The Wine Bottle

Installing your own wine cellar can help keep your special wine collection protected. For wine to age properly and to develop the intricate layers of taste as intended, wine should be kept in a cellar away from the low humidity, temperature fluctuations and imperfect storage the majority of the average home experiences.

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

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

Your wine cellar can be an expression of your taste – perhaps you simply want practicality, and as much storage in a small space as possible. Alternately, 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 note 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.

You will want to come to the design process with an understanding of how you think of your wine collection. Some bottles resemble art pieces, so you can display them prominently. Sometimes you may like to showcase a rare vintage, or perhaps decorate your space with wine-related arts or crafts that bring ambience to the space.

A range of storage methods pleasantly 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 reserved 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 gain most from being stored in a cellar, especially varieties that acquire their best quality from long-term storage. Many people imagine that cellars have to be located in the basement or otherwise beneath the house, when in fact they can actually be set up in any area of the house as long as the temperature and humidity levels can be sufficiently controlled. Make your wine cellar a genuine tribute to your passion for wine.

If you want to find out more about wine cellars, click over to http://www.infoaboutwine.com

Tags: storing wine, wine, wine cellar, wine storage