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5
Tips To Starting A 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. Starting a wine cellar will allow you store your wine
in ideal conditions for the wine to mature and gain complexity as
well as provide the ideal space to taste wine.
Out of the many
basement ideas that homeowners
consider when thinking about
renovation, a wine cellar is one of the more unique,
fun, and useful projects that can be done.
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. You must
provide these conditions when starting a wine cellar.
All The
Information You Need About Starting A Wine Cellar Is Right Here!
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.
Before starting a wine cellar it is worth noting that a
well-constructed above ground cellar or a well dug underground
cellar will require the minimum in 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. This is also a safe way
to store your wine before starting your wine cellar.
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, when starting a wine cellar, remember that 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 or home
wine room where your wine will age to perfection!
And for all the details on starting a
wine cellar that will be the envy of your friends I strongly
recommend you grab your own copy of "How To
Build A Home Wine Cellar".
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