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Wine Cellars

Wine cellars are more than just a spot in your basement or closet. True-blue wine cellars provide the optimum conditions to store and age wine. Wine is one food product that increases in taste and value over time, as long as the storage conditions are right. Wine cellars that have been carefully placed and monitored will do just that.

Here are the top eight considerations before creating your own wine cellar:

The light factor: wines should be stored in darkness. Wine cellars should have minimal natural light as light prematurely ages wine, especially sparking wine. The best type of light for wine cellars is incandescent or sodium vapor lights. Avoid fluorescent or ultraviolet light in wine cellars, which have been known to adversely affect the taste of wine.
Steady temperatures are important. Wine should be stored in wine cellars that are within 40 F to 65 F, with very little fluctuation. A gradual change between seasons isn't a problem. It's the daily rise and dip that can ruin wine. Wine cellars should be created away from heating vents and furnaces. Wine expands and constricts depending on its temperature. As wine gets warmer, it expands and pressure is put upon the cork. When it cools, it constricts and the cork is pulled into the bottle. Those changes can cause the cork to loosen up and oxygen will enter the bottle, ruining the wine. Wine stored below 40 C develops an abundance of undesirable sediments or deposits.

Moderate humidity is the key. Wine cellars should be tested to determine the humidity level. Anything between 50 to 80 percent humidity is acceptable with 70 percent as the recommended level. Too much humidity will cause the labels to fall off the bottles or rot. It can also be harmful to the wooden wine racks or storage systems used in the wine cellars. Too little humidity may cause the cork to dry out, which can then allow oxygen to enter the bottle and taint the wine.

Avoid smells. Smells from chemicals and strong foods can penetrate the cork and flavor the wine. Wine cellars should be housed in well ventilated areas, away from chemicals.

Vibrations should be eliminated. Wine cellars should not be near pumps, motors or heavy equipment. Constant vibrations can dislodge the cork or disturb the natural sediments in wine.

Wine cellars should provide easy access to all wines. Creating a system of storage racks in wine cellars enables you to reach for any bottle of wine without having to move another. Wine should be handled at a minimum. The most successful wine cellars have ample side storage so that bottles can be stored on their sides and left alone until they are used. Always store each bottle with the label up, so that they don't have to be moved to read the label.

Side storage is essential. Wine cellars should be constructed with adequate side storage units so that every bottle of wine in the collection can be stored on its side, horizontally. This keeps the cork moist, which keeps the seal airtight.

Plan for growth. Since collecting wines is a hobby, most wine lovers are continually adding to their collection. Wine cellars should be created in phases with expansion in mind. There are many modular wine storage systems that enable wine cellars to easily expand.

If you are planning a serious wine collection, then it is a good idea to create a wine cellar in your home. Wine cellars should provide ideal conditions to help wine grow to maturity.

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