There’s a new extreme-high-end wine book coming out, a 66-pound monster that costs a cool million, complete with six bottles of wine from each vineyard profiled. As The Church Lady on SNL used to say, “Well isn’t that special.”

Problem is, stuff like this reinforces the impression that cellaring wine is for the Brangelina class only. That stone alcove in your basement, where you’ve got your investment-grade Beenie babies stacked? We have a better idea.

Laying down some wine is good for you, and it can be very good for the wine. It’s hands-on education, it subliminally teaches you to save, and it provides a long range continuity to your life that Twitter alerts can’t.

Cool and dark, check. Bottles on their sides so the corks stay solid, check. Not all wines age well; for sleepers, you’re looking for strong flavors which will integrate with age. Look for tannins in reds – Aglianico, Burgundy and Bordeaux, Cabernet, Chianti Classico and Oregon Pinot Noir are likely suspects. In whites, acidity is key – think about Burgundy and Bordeaux again, Chenin Blanc, Riesling and Sauternes. As always, a local merchant is a great resource, and the topic will allow them to share their favorites and affordable options.

Keep a record, whether a spiral bound notebook or your computer – what’s there, when to start thinking about drinking, special occasions. Got a nephew or niece on the way? Sock away a bottle that will improve for a couple decades ‘til they’re legal. BFF getting hitched? Get her 10-year anniversary gift ahead of time. You don’t care for the lucky guy? Sometimes the wine ages better than the relationship, and that’s okay too. Commiseration is a close second behind celebration in reasons to open that bottle up. With a few tucked away in your cellar, you can be sure that good things lay in store regardless.