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The Collector: Louis Mueller

Rhode Island artist, designer and über-knowledgeable wine collector Louis Mueller is often lauded for his cellars. No fancy frills, no unnecessary decoration, just fabulous wine and lots of it. We cornered him with questions:

You’ve been collecting since the seventies. How much wine do you have?
About 3,000 cases is a good estimate. I built my first cellar in 1980 and then the second in ’85 to handle overflow. My philosophy has always been to buy more than you need and to be considerate of it.

Why wine and how did you acquire your insight?
Art, music, cooking, time with friends—wine complements the things I most enjoy. The rest is experience. There are worthy experts out there writing on the subject—John Gilman is one—but reading reviews can influence your taste. Go with what you like.

Does one type of wine take precedence in your cellar?
I love Burgundy, especially Chablis. Burgundy is feminine, delicate and complex. Riesling is another favorite. Its floral aroma makes me salivate.

How do you find anything when it’s so crowded?
Being disorganized has its rewards. I have an idea of where things are and sometimes I happen upon wines I didn’t know I owned—that’s wonderful. 

Do you worry something may grow too old?
I only buy current release, which means no secondary market. For example, right now the 2006 Burgundy is for sale.
Nothing down here is that ancient it’s going to die.

We have to ask, if it were your last night on earth, what bottle would you choose?
Definitely a white—probably a Domaine Francois Raveneau Burgundy or a Robert Weil Riesling.