Oenophiles, like luxury wine cellars, come in endless varieties. Some have larger or more advanced wine collections that require more elaborate custom-built wine storage spaces while others simply collect wine for personal enjoyment and consumption. Nonetheless, there is one thing that they both have in common: a genuine appreciation and adoration for quality wine. New wine collectors who are looking for appropriate ways to store their wine collections should take some time to consider two things before planning or constructing their wine storage area: the current size of their wine collection and the desired eventual size of their wine collection.
4 Important Factors for Storing Wine
Wine experts know that the number one way to ruin a perfectly good bottle of wine is by storing it incorrectly or insufficiently. Temperature control, humidity, light, odour and vibration can all play crucial roles in either optimizing your fine libations or making them worthless.
Temperature
While temperature standards for storing wine have evolved over the centuries, the current standard recommended storage guideline is to store your wine in an area or space that maintains a consistent temperature between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius (50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit) over time. Storing smaller wine collections in an area of your home with consistent cooler temperatures away from direct sunlight is fine if you are not planning on storing it for long time periods of time.
Humidity
Think of humidity as your wine’s evil arch nemesis. Too much or too little of it can be a bad thing, in that it can needlessly spoil your investment. Generally speaking, humidity levels wherever you store your wine should remain at a consistent rate of 65% to 75%.
Light
There is a reason that wine connoisseurs and sommeliers always recommend keeping your wine in dark wine rooms or cellars: light causes wine to age prematurely. Imagine what lying under heat lamps or direct sunlight for extended periods of time does to a person’s skin and apply that same basic principle to wine.
Vibration
A high-end display wine cellar should reduce structural vibrations as much as possible. The reason for this is that excessive vibrations can disrupt the natural chemical balance of the wine itself, which will inevitably alter its taste. This is a huge shame for wine lovers who tend to store their wines for 10, 15, or even 20 years only to be grossly disappointed upon first taste.
Odour
Over time air can seep into a bottle of wine through the cork. Although this usually takes years to happen, wine collectors should always store their wine in an area that is odour-free as to avoid damaging the wine or altering its delicate flavours. This is particularly important when it comes to storing bottles beside certain aromatic foods, such as garlic or onion. Other odours, including paint or gasoline, can also penetrate through cork and exposing your wine to these fumes may have negative effects on your health.
A great deal of time and effort goes into purchasing, storing, and collecting good wine, and the last thing any wine aficionado wants to experience is having their labour of love go to waste. That is why storing your wine in a proper facility is of the utmost importance.
Cable Wine Systems has developed a revolutionary wine storage system that is flexible in its ability to hold different bottle sizes, and it features a customizable design that meets the owner’s preferences. Our wire wine racking system is a sleek and contemporary design that offers clients an alternative to traditional wood and metal wine racking. See for yourself what the design, building and architectural communities are raving about.
For more information or to book a consultation, contact us today.