If wine is something you use continually, buying a wine fridge will be a profitable investment so that you can store and serve wine at its absolute best. This is a way more efficient, cheap and satisfactory way of storing wine than the normal cellar as the general public in our modern world do not have the space or money to build a walk-in wine cellar in their cellar.
Perfect conditions for wine
Wine needs to be stored in certain continued condition to be enjoyed at its finest. The 3 states which ruin wine are aridness, light and heat. Humidity levels must be regulated as low humidity causes cork shrinkage which can let air into the bottles and also disperse the wine, and extreme humidity can end up in mold and mold. Elevated temperatures of over 77F (25C) change the chemical balance of the wine and give it a stewed taste. Proteins in wine also respond to exorbitant light and this ruins the flavour. The flavor, colour and consistency of wine are preserved at fairly low temperatures, particularly in the case of white and sparkling wines, with reduced light and a good amount of moisture. That's why employing a wine fridge provides the perfect environment for the storage of wines as these contributors can all be controlled.
Wine fridge better than a kitchen fridge
A wine cooler isn't the same as a standard kitchen fridge. Fridges aren't excellent for storing wine and can basically spoil it. The temperature in a refrigerator is too low for most wines and with the door being frequently opened the temperature fluctuates so that the wine is not kept at a steady temperature. A fridge also a little vibrates even though it is running which can shift the sediments within the wine and this destroys the flavours. From a practical viewpoint, wine fridges also have specially designed racks for holding wine bottles and specially treated glass to dam ultraviolet light.
Selecting a wine fridge
There are a wide variety of wine fridges to choose between according to capacity, dimensions, style and cooling techniques. Deciding on the cooling technique is actually the 1st point that has to be considered when buying a wine cooler as it is at once impacted by the kind of wine you use. All the other features can be considered after this once you've selected the technology that best fits your wishes.
Wine temperatures
This is a controversy because different types of wine have a selected temperature in which they're best stored. Rich red wines are best at 59-66F (15-19C) and light red wines at 55F (13C). Rose and dry white wines taste nice between 46-57F (8-14C). Sparkling wines and champagne are normally chilled at 43-47F (6-8C).
Richard Brown runs an internet store selling wine coolers. His compact 6 bottle wine cooler is a favourite of many customers.
Filed under Wine by 
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
Filed under Wine by
Storing wine is the focus of this part of our wine 101 guide…
The first thing you need to know when it comes to wine storage is to place your bottles on their side somewhere relatively cool and free from direct light. If you do this, youll be able to keep your wine for longer because the flavors won’t be damaged. However, learning a little more than the basics is advisable and thats what we’ll look at now.
Temperature is the most important factor to pay attention to. Keeping your wines between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal; though a range of 45 to 65 degrees is considered acceptable. If your temperature is too low, your wine will not age properly. A higher, warmer temperature causes premature aging (not in a good way).
What hurts wine the most though is temperature fluctuation. A steady temperature at either acceptable extreme being better than storage that every day goes from 45F – 65F and back again. The temperature should never fluctuate more than 5 degrees a day; this is especially important for red wines, which can be more damaged than whites from fluctuations.
Another important element to wine storage is humidity; if your storage area is too dry, the corks on your bottles will dry out and allow air to get inside, which can lead to damaged wine. Keeping your humidity level at around 70 to 80 percent is ideal for wine storage, and you can track this with a hygrometer.
A wine cellar is obviously the best place to achieve these optimal conditions, but due to their cost and the space they take up, they’re not an option for most. However, you can mimic the conditions of a wine cellar in a basement or garage. Just install a wine rack in one of these locations and include a thermometer and and temperature / humidity guage to keep track of conditions.
As for how long to store it for, this depends on the type of wine, the region the wine was made in, the technique used to make it, and the particular year the grapes were harvested in. However, as a general guideline, whites normally do not age for long, while reds age for 5-10 years. If you’re starting out, consult a free online aging chart to to assist you with this aspect of wine storage.
Filed under Wine by
