Many wine-makers claim the grape-growing process is arduous, complex, and by far the most important step of the process. Others yet will say that the best-grown grapes in the world are irrelevant if the wine-making itself is not done carefully and precisely.
But ultimately, for wines made with ageing in mind, the wine storage process can hold and equal amount of gravity. For the wine collector, cautiously stashing your wine is of the utmost importance.
Since wine is a natural product with inherent fluctuation, there will always be factors outside of your control. Wines made with less intervention carry a certain degree of bottle variation. All wines, regardless of production method, are susceptible to the sometimes extreme climate characteristics each year may bring.
If you’re buying vintage wines that have shifted hands, you can never be sure they were consistently held within the most stable conditions. And, at the end of the day, it’s grape juice, and sometimes it just goes bad!
The good news is, there are many factors well within your control when it comes to caring for your wine collection.
You may be drafting the plans for your first cellar. Or perhaps you’ve been doing this for years. Either way, here is a quick crash course on wine storage.
Dark, Damp, and Drafty – The Perfect Site For Wine Storage
Like humans, wine emerged from caves. Many ancient wine production methods involved caverns, clay pots, and even burying wine during the fermentation process. So in many ways, wine is most at home when it’s in a cave-like environment.
That’s why an ideal wine cellar emulates all the best characteristics of a cave (no bats or bears, thankfully). Ideally, you want a cool, dark, and moist climate for your wine storage.
Depending on who you ask, ideal cellar temperature sits around 55°F (13°C). Never allow temperatures to exceed 77°F (25°C). This approaches the temperature where wine may start to ‘cook’ – or develop raisinated and stewed characteristics.
Cellar temperature sits just between the ideal serving temperatures of white and red wine. So if you intend to drink something from the cellar, you may want to chill your white a bit or let your red sit out for a few minutes first.
Experts say anywhere between 50%-80% humidity is perfect for wine storage. Too much humidity can cause mold to form on your labels, though it won’t damage the wine itself. Too little, however, can dry out the wine’s cork and allow excess air to seep past. This can speed up the oxidization process, and shorten the shelf life of your wine.
When it comes to light, less is more. Use iridescent bulbs as opposed to fluorescent. Fluorescent light contains trace amounts of UV rays, which can damage your wine. Iridescent bulbs won’t damage the wine, but, if left on, can fade your labels over time. It is recommended that you keep the lights out when you’re not checking in on your collection.
Finally, if you’re keeping it small-scale and souping up a closet or spare room, stay away from running appliances. If your future cellar contains a refrigerator, heating pipes, water softener – anything like that – find a better-suited spot. Vibrations are said to speed up the ageing process, as they excite the molecules within the wine.
This could be a bit of superstition. But when we’re talking potentially tens of thousands of dollars in wine, why take the risk?
Constructing the Cave – Build Your Own Wine Storage
If you’re the DIY breed of wine collector, you might want to assemble your own cellar for your wine storage.
You’ve read through the tips above. You’ve found the perfect spot. Now you want to start knocking down beams and putting up shelving.
Here are a couple things to think about while you’re drafting blueprints.
The first and most important step is to make sure you obtain the proper permits to build a cellar. If you’re renting, be sure to speak with your landlord before moving ahead with any plans. And follow local, state, and federal construction building codes while undergoing development.
Consider investing in insulation. While a good cooling system is a great way to maintain that 55°F ideal, insulation can save you loads of money in the long run. Use a vapor barrier to insulate your space while also absorbing moisture. Or, think about spray foam to keep temperatures consistent.
For cooling and humidity, there are several great companies out there that build systems specifically for wine storage. These units will maintain the ideal temperature and humidity for your space. That way you don’t need to stress over constantly calibrating your equipment to fit the specs.
For interiors, there is a reason you don’t run into many vinyl-floored wine cellars. You want to go with materials that can withstand the cool humidity of the space.
Wood is always an ideal candidate, as it breathes easily. If you don’t mind the look, concrete is the way to go. Just keep in mind that concrete is the least forgiving if a bottle slips through your hands.
Consider lining the floors with rubber matting to absorb the shock of a falling bottle. But keep an eye on them, and be sure to replace them at the first sign of rot.
For your door, use an exterior-grade glass door with weather stripping. You want to make sure the seals around that door won’t rot over time, releasing temperature and humidity. If you don’t mind sacrificing the aesthetic, use a solid wood door with the same sealing.
When picking racks for wine storage, optimize for space over aesthetics. While we would all love a cellar that looks like a display at Crate and Barrel, you should aim for pragmaticism. Plan on having twice as much space as you think you’ll need. Wine collections add up quickly, and you don’t want to have to part with bottles because of space restrictions.
And always, always, always store wine on its side! This is an absolute must for wine storage. When stored on its side, the wine will continually moisturize the cork. And as mentioned before, if a cork dries out, it allows excess air to seep in.
Ready to Sell Your Wine Collection?
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When you could be waiting months to sell your wine at an auction house for unknown prices, RareWineBuyers.com can price and purchase your collection in a heartbeat – packing and transportation included! Even better, we’ll purchase your entire inventory; no unfair cherry-picking.
Contact us for more information on our services. We can help you sell your wine collection today!