1. Why does wine require special storage?
Wine is a natural, perishable food product. Left exposed to heat, light, vibration or fluctuations in temperature and humidity, all types of wine, including red, white, sparkling, fortified, can spoil. When properly stored, wines not only maintain their quality but many actually improve in aroma, flavor, and complexity as they mature.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
2. What is the ideal temperature for wines?
Temperature centered around 57 degrees Fahrenheit or 14 degrees Celsius, much like the cool caves used to store wine in France, is ideal for both short-term storage and long-term aging for all types of wines.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
3. Aren't wine cellars only necessary for the finest, expensive wines?
No. All wines continue to develop in the bottle. Whether you spent $5 or $50 on a bottle of wine, proper storage is necessary to preserve the qualities that led you to buy that wine in the first place, even if you plan to serve it within a few weeks.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
4. What role does humidity play in wine storage?
Proper humidity is required to prevent corks from drying out, therefore preventing oxidation that can lead to spoilage. There is a growing hysteria regarding the need for very high humidity, and in reality it shouldn't be a major concern if you are over 50%. When it is too high, mould can form and your labels will be ruined.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
5. How should bottles be stored?
Storing bottles on their sides is also vital for keeping the corks moist. This horizontal position can be achieved with various types of racking including, individual bottle, bins, diamonds, champagne, case storage, etc., that helps you organize your collection.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
6. How does a wine cellar work?
The heart of a wine cellar is a cooling unit. A thermostat senses temperature variation, leading the cooling unit to turn on and off as needed to maintain constant temperature at 57 degrees Fahrenheit or 14 degrees Celsius, and humidity between 50-70 percent.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
7. Why are there so many kinds of wine cellars?
Because there are so many kinds of wine collectors! Some people want to keep their wines on display so they choose a furniture-grade cellar. Some choose to utilize spare space under stairs, or in a corner of a basement. Still others convert a closet or larger area of their house into a custom wine cellar. There is a wine cellar to fit every collection and budget. As the French would say, "à chacun son gout" — to each his own taste.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
8. Where would I put a wine cellar?
A self-contained wine cellar simply plugs into a standard household outlet, so you can put one virtually anywhere in your home.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
9. If I have a basement, don't I just need racking?
Not necessarily. Your basement may be cooler than the rest of the house, but it still experiences temperature swings which will damage the wine. Fortunately, by keeping a wine cellar in a basement that is naturally cooler than the rest of your house, you can save energy and money.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
10. Aren't wine cellars expensive?
Again, some are certainly more expensive than others, depending on size, as well as technical and decorative features. But a wine cellar is an investment designed to protect an even more valuable investment: your wines. Taken in the context of the value of your collection, the cost per bottle of most wine cellars is extremely inexpensive.
[ BACK TO TOP ]
|
Print Page
Bookmark Page
Email Page
Follow us on Twitter for offers
Join our Facebook fan page