Wine Storage: Which is the Best Option? For many wine enthusiasts looking to expand their wine collection, one of the main queries they may have is which storage option is right for their needs. There are many considerations that need to be kept in mind when choosing a wine storage option. For example, if you go down the route of a wine cellar then price and location are two factors that will play a large role. In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of a variety of storage options for wine including wine racks, wine cabinets and wine cellars in order to give you the knowledge you need to make the best decision for you.  Wine Rack: What Is It? A wine rack is a simple linear structure that is designed to lay bottles on their sides for display purposes. Offering open-front, side and back access, these units can either be wall-mounted or freestanding depending on personal preference.  Wine storage racks are typically made from wood such as cedar, redwood, pine, or mahogany. However, mahogany is a highly recommended choice as its more durable especially in high humidity environments. Stainless steel and wrought iron are also durable options and are frequently used in the storage of wine at home.  In regards to capacity, most wine racks can hold up to 12 bottles at a time and many of these structures are designed to enable stacking if required. The shelving is designed with notches or indents to securely and comfortably fit 750 ml bottles.  Pros & Cons If you are looking for a wine storage option that is affordable and stylish, then a wine rack may be the perfect choice for your needs. Furthermore, this storage option is widely available both online and in homeware stores.  While wine racks are certainly functional and accessible allowing you to store your wine collection in a central location in your home, many argue that their focus is too heavily put on aesthetics rather than correct wine preservation. These structures lack the features needed to control temperature or humidity. Additionally, they’re most often designed to be placed in high-traffic areas such as kitchens which means that wine bottles may be at risk of being directly exposed to high temperatures which can “cook” or prematurely age the wine. To ensure proper wine storage conditions, an easy solution would be to place your wine rack in a cool and dim place.  Wine Cabinet: What Is It? Wine cabinets are another option for wine storage. Unlike wine racks, these structures tend to be more durable and stable. A wine cabinet is a sturdy piece of furniture that offers doors, side panels, and shelving space for wine bottles and other miscellaneous items such as wine glasses. They also come with compressors to cool the cabinet down to the ideal temperature for longer-term storage. Made from wood with various finishes, these units act as the go-to storage solution for your wine collection. Oftentimes, individuals would these …

Read more

Making The Decision To Install A Wine Cellar If you are thinking about installing a wine cellar in your property, there are a number of considerations that you should keep in mind. The process of adding a cellar to your home requires a lot of planning and preparation. While determining the location for your wine storage is an important first step, there are other facets that dedicated enophiles should give as much due thought to, if not more. This article will discuss the core factors and elements that go into constructing the perfect wine cellar for your property and wine collection.   Top Considerations To Be Kept In Mind Wine enthusiasts will know that installing a wine cellar in their home is a true investment and therefore, putting the correct preparation in place will ensure that no elements are overlooked. Finding The Right Contractor Finding the right craftsmen to bring your wine cellar vision to fruition is one of the most vital aspects of the construction project. A contractor must have the technical abilities and proficiency in the proper techniques of installing a wine cellar. Ensure that the contractor you are working with has experience and knowledge in areas such as vapor barrier, proper insulation, glazing options and exterior grade doors. Size & Location Of The Cellar The location and size of your wine cellar will have an impact on many other elements that are involved as part of adding wine storage to your property. Many enophiles are now moving away from the traditional placement of a basement for their cellars and are choosing to have their wine collections become a focal point in a room that is used for dining and socializing. It is important to note, however, that wine cellars are best placed in a location that has a temperature of at least 12 degrees Celsius and a 60% humidity level. When determining the location and size of your cellar, give consideration both to the current size of your wine collection and how big you expect your collection to grow. Modest collections can be incorporated into your living space with a self-contained wine cooler, but if you have expectations of a collection of more than a couple of hundred bottles, locating your cellar in a basement may be a better option in terms of available space. Cost Of The Project The cost of a cellar project can vary depending on how you envision the design of the wine storage space. Size, location, choice of cooling unit and materials must all be factored in when budgeting for the project. Many enophiles aim to create a particular atmosphere with their cellar and, as a result, the design of a cellar can vary greatly. Depending on personal preference, a minimalistic look with seamless glass and clean lines may fit your vision. Or perhaps, the traditional and classic look of natural stone or wood may be more your style. The choice of materials that you use during construction especially in terms of …

Read more

Anyone who buys and enjoys wine can accumulate quite a collection over the years. Inevitably, when you get a new bottle you want to know “how long should I keep this for? and how should I store it?” How Long Should I Store Wine? Many fine wines, particularly reds, can improve with age. Ageing allows the various structural components (acid, tannin and alcohol) to become more integrated, making the wine easier to drink. It also changes the nature of the aromas and flavours. As wine ages, fruit flavours tend to fade or dry out and tertiary flavours (leather, humous, mushroom, soy) become more prominent. Eventually, a wine becomes completely tertiary. Not everyone likes these tertiary flavours, so the first thing you need to ask yourself is whether you like aged wines or young/fresh wines. If the answer is the latter, then don’t age them. Enjoy them the way they are! However, if you like your wines with the flavours imparted by bottle ageing, then, by all means, store them for a few years. Not all wines need to or can be stored. In fact, over 90% of red wines are better enjoyed within a short 5-year window. If you’re building a collection of wine that you plan to age, you should consider adding the wines that have this capability. As you can see in the following chart, some of the following wines vary in their ability to age well. In reality, it all comes down to the producer and your personal choice. Many wines will have a recommended cellaring time printed on the label. If that is not the case, however, refer to the winery for ageing suggestions. Keep in mind that some of these numbers can be quite subjective. Chardonnay 1 to 5 years Cabernet Sauvignon 4 to 20 years Merlot 2 to 10 years Pinot Noir 2 to 8 years Riesling 2 to 30 years Vintage Ports 20 to 50 years Red Bordeaux 8 to 25 years Source: Wikipedia How Should I Store My Wine? Building a wine collection can be the source of considerable pride. And it can even be a good investment if the wine is properly stored. Roughly 7% of affluents living in North America own their wine cellar or wine refrigerator. There are even facilities that will store your wine for you. The ideal place for storage is a dark place that has the right, consistent temperature with the right level of humidity, proper ventilation, and is secure. If you are looking to establish a suitable environment to keep wine in your house or restaurant, consider the following: 1. Regulating a cool temperature Not too hot It is vital that your wine is kept at a consistent and cool temperature. Too hot (18 to 22 degrees Celsius plus) and your wine will likely age more quickly, resulting in flat flavours and aromas. Not too cold But don’t keep your wine too cool. When wine is kept in a regular fridge (well below 7 degrees celsius), the …

Read more