Tired of keeping those cases of Pinot Noir in the linen closet, but don't know which wine storage system is right for you? The following steps will help you narrow your choices and get you closer to the dream of a home wine cellar.
Wine Cabinets And Racks
1) Know What Kind of Wine You Will Be Buying -- Wine bottles come in many shapes and sizes. If you prefer Pinot Noir then you know it comes in a Burgundy-style bottle. Burgundy-style bottles are elegant, slope-shouldered and about 1/2 an inch wider in diameter than the Bordeaux-style bottles typical of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Unfortunately, most wine racks, whether standalone or inside a refrigerator are designed for Bordeaux-style bottles. Which means that if you want to store primarily Pinot Noir you need a storage system with lots of bulk storage, or magnum racks designed for 1.5 liter bottles, or what's called universal racking.
Wine Cabinets And Racks
2) Plan for the Future -- If you have two cases of Pinot Noir, then you need a wine storage system with at least a 24-bottle capacity. But if you're planning on expanding your collection significantly, buy the biggest one you can afford. Wine collecting is addictive and oenophiles run out of space quickly. Buying big is especially important when buying wine refrigerators, cabinets or electric wine cellars where a close fit is the norm. When you run out of space in a refrigerator, you have to buy another unit. Buying two units is usually more expensive than buying one with a larger capacity.
3) Pay Attention to Racking Material -- The differences between wine racks made of pine, redwood, wrought iron, stainless steel, and more recently plastic are more than cosmetic. Redwood is generally considered to be the best wine rack material because it's naturally strong, odor-free, mildew resistant and therefore doesn't require sealants that emit harmful gases that can work their way into the wine through the cork. Pine on the other hand is prone to warping under moist conditions and needs to be sealed.
Wood racks take up more space than metal racks which is one reason metal racks are so popular in wine refrigerators and electric wine cellars. But metal racks have their drawbacks. Metal wine racks can rust in humid conditions without a protective covering. The covering can also chip off with repeated use. Not to mention that the wire racks in low-cost wine refrigerators often bend under the weight of wine bottles. For newbies with limited resources, polyethylene racks made of recycled plastic are cheap and compact and good for use in confined spaces. They are very popular these days because they're environmentally friendly, but like any standalone wine-rack system it's a short-term storage solution.
4) Temperature and Humidity Control is Critical -- A wine rack is not a complete storage system. A wine rack has no temperature and humidity control or protection against ultraviolet light and vibrations. It must be combined with a cooling unit, an insulated room and low-light levels to be useful for long-term storage. Wine should not be kept at typical room temperature and humidity conditions for more than 6 months. A wine refrigerator is a step up, but its real purpose is keeping wine at proper serving temperatures for no more than a year. If you want multi-year wine storage capabilities without building a traditional cellar, look for names like Eurocave, Vinotheque and Subzero.
5) Know Wine Storage System Limitations -- Even sophisticated wine storage systems have limitations. Most wine storage systems should not be subjected to temperatures in excess of 80-degrees Fahrenheit, or under 65-degrees Fahrenheit that can occur in non-temperature controlled areas like garages or storage sheds during certain times of the year. If you're planning on keeping your wine in the garage, make sure your storage system is designed for it. Wine storage systems also need decent ventilation, some need more than others. Make sure the room the wine storage unit is kept in is well ventilated and large enough to dissipate heat from the compressor.
Wine Storage Systems - 5 Easy Steps to Storing Wine at Home
Wine Cabinets And Racks
Dec 11, 2011 07:18:30
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