 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| Ensuring Your Wines Taste Good Down the Road |
| Wine storage has gone mainstream. A number of companies build custom cellars for collectors, converting basements and closets into dream cellars. And home builders commonly include wine racks in new homes, frequently putting them above refrigerators. These racks are attractive, handy and just about the WORST place you could put your wine. |
| Wine is a fragile thing and improper storage is a great way to turn your delicious collectibles into expensive vinegar. The primary enemies of wine are heat, light, vibration and to some degree humidity. Each poses a risk to degrade your wine over time. Ideally, wines should be stored between 55 and 62 degrees and at a humidity of approximately 55 percent. Consistency is even more important than the exact temperature. Historically, wines were stored in cellars or caves. Being below ground provided several benefits. The temperature is consistent. The air is moist and it’s mostly dark. Today’s custom cellars can reproduce those preferred conditions through the use of air conditioners, humidifiers and appropriate lighting. Of course a wine rack above your fridge or in your kitchen is just the opposite with temperatures, humidity and lighting that swing seasonally and even vary throughout the day. |
| Find a good location. Basements are generally good for the reasons already discussed, but even a closet or under a bed is better than a main floor, lit room. Just consider all the factors when choosing a location. Don’t store a bottle in your basement if the only space is next to your water heater. There are also off-site storage facilities that maintain ideal conditions for wine storage. Wine Storage of Denver, for example stores wine in customer lockers for less than $2 per bottle per year. A couple of bucks is a wise investment to make sure a pricey wine is perfect and not spoiled. If you’re really a wine collector, you’ll probably eventually consider building your own cellar. Someone who’s handy could build their own cellar without relative ease. There are also plenty of companies who specialize in the design and install of in-home cellars. One such vendor is Wine Cellars of Colorado who estimates that most home cellars can be built for approximately $6 - $10 per bottle capacity. Another Vendor that would be happy to make designing your cellar as easy and painless as possible are our friends over at Wine Cellar Innovations! One of the joys of having proper storage is the knowledge that you can buy wines and save them for the future with full knowledge they'll be at peak drinking quality when you eventually open them. It makes for enjoyment now and down the road. And of course, Incredible Wine And Spirits is happy to help you select those wines. |
