it rarely stays untouched. But I try to add to it consistently, one bottle every two weeks if I can manage. I believe for any wine lover having a few bottles stashed away is important,” he says.

Mr Nzioki’s most cherished bottles include a San Felipe Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bruce Jack, a South African wine available in red, white, and rosé variations.

“I would recommend it to anyone starting out. Then there is the Guv’nor and Mucho Más more common but equally enjoyable,” he says.

Besides drinking wine, he also cooks with it.

“I cook with wine a lot, and it is a great way to elevate your meals.People think cooking with wine leaves alcohol in the food, but that is false. The alcohol cooks off, leaving only the flavours behind,” he says.

In the festive merry, Mr Nzioki is leaning toward full-bodied reds to pair with the nyama choma that will dominate his family gatherings.

“I will be going for a San Felipe Cabernet Sauvignon or maybe an Argentine Colección Privada. Red wines are perfect for the weather and the meats we will be enjoying.”

His advice to aspiring wine enthusiasts? Start small and explore. “For beginners, I would recommend light wines. They are approachable with alcohol content that is as low as eight per cent but you can still taste the flavour. You don’t have to overwhelm yourself; wine is about enjoyment.”

One glass at a time

Her dimly lit wine corner has bottles of South African Pinotage, Australian Chardonnays, and Prosecco lining the shelves. Her favourites?

“I have some Vergelegen reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Santa Cristina Cipresseto Rosato Toscana 2020, Artesano Organic Malbec, Rupert & Rothschild Classique, Zonin Prosecco, Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé,’’ Sheila Maina says.

From her recent gamble into aging wines to her growing collection of corks as mementos, Ms Maina has taken years of dedication to understand wine.

“Wine is an experience for me,” she says. “From how you drink it, how you choose it, how you choose to pair it, it is a whole experience for me. It is just not an act.’’

This philosophy reveals her side hustle of selling glasses and drinkware. Ms Maina says it is a labour of love born from her appreciation of wine.

Her day-to-day life revolves around consulting for a manufacturing company, but her heart lies in creating moments of enjoyment through fine glasses and the perfect pour.

‘‘By selling glasses, I feel like I am teaching. This is how you drink it, and this is why you use it. Have you ever wondered why champagne is served in a flute or why red wine has a bigger bowl? It is not for aesthetics. It is always a way of enhancing the flavours and the experience,” she says.

But it was not always this way. “I honestly did not start liking wine. I used to hate it,” she says. “I thought it was a classist drink.”

Her favourite wine is Chardonnay.

“I can swear by Chardonnay for whites and Pinotage for reds,” she says. “Pinotage is a native South African grape, and I love it because it is rich and spicy, which makes it perfect for the Kenyan palate.”

Her taste leans toward wines from South Africa and Australia, regions she feels resonate with the Kenyan climate. “I feel like old wine countries like France and the UK don’t always match my taste. Their old wines taste a bit flat to me. I prefer wines that have character and spice,” she says.

Ms Maina’s five-year love for wine is not limited to drinking it alone. She has a penchant for ageing wines, a practice she began in 2022.

“I age wine now. It is something I’m exploring, but I still consume a lot. And I have a habit of collecting corks; it is like keeping memories of the bottles I have enjoyed.”

For her wine is crafted, just like whisky. ‘‘Once you understand how to taste wine, you can easily learn to appreciate whisky as well.”

When asked about her most extravagant purchase, she smiles. “The most expensive bottle I have bought is Rupert & Rothschild, which was about Sh9,000.’’

Her go-to choices include Stellenbosch for red wine and Prosecco for champagne. For those venturing into rosés, she recommends Santa Cristina Cipresseto Rosa.

A passion refined over a decade

In Kelvin Wanjira’s wine cellar, you will find a fascinating mix of bottles that tell the story of his journey as a sommelier. “I’m a Shiraz guy,” he says.

“I have wines from South Africa, some French Bordeaux, and even a few Australian bottles. It is a mix from different regions.”

Although he claims that he is not a collector, Mr Wanjira’s 10-year selection shows his refined taste and understanding of wine. At any given time, his stock has around 20 bottles.

This is not due to his lack of love for wine but because he believes that wine should be enjoyed, not hoarded.

“Good wine should not just sit in a cellar; it should be shared. I normally say, ‘Let’s pop a bottle!’ Whether it is with my wife or my friends, the right moment is whenever the mood strikes,” he says.

Now a sommelier and wine trainer, it might surprise you that Mr Wanjira’s love affair with wine did not begin with passion; it started with confusion.

“My journey dates back to 2014 when I got employed at an agency selling alcohol,” he recalls. “Part of the role required me to attend a wine training. I walked in, and all I could hear were terms like ‘Malbec’ and ‘Chardonnay.’ At that time, I had no background in wine, so I was completely lost,” he laughs.

The sommelier admits he was not a wine drinker at the time and was intentional about avoiding wine-related responsibilities. “I wanted to handle another alcoholic brand because wine felt so foreign to me,” he says.

But when he attended more training sessions and engaged in tastings, things changed.

“I started developing a passion for wine. It was not immediate, but it grew with time. I met people in the wine trade, and everything made sense. That is the work I do till now.’’

His favourite wine?

‘‘Shiraz is just me,’’ he says. ‘‘it is fully bodied, rich and layered. Whether it is from South Africa or any other region, it always feels like home.’’

When it comes to choosing a good wine, Mr Wanjira puts stress on the structure. “I look for layers of flavours and aromas, balance between acidity, alcohol, and tannins. But I’m not a wine snob,” he says.

“People think good wine has to be expensive, but I disagree. Every wine has its moment. Whether it is an entry-level bottle or an ultra-premium one, what matters is the experience it provides,” he adds.

As the festive season continues to drain in, the wine expert encourages people who want to gift or buy themselves wine to focus on the bottles that align with their tastes, rather than society's expectations.

“If they love affordable South African wines, get them that. If they prefer French wines, there is a tier for everyone. Wine is like cars; it has levels. Not every Bordeaux is expensive, just like not every Mercedes is a luxury model.”

Mr Wanjira says that newbies who are looking to explore the world of wine should start with what they like.

‘‘If you prefer sweet wines, try an off-dry or medium-dry style next. Don’t let price dictate your choice. It is about finding what suits your palate.”

He adds that wine appreciation is a journey. “Wine changes with time. A 2020 bottle will taste different in 2023 because it develops tertiary aromas and flavours. That is the beauty of wine; it evolves.”

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