Wine Coolers

Wine Cellars

Walk-in wine cellars are a great way to show off your collection to friends and colleagues. There are exceptional wine cooler systems that are beautiful as well as functional.

A wine cellar is a high-end solution for keeping expensive collections of wine at the correct temperature in your home. Options for those considering a more expensive building project include a wine tasting area, rounded shelving, slate counters and waterfalls.

Brick, oiled redwood and mahogany wood are favored building materials for constructing a wine cellar. Since rot and mildew can occur in wine cellars, untreated woods should be avoided. Insulation and a vapor barrier are also required in a stone or concrete cellar that uses a cooling system.

The primary item needed in your wine cellar is a trellis storage system. A trellis is another name for a wine storage rack. A trellis system stores a large collection of wine bottles, allowing air to circulate around them freely. A good trellis has enough holes for the individual bottles, which avoids scuffing of the labels. Depending on your chosen design, you can choose from either wood or wire racks. Wine bottles need to be stored horizontally so that the wine comes in contact with the cork. The cork must be kept moist in order to maintain the seal and keep oxygen out.

Maintaining the temperature is very important in your wine cellar. The ideal temperature for storing wines is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature range can be between 50 and 60 degrees. White wines can be stored as low as 45 degrees. Higher temperatures make a wine age faster and cause a separation of the alcohol. Extreme low temperatures can cause sedimentation and deposits to form in the wine.

The humidity is also a concern in your wine cellar. The accepted average humidity for a wine cellar with a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit is 65 percent. This helps the corks maintain their moisture, which is essential to maintaining good seal. Corks that are allowed to dry out on the airside can pull away from the sides of the bottle, allowing air inside the wine bottle. The end result is rapid aging of your stored wines, turning them into vinegar.

Portable Storage Solutions

Portable wine coolers can either fit under counters or can be built in. These storage solutions are affordable for the beginner wine enthusiast. Portable wine coolers are also easy to install for the do-it-yourself homebuilder. These types of coolers come in many sizes, from the typical six-bottle cooler to larger models that can accommodate thirty or more bottles.

Most small wine coolers feature an adjustable thermostat, an interior light and adjustable racks within. The doors are usually glass, which shows off the contents of these refrigeration units. These units can be as decorative or as modern as the decorator wishes. Many companies that build these units offer custom-built models for an additional fee. If you have an unusual storage space, such as under a stairway, you may be able to have a custom-made cabinet designed for that area.

Additional Storage Solutions

Wine racks and cabinets located in other rooms of the home are fine for short-term storage. Wood and wire racks, as well as beautiful wooden wine cabinets, are relatively inexpensive for wine stroage, but of course they are not true wine coolers. They can be found in just about any retail, home improvement or wine store. Wines stored at room temperature should be consumed within a month or two, otherwise they should be moved to a cooler area for long-term storage.