Wine cellar

Wine cellars, in their truest form, are underground. The first wine cellars were caves, and those subterranean conditions are the ones we attempt to emulate when we build a wine cellar or wine room for our homes. Most people are aware that their wine cellar needs to be kept cool, but many overlook the importance of humidity. The ideal humidity level for a wine cellar is 50%-70% relative humidity.

A wine cellar is a storage room for wine in bottles or barrels, or more rarely in carboys, amphorae or plastic containers. In an active wine cellar, important factors such as temperature and humidity are maintained by a climate control system. In contrast, passive wine cellars are not climate-controlled, and are usually built underground to reduce temperature swings. An aboveground wine cellar is often called a wine room, while a small wine cellar (less than 500 bottles) is sometimes termed a wine closet.

Store your table wines horizontally. On it’s side so the wine is in contact with the cork. This will keep the cork wet. If the cork dries out it will shrink and let air get to your wine. Air is the greatest enemy to a good wine and will turn it into vinegar. Store it with the label up.

The magic temperature to store wines is between 12-16 ºC. The most important rule when storing wine is to avoid large temperature changes or fluctuations. You’ll notice damage of this nature straight away from the sticky deposit that often forms around the capsule.  At 12-16 ºC the wine will age properly enabling it to fully develop. Higher temperatures will age wine more rapidly and cooler temperatures will slow down the ageing process.

Store your wines in a dark place. Light will prematurely age a bottle of wine. Clear bottles are most susceptible to this problem, but ultraviolet (UV) light will penetrate even dark coloured glass. Ultraviolet light will damage wine by causing the degradation of the otherwise stable organic compounds. Especially the tannins found in wine. These organic compounds contribute to the aroma, flavour and structure of the wine. Without them your wine would be flat and thin.

Remember. A wine cellar is not a wine hospital. When your wine is ruined it’s too late. The best and the only cure is prevention.