Many people will be unwilling to make this much commitment however and are really looking for somewhere to store a dozen or two bottles. They could be kept in an attic, basement or corner of a spare-room under an insulation blanket, or even in an old fireplace or possibly under the stairs. It is useful if possible to keep a bowlful of water on the ground near the wine to keep the humidity level up. Bottles can be stored in wooden wine cases, or those made from the strongest cardboard, so long as the corks are kept damp.
A proper wine rack will last longer and can be made to any shape you specify. Double depth models can be useful. The worst place to store wine a fact unbeknown to many kitchen designers is by a cooker or on top of a fridge where there are frequent blasts of hot air.
If you are serious about wine you can buy an 'artificial cellar', a temperature- and humidity-controlled cabinet like a refrigerator which keeps reds and whites at pre-ordained temperatures in different parts of it.
Eurocave is the leading supplier in the UK. It is also possible to buy a spiral cellar which can be sunk into a specially excavated hole under ground level, but the installation can be messy.
Much the easiest option in some ways, particularly if you have a large quantity of young wine, is to have it stored by professionals, either under the auspices of the merchant s you bought it from or directly with one of the specialists in wine warehousing. Some of these also offer advice on when to drink your wines. For more information on storage providers, see Where to store.
Wine is just as much about personal preference, as it is about science and chemistry. Therefore, if you ask different wine collectors what temperature they store their wine at, the answers may vary. Individual taste can be very subjective, this is because some people enjoy wine more aged to enjoy secondary flavors, while others prefer a younger, cleaner wine.
While most wines today are under screw-cap, it still pays to understand the ideal conditions for keeping wines sealed with cork. If conditions are too dry, the cork might shrink and your wine may become oxidised. White wines are much more susceptible to oxidisation than reds, since the tannins in red wine act as a buffer.
Many experts believe that exposing wine to vibration affects the chemical reactions that naturally occur over time, causing premature — and undesirable — changes to its developing character.
It could also result in the sediments of older wines becoming agitated, keeping them from settling naturally, and possibly introducing unwanted grittiness to what would otherwise be a beautiful wine. For best results, avoid storing your wines near appliances like washing machine, clothes dryers, dish washers, fridges and any other sources of vibration and heat. Storing wine where it can be exposed to sunlight is a big no-no when it comes to optimal preservation.
Delicate white and Sparkling wines are most commonly affected, as the phenolic compounds in red wine largely serve as a barrier to protect it from becoming light-struck. Avoid window sills, benchtops or racks that receive full light. Your future wine-loving self will thank you for it! Looking for more great advice on all things wine? Costs can vary greatly depending on size, construction quality and features. A wine that needs to be chilled can always be transferred to the fridge.
Two-zone units usually end up with some reds being stored in the colder shelves. In addition, there is more to go wrong technology-wise. Higher-end models like those by Eurocave will have not just temperature control, but also humidity regulation and vibration dampeners. They may also run more quietly. Other specialist brands to look for include Transtherm and Cavavin. Miele, Liebherr and Sub Zero are among the kitchen equipment brands who sell top-notch wine cabinets.
If you are looking at lower priced versions, check that they are more than a fridge with wooden shelves and a glass door. Some "wine fridges" are only that; lack of humidity control means long term storage may risk corks drying out. This has been something of a fad over recent years — initially inspired by salvaged bottles from wrecks.
In Spain , apparently, around a dozen wineries store wines underwater. Reports suggest cork bottles that are not wax sealed gain a slight salinity.
There are various options to have your wine stored by professionals. The UK has various bonded warehouses, where wine is stored after purchase, and the customer pays duty and tax when withdrawing the wine at a later date. Not all such warehouses are climate controlled, however in some, the sheer size of the space helps moderate conditions. Most company websites will proclaim their facilities loudly and proudly.
In the US, a number of businesses offer storage in controlled conditions. Movement of liquor across state lines provides an additional complication which may limit choice of facilities, and it also pays to do due diligence before entrusting your precious wine to a stranger.
A rather sudden decision to take a mid-career break to study winemaking in New Zealand meant I was half a globe away from or so decent bottles. These had been collected during 15 years working in the London wine trade. The bottles had to go from my pantry into my parents' garage, which got really hot in summer and icy in winter. It also contained the washing machine and dryer, which affected humidity. My Dad saw my ungrateful look of panic and promised to do his best and build a wine cabinet for me.
He used some kitchen cabinet off cuts to make a tall cupboard, then cut polystyrene sheets to fit the inside surfaces between the shelves and on the inside of the door. In my current rental, I have foregone the cabinet, and just have my best bottles in polystyrene inners from wine transit cases at the bottom of my bedroom cupboard.
Those with just a few bottles to protect can also use an old cooler. Damp cloths are my humidity control. Of my garage bottles, many have been opened since , either in England or after a flight back to Auckland.
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