Setting Up Your Own Wine Cellar – the Basics

Installing a home wine cellar can help keep your special wine collection protected. For wine to age properly and to develop the intricate layers of taste as desired, wine should be stored in a cellar away from the low humidity, temperature variations and inadequate storage the bulk of the average home provides.

Small-scale or elaborate, a wine cellar should contain the following components:

• proper insulation
• racks to protect and display the bottles
• good temperature controls
• proper lighting levels

Your wine cellar can be an example of your taste – perhaps you have a preference for practicality, and as much storage in a small space as you can manage. Or, you may want a show piece where you can entertain friends and sample wines in luxurious comfort. Have your needs in mind when designing your cellar.

Also be aware that a wine cellar need not be reserved for a country estate, as people from all walks of life who enjoy a fine bottle of wine build or have wine cellars in their homes.

Embark on the design process with an idea of how you view your wine collection. Some bottles resemble art pieces, so you may want to display them prominently. Sometimes you may desire to showcase a rare vintage, or instead decorate your space with wine-related arts or crafts that bring ambience to the area.

A variety of storage methods correctly combined will give your wine cellar the most versatility. You can invest in modular storage systems that assemble in a customized fashion, or you can have a carpenter create the storage (this can be the more expensive option).

Simple storage racks (in wood or metal) will ensure that the wine remains properly ventilated and separated. You may also want an area set aside for wine accessories, like glasses, corkscrews, bottle openers and wine chillers or buckets.  Your wine cellar can also have purely decorative elements in the form of handcrafted doors or mood lighting.

Red wines benefit most from cellar storage, especially varieties that acquire their best quality from long-term storage. Many people imagine that cellars must be located in the basement or otherwise beneath the house, when in fact they can actually be set up in any part of the house as long as the temperature and humidity levels can be sufficiently controlled. Make your wine cellar a personal tribute to your passion for wine.

If you want to read more about wine cellars, head over to http://www.infoaboutwine.com