Wine cellars are no longer just for the rich. As more people become interested in wine both as an investment and as a hobby, wine cellars have increased in popularity for many people. If you have had to throw out a bottle of wine because it does not taste good, you probably already understand the value of a good wine storage solution.
There are a number of reasons for you to stop storing your wine in the cupboard or on top of your refrigerator and invest in a wine cellar instead. Consider the following benefits of a wine cellar:
Wine is perishable. It is a natural food product so it can go bad if it is exposed to heat, light or if it is stored in a location where factors like the temperature and humidity fluctuate. Even a mild temperature spike can ruin a wine. When it is properly stored, the quality of a wine can be preserved or even be improved; this is one of the key reasons that serious wine collectors have wine cellars. Wine refrigerators are only useful for hobbyists who want to store their wines for a short time before they drink them. A wine cellar is for those who store their bottles for years. Over time, a well-stored wine can develop more a more complex flavor and aroma.
The ideal temperature for a wine cellar is a consistent 55 degrees Fahrenheit or slightly cooler. Excessive humidity can damage the corks, which can cause the wine to oxidize and spoil. The ideal humidity to preserve corks is in the 50 to 70 percent range.
Red wines “throw sediment” as they age; vibrations in a wine’s environment can disturb this sediment and diminish a wine’s quality. Studies have shown that a vibration-filled environment can reduce the quality of a wine in as short a time as 18 months. One of the benefits of a wine cellar is that it protects your wines from vibrations that are produced by machinery or movement. Once you lay a bottle down in storage, it should not be moved again until you are ready to open it.
A wine cellar is especially important if you own a large collection or plan on getting one. A built-in wine cellar allows you to keep your entire inventory in one place as well as all the paraphernalia that goes with it.
Easy access to all of your wines can make the task of managing your collection simpler as you can stock and organize your wines with relative ease. With an organized wine collection, you will be more aware of exactly which wines you have; this means that you can choose when to have them based on when they are at the peak of their quality.
If you have a safe place to store your wine, this means that you can buy your wine by the case instead of as individual bottles. Buying in quantity means that you pay less per bottle. You also get to take full advantage of sells by buying in bulk at a discounted price. These are just some of the ways that your wine cellar can pay for itself.
When you have a wine cellar, you can invest in more expensive and higher quality wines with confidence. Having a place to store your wines properly means that they can appreciate in value thus making you money when you sell them. You can also make money as a result of the value that a professionally-installed wine cellar adds to your home. For many homebuyers, a wine cellar is an instant plus for a property. A serious wine collector may be willing to pay considerably more just for the convenience of having wine storage already built in.
A wine cellar is not merely a utilitarian addition to your home; it should be aesthetically pleasing as well as useful. Remember, you are also making an investment in your home. When you have your wine cellar installed by the right contractor, you will have the opportunity to choose components that suit your taste and mesh well with the rest of your home.
When stocking your wine cellar, note that not all wines benefit from long-term cellaring. Get the most benefit by investing in the wines that cellar well. It is also a good idea to have your wine cellar installed by professionals like those at Harkraft; contact us for more information.
