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5 Tips To Starting Your Own Wine Cellar |
One of the great joys of wine is being able to select a bottle
of wine from
your own cellar, perhaps one that you've been storing for some
years, draw the cork and enjoy it with friends. You can marvel at
the changes brought on by maturity and, as a bonus, you can brag
about the price you paid and congratulate yourself on picking up
such a bargain!
However, wine is an
ever-changing thing and how it is stored will directly affect how
quickly and how well it ages!
Storing wine is very simple ...
It requires a constant temperature, humidity, darkness, stillness
and a well-ventilated and clean environment.
Insulation
The first essential is to create a storage environment that provides
the basics of stable temperature, no light and no vibration.
In general terms 4" (100mm) of polystyrene is the equivalent to 3 ft
(1 meter) of ground. So if you're trying to decide between an above
ground construction and an underground cavern, you must be prepared
to dig deep for the latter.
Your cupboard, indoor space or your outdoor construction must be
well shaded, well insulated and with the minimum of air movement in
and out.
Temperature
The objective is to provide stored wines with a constant
temperature
of between 50°F
and 59°F
(10°C
– 15°C.
Seasonal changes in temperature will not harm your wine, although
fluctuations greater than one degree a week should be avoided.
Wines subjected to temperatures over 77°F
(25°C)
are in grave danger of rapid deterioration.
Wines stored in less than ideal conditions will age at speeds quite
different to those envisaged by winemakers when they offer suggested
storage times. A hygro thermometer will provide you with accurate
information as to both the temperature and humidity ranges within
your cellar.
A well-constructed above ground cellar or a well dug underground
cellar will require the minimum of additional temperature control
although your climate or the position of your cellar may necessitate
the use of a cooling device that will provide complete temperature
stability.
Another alternative is a temperature controlled wine cabinet. Some
of these can hold up to 800 bottles but note that some
manufacturers' suggested bottle capacity can be misleading and the
racks may be smaller than you require. Champagne bottles are larger
than Riesling bottles!
Regard assembled wine as your best cooling block. A high density of
wine bottles will reduce wine temperature fluctuations.
Consider keeping your long-term wines in a professional storage
facility if your cellar cannot conform to the optimum temperature
ranges.
Humidity
A dry atmosphere is an enemy of the natural cork seal. A natural
cork is compressed and forced into the bottle as a 100% natural
seal.
Low humidity combined with a defective cork results in the wine
moving out of the bottle (increasing ullage) and air naturally
moving into the bottle.
Moderate humidity is important to keep the cork in good resilient
condition and prevent it shrinking. Screw capped bottles do not
require humidity.
Excessive humidity will not harm the wine but can cause the labels
to go moldy. The ideal humidity for your cellar is 70%, however
anywhere between 50–80% is acceptable.
Darkness
Light will prematurely age a bottle of wine. Clear bottles are most
susceptible to this problem, but ultraviolet light will penetrate
even dark colored glass.
Ultraviolet light will damage wine by causing the degradation of the
otherwise stable organic compounds, especially the tannins found in
wine. These organic compounds contribute to the aroma, flavor and
structure of the wine. Without them your wine would appear flat and
thin.
So exposure to ultraviolet light results in unfavorable and
irreversible changes in your wine.
Sparkling wines require extra care as they are more sensitive to
light than other wines.
Lay
it down!
Store your wine bottles horizontally so the wine is in contact with
the cork. This will keep the cork wet. If the cork dries out and
shrinks it will let air get to your wine. Store it with the label
facing up. This will help in three ways:
You can easily see what the wine is. You don't need to disturb the
bottle to see what you've got in your cellar.
The sediment will form on the opposite side to the label and make it
easier to see.
The label is less likely to suffer damage. If you're storing wine as
an investment, a damaged label will reduce the value.
Follow the tips above and you'll be on your way to creating a cellar
where your wine will age to perfection and a cellar that will be the
envy of your friends!
Choosing
Wine Glasses...
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