Wine making is a fun and fulfilling hobby that can bring pleasure to yourself and your friends when you enjoy the fruits of your labor. In order to have a really good wine tasting party, you need to have a few accessories. These accessories can make an average wine tasting turn classy for all of those that are involved. Some are must-haves and others are simply going to make the wine drinking experience much more upscale.

Must Have Accessories

The following items are must-have wine making accessories for any wine maker. While you can do without them, if you plan on making many different bottles of wine, you should have some. These are going to work to your benefit and that of your wine.

• Wine Racks – Wine racks are very important especially if you are making a sparkling wine that needs to be turned a quarter every so often during the fermenting process. Those who are making many different types of wine may also want to have a nice sized wine rack that they can sort out each batch in.

• Bottle Tags – These are great for marking the bottles so you know when each batch was made. They can be dated with the time they can be drank or the date that they were started. Purchase them in different colors to color code your different wine types.

• Decorative Bottle Labels – If you are planning on giving away your wines to friends on special occasions, then you may want to use your computer to create your own decorative bottle label. There are many companies who offer these labels or you can find a label that is the right size at your local office supply store.

Fun Accessories

• Wine Glasses – There are many fun styles of wine glasses that are unique and can bring an exotic look to any table. There are many places to find fun wine glasses online. Those one a budget can check their local thrift stores for different looking wine glasses.

• Decorative Stoppers – These are going to be used in place of corks in the wine bottles. Cork is going out because the trees that produce it have been over harvested. Using these decorative corks is a great way to stopper the bottles that are being given away.

• Decanter and Funnel – Anytime you are racking your wine or decanting it, you are going to be moving it from one bottle to another. Using a funnel with a screen or a decanter with a screen is the best way to ensure that no sediments are going into the decanted or racked bottle of wine.

There you have it- a nice breakdown of items you want to have for wine making at home. With these accessories and tools, you can get the most from your experiences with wine-making and also with how you choose to share it with others.

As the popularity of wine continues to rise, more and more people have made it a point to become educated wine enthusiasts; trying different wines with different meals and keeping those bottles they find the most enjoyable on hand. The storage of wine can be a space challenge, but it can also poise a design challenge. So, for savvy wine connoisseurs, combining form and function is the key to successfully displaying their wine. For them, using a wine rack is the most space efficient, visually appealing, and cost-effective method of display.

There are many wine racks on the market today, of all sizes and materials. But for many wine consumers, the modular wine rack makes the most sense when it comes to displaying their collection. The biggest benefit of the modular wine rack is its ability to grow your collection. While you may just beginning your love affair with wine, as you learn more and experience different types of wine, you may choose to add more bottles to your collection. A modular wine rack – while it may start with space consideration for just a half-dozen bottles – can be added on to as your collection grows. This can also be enormously helpful for price considerations. It may not be necessary to spend the money for a large wine rack with space for fifty bottles when your wine collection is in its infancy. With a modular wine rack, you can add as you go, keeping pace with your interest and collection – and, in so doing, your budget can be paced as well.

A modular wine rack is generally a floor piece that can sit against a wall. As it grows, it is wise to securely bolt the wine rack to the wall behind it as it can pose serious dangers should it tip over onto someone. If you have children in the home, it is doubly important that you mind this risk.

You can find a modular wine rack in a variety of styles – from wood to wrought iron – and in a variety of places. Most large home improvement retail stores have a selection of wine racks, as do some home furnishing stores. You can also find listings for a modular wine rack online where you can even purchase one and have it shipped straight to your door. You’ll find that the modular wine rack is quite simple to put together with some common household tools.

The modular wine rack performs the dual function of organizing your wine bottles and displaying them beautifully. With the added benefit of adding on to its frame, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come.

So you’ve decided to take a large step, and move from wine lover to wine connoisseur. You are going to buy a wine cellar. This guide will give you all the information you need to make this purchase.

Wine Bottle Storage
The ideal location for storing wine is a dark, draftless area that stays at a constant 50-60 degrees, with 60-70 percent humidity. The bottles should be kept on their sides to keep the corks moist, and should be exposed to limited vibrations. This will ensure that you will be able to keep bottles at their best for years to come.

One thing to consider if you decide to purchase a large wine cellar: make sure the unit will fit! This sounds obvious, but many times stand-alone wine cellars are much wider than a standard door. Another thing to think about is weight. Consider not only the weight of the storage unit, but be sure to calculate 3 pounds each for a standard bottle of wine. You might not want to store your wine upstairs. This is another reason that wine is typically stored in a cellar.

Types of Wine Cellars
If you are lucky enough to live in a house, maybe you can use the existing cellar or a spare room, or have one built. Just be sure not to skimp on building materials – it would be silly to have 400 bottles of wine crashing to the floor because you wanted to save a few bucks on thinner wood. Also, be sure the condensation will be able to evaporate; otherwise, the humidity will increase beyond ideal levels. Consider the cellar as an investment.

If you don’t have a large amount of space, you can buy a freestanding wine cellar. While not actually a cellar in the traditional sense, these are large units that can be stored in a house or apartment. They are available commercially for a wide variety of prices. Always consider where you are going to be storing the wine. If it will be kept in your home, you will not need to have as much insulation or as strong of a cooling unit, but a unit kept in the garage will have to be much higher quality.

Building Your Own Wine Cellar
The best location for the cellar is below the level of the house. If your basement has outside walls, keep in mind that north-facing walls will get the least amount of light. Some smaller crawl spaces may not work very well if they experience extreme changes in temperature. The same goes for a garage. The first floor of the house can also be used, and as long as the house stays at a fairly constant room temperature, the cooling unit will not have to work too hard.

Framing
The first step in building a wine cellar is the framing. The outer walls of the basement or room should be framed with 2″ by 6″ wood studs. If the floors are cold, use 2″ by 4″ studs.

Insulation
The next step in the creation of a wine cellar is insulation. The room needs to be kept at the most constant temperature possible. The best type to use is sprayed 2 pound polyurethane, although less expensive methods can used, especially if the cellar is on the first floor of the house. Once again, consider the cellar to be an investment.
Doors
Don’t forget about the door! It needs to have weather stripping and also be insulated. Otherwise all the work done to insulate the walls will be wasted.

Drywall
To finish the walls, use a drywall that is resistant to moisture. Other wall material can be used, but make sure that it will not soak up moisture and that it will not impart an odor on the wine.

Racks
Don’t leave the design of the racks until the end. Start first with this design to make sure that you have enough space for the number of bottles you’d like to store. A good place to start would be to look at the smaller racks available at your local wine store. These will give you ideas on the design you would like. Once again, make sure the construction is sturdy enough for the weight of the wine.

Temperature and Humidity and Wine
As mentioned before, the ideal temperature for wine is between 50 and 60 degrees. If the temperature is too high, it will spoil quickly. If it is too low, it will not age properly. If the temperature changes often, the cork will expand and contract. This may lead to air getting into the wine. Keeping this in mind, never buy wine chilled at a store, as you have no idea how long it has been that way. Also, don’t keep wine in your own refrigerator for more than 1 or 2 days.

Humidity can also damage wine. If the humidity is too low, the cork can dry out. While a tipped bottle will keep one side moist, the rest of the cork can become cracked and brittle.

Also, ensure the wine will be kept in a dark place, away from vibrations. Colored bottles help keep the light out to some extent, but don’t rely on the bottle to keep the light out. Movement may cause the bottles to shift. Wine needs to stay in contact with the cork so it will not dry out and crack, so limit the movement the bottles are exposed to.

Wine Cellar Cooling Units
After you cellar is complete, you can purchase a commercial wine cooling unit. Many of these work similarly to a window AC unit. They vent through a wall rather than being installed in the ceiling. However, if you are below ground or for some other reason cannot use a window unit, there are commercial units that can be installed. These are slightly more costly, but work well in those situations.

Every wine has an ideal aging time. If your wine cellar is built properly, it will keep your wine for years to come.

In order to get the best benefits out of good wines, they first need to sufficiently mature. Wines only get better with time. They must be stored properly during this period of maturing, as factors such as humidity, temperature, and proper lighting play an imperative role. The easiest and most effective way to store wine is to use a wine rack. Wine racks are to be selected carefully, keeping in mind which size of rack that you will require.

There are many choices of wine racks. However, the horizontal types of racks are normally preferred to those that are vertical, especially for wines that will be stored for a long period of time. Vertical racks do tend to dry the cork, which will end up spoiling the wine, just as many tilted racks do. Horizontal racks won’t dry up the cork and allow any unnecessary air contact, leaving your wine which is stored in a horizontal rack to be totally absent of sediment when it is poured. Another benefit is that it is also inexpensive to maintain.

The very wide range of wine racks are normally made of either wood or metal, that can be kept sitting on the floor, or they can be suspended from the ceiling.

A wooden wine rack has an advantage over a metal rack, as it can provide much needed extra storage space. They are strong and hard, and are aesthetically pleasing, mainly because they are made of cedar, maple, and mahogany. The wide range of these wine racks includes Diamond Bin, Rectangular Bin, and the Curved Corner Rack. If none of these are appealing to your creative nature, then you can purchase your own wooden kit which is all ready to make up with all the tools needed, making it very easy to install. This will allow you to create your own design for a rack that you want.

Wine racks which are smaller in size are suitable for homes and personal collections, but larger businesses will usually require larger racks to store larger quantities and varieties. Wine racks are very affordable, with prices that can range anywhere from $20 to $1000. For most home uses of racks, you can look to spend in the neighborhood of $35-$300, which all depends on the style and size of what you are looking for. There is a wine rack for all your needs, it is up to you to find that rack and begin storage.

Wine storage is key to the success of any collection. If you enjoy collecting find wines then you will want to look into the best of all wine storage options. There are many different ways to store your wine but no matter which wine storage solution you choose you will need to keep the conditions constant.

The temperature of any wine storage space needs to be at a constant 50-60 degrees. There should also be plenty of ventilation of the area and this wine storage should be far away from the main area of the house. You do not want to have your wine collection suffering due to too much vibration and you need to keep any source of light to a minimum. No sunlight should be permitted into the wine storage area.

You can use a wine cellar for your wine storage or you can have a special cooler. Wine racks are a necessary part of your wine storage. The wine racks can be made of metal or wood and the wine storage that you choose will be a matter of personal taste. Both of these sorts of racks are wonderful to look at but the metal racks tend to be more flamboyant and stylish while the wood racks are classic and traditional in style.

You may want to choose your racks in order to have them match the rest of your wine storage solution. The final choices that you make will be affected somewhat by whether or not you are planning to show off your wine cellar to your friends. If you are then your wine storage solutions will need to be a little more coordinated.

So look into the wine racks and other wine storage options that will all look well together. Your wine storage area can look like those of a professional wine collector. It is not hard to do but it can cost you a little money.

Your temporary wine storage options are a little simpler. Just before you serve your wine you will probably want to chill it, this of course depends on the wine. In order to store your wine for chilling you can look into cool wine storage solutions. Wine coolers are easy to find, you can find them in many department stores or wine stores. Even the Internet is a great source for finding these types of wine storage options.

Having invested possibly hundreds of dollars in your latest bottle of vintage wine (ah well, we can but dream), the next important decision is where to store this prized possession?

The main issue when it comes to storing wine is that it needs to be maintained at a cool temperature of between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius. Shoved under the bed won’t do.

Many modern wines do not need to be aged over a great period of time; therefore extensive cellars are often unnecessary. Having said this, if you have the time, space and resource to excavate a cellar, your wine will surely benefit. A purpose built cellar is not normally an option for most households and so suitable alternatives must be explored.

Ideal areas for storage include a corner of a garage, garden shed, an unused fireplace or a cupboard that is against an outside wall.

Wherever you choose to store your wine, a few basic criteria are worth keeping in mind.

Choose an area that is less likely to be subjected to fluctuating temperatures caused by household heating systems.

Wines benefit from being kept in dark conditions. Although this is not always practical, wine should certainly be stored in an area that is not exposed it to direct sunlight.

As a final point, always store your wine bottles on their side. Corks are designed to be kept moist, so that they remain airtight and do not crumble when a corkscrew is inserted.

Bear in mind that some wines do not benefit from being stored at all. If you have poor or no storage facilities available, consider purchasing wine that matures quickly such as most white wines or new technology reds or, possibly, a new Beaujolais.

Move wine as little as possible once it has been placed in storage, unless of course it is being moved into a glass!

If you have a particularly special wine collection, it may be worth engaging a specialist company to store your wine for you (Oops, I’m dreaming again). Good storage has been recognized as vital for many wines and as such, many companies now provide storage facilities. Of course, this does not come cheap and is best reserved for those very special bottles or for those experts who are considering selling their wine on, at a future date.

Aside from the brief mention here and there with regards to the Wine Bug or Bugus Erectus, very little mention has been made as to how versatile a wine holder or wine caddy really can be! At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, I would like to point out why I love wine holders and wine caddies.

A wine holder is a great way to display that single bottle of wine that you want to set apart from the rest of your collection. Maybe you have a bottle of wine that you bought while on your honeymoon in France, or maybe it’s just a bottle from the market, which you think is fabulous, either way wine bottle holders are a better option to simply standing it on the counter. We all know that bottles should not be stood up because the cork can dry out and spoil the wine, so not only does a wine holder display you favourite bottle, but it also does this the correct way!

Some wine holders also double as a wine server, which makes it even more appealing. Aside from just showing off a bottle of wine, wine servers also are a great way to serve that Chardonnay or Merlot at a dinner party. From traditional to a little more eccentric, wine servers are always a conversation piece as well as a fantastic method for displaying and serving wine.

How often have you been invited to dinner and showed up with a bottle of wine in a plastic supermarket shopping bag or a brown paper sack from the liquor store? I know I have done it many times, and always feel a little awkward showing up at a nice dinner with the bottle in a brown bag that makes you look like a bum. Enter the wine caddy! Able to hold from one bottle to a few, a wine caddy is, in my humble opinion, a much better way of transporting wine. Some even hold wine glasses, which is perfect if you are looking to have a lovely picnic in the park (be aware of public drinking laws before doing this, while it might be acceptable in some places, others you could get arrested).

So this is why I love the wine caddy and the wine holder! So many styles and so many uses, I only wish I had written about them sooner!

When choosing the type of wine rack you need to consider the following, do you want a freestanding, wall mounted or table top wine rack. For example, one popular choice for wine racks is steel, since this material can be heated and made into beautiful artistic pieces. Wine racks can be made out of several materials. Today you can find any type of wine rack on the internet there are tower, table and wall mounted wine racks.

You can use tall wine racks and great a bar, the way to do this is to place the racks on either side and place a countertop across them. Many people use wood wine racks because these are the best for a large collection of wine and are relatively cheap. Temperature-controlled, freestanding wine racks are a perfect storage system, though they are more expensive than a simple wine rack in a cool spot. When installing a wine rack many people turn to a baker’s style of rack because it puts to good use the extra shelving, there is more storage and there is a work center. Storage racks allow you to organize your wine collection and keep it safe and sound.

Wood is hardy and durable. In addition, it might have mismatched wood grains, which would show if stained. Simple wood racks are available to attach underneath a kitchen cabinet. You can make your selection from pieces made from all types of finished wood and wrought iron, or a combination of materials.

Many of the metal wine racks today combine artistic art with functionality; some have circles, spirals and many other unique designs. Using a metal wine rack allows the wine collector to add artwork and style, while wooden racks are built for functionality. It is important when purchasing wrought iron wine racks that you buy one that is preassembled. Wrought iron wine racks are made to last. Stainless steel wine racks are more moderately priced than wrought iron wine racks, for example, although the latter have become very popular as well.

Wine bottles themselves are elegant and beautiful to look at, and the right wine rack can really add to the visual appreciation of your wine bottles as they await their opening day, whether in a cellar — or on display in your kitchen or living room. Many home owners who keep a wine collection do not have as many bottles as a commercial establishment. Many of the wine racks are designed for everyday use where the wine aficionado is able to retrieve the wine for everyday use. Metal wine racks can be used to store wine bottles but metal wine racks are not as flexible as wood wine racks, with wood racks you are able to adapt them and make different sizes to save space.

There are some wine rack that are able to be divided into separate cabinets, the ability to divide is great because some wines need cooler temperatures while other types of wines do not. Find a spot in your house that stays about the same cool temperature year-round. When choosing where to store your wine make sure you get a suitable wine rack where you are able to control the temperature and the humidity so the wine does not get ruined.

Over the years, wine consumption has become more and more popular. With more and more money going into wine both as an investment and for later consumption, the history of the wine will always be in question. With this in mind, many people often wonder how they can properly store their wine and take care of it at the same time.

How you store your wine is extremely important. If you store it right it can lead to euphoria, while if you store it wrong it can lead to depression. When you tear into a bottle of wine that has properly been stored, it can be glorious indeed, while tearing into bottle of poorly stored wine can be quite the letdown. Often times, drinking a bottle of wine that was poorly stored is much like drinking vinegar.

To properly store wine, you’ll need to meet several factors, such as humidity, temperature, lighting, the cleanliness of your storage area, the angle of the bottle while it is stored, and the vibration of the bottle on the rack. The temperature is the most important, as you should keep it around 50 degrees at all times. This way, the lower temperature can help to age the wine. If there are any fluctuations in the temperature, you should make sure that it happens slowly. As long as the temperature doesn’t go to high and it fluctuates slowly, your wine should be ok.

The proper level of humidity for storing wine should be around 70%, although it is perfectly accepted to keep it 10% above or below the 70% level. If you have too high of a humidity temperature, the labels can easily rot or mold, which can affect the wine’s value. On the other hand, if the humidity gets too low, around 50%, the cork could shrink and bring air into the wine, which would ruin it in little to no time at all.

The angle that wine is stored is important as well. If the wine stays in contact with the cork during storage, the cork won’t dry out. If the wine doesn’t stay in contact with the cork, the cork could dry out and allow air into the wine. You should also strive to keep the wine out of the light, as light can ruin any type of wine. Light causes the wine to age prematurely, making it in your best interest to store wine in a dark location.

To prevent damage to the wine from sediment, you should also store wine in a location that is free of vibration. If you store wine in places that are free from vibration, it will give the sediment in the bottle ample time to settle. Vibrations are never a good thing for wine, as the sediment becomes unsettled and can ruin the wine or shake it to the point where it tastes horrible.

To protect the quality and investment of your wine, storage and care is very important. Storing it in a proper location will also bring the best taste. In the world of wine, nothing is more disappointing than waiting several years to open a bottle of fine wine, only to find that it is nothing but vinegar. You can prevent this from happening though, by taking care of your wine. Wine isn’t hard to care for or store, it just takes the right conditions and location. Everyone loves some fine wine every now and then – which is why storage and care is so very important these days.

Have you ever been in a home with a massive iron wine rack that didn’t quite fit the decor? How about an iron wine rack that is poorly designed but fits in beautifully with the decor? Iron wine racks come in literally thousands of styles and the better ones can be quite functional while still maintaining the room’s “feng-shui”. Iron wine racks are usually black classic wrought iron that hold from a few bottles of wine to many bottles. Some come with places for the glasses and assorted wine accessories. This makes it easy as with this type of iron wine rack, you know where everything is. Have you ever been frustrated at not being able to find your corkscrew or the wine charms that mark specific glasses? This is no longer a problem should you get the correct wine rack.

Iron wine racks can be short and wide or tall and thin. The short ones can be stacked on top of each other, creating a little wine corner that can be built onto like a Lego set. There are lots of options with such wine racks. They can have individual bottle containers or various shaped compartments to hold multiple bottles. This version may be perfect for the person who collects different wines as they give you lots of space for different types of wine.

The tall and thin iron wine racks are frequently called wine jails because they have individual cells and usually a cage door on the front. Find the right spot for one of these long, thin iron wine racks and it can make a lot of difference in a room’s style. Although the wine jails are not designed to be stacked, they can be added onto against a single wall if you have enough space. They can hold 40 or 50 bottles of your favorite wine each. Being as compartmentalized as they are lends them well to an inventory system. When a cell is empty, providing you store them with a sequence, you will know right away which one you need to purchase to keep the rack full.

Types of Wine Racks

There are many types of wine racks available. One of the most sought after types of racks are the designer wine racks. They come in wood, wrought iron, plastic, and concrete. They look sharp and hold your collection securely. There are over 20 different designer racks on display at http://www.wineenthusiast.com. They come in all shapes and sizes and are priced quite reasonably. On the site, they have categorized the racks as to price, bottle count, height, width and depth.

Decorative wine racks are supposed to complete a room. They lend themselves to being a focal point in some rooms. They also come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and bottle count. At http://www.wineenthusiast.com, they have over 60 very sharp looking wine racks. Price ranges from 19.95 to almost 1,000 dollars so there is something for every budget. The most expensive model, the Bamboo Bar Cart is an example of functionality. It has wheels and space for everything you need to serve wine or other drinks. It has compartments for wine glasses and wine bottles. It has a butcher block parquet top for drink preparation, along with shelves and drawers for all your supplies. This is a quality unit made from bamboo and some stainless steel for things like towel dispensers and handles.

Functionality of wine racks isn’t limited to just bottles and wine accessories. Some wine racks also double as furniture. While not cheap, these units combine style, functionality and multiple uses. They range up from 200 dollars to almost 8,000 dollars.

VintageView wine racks are quite distinctive and are generally a showplace for your most prized wine bottles. They display the bottles with a minimum of coverage but a sturdy support system. This model is perfect for the serious wine collector who wants their guests to go ooh and ahhh. These are really quite reasonable starting at 10 bucks for a one bottle display unit to 80 dollars for a 30 bottle unit. They usually have a distinct support system for the bottles such as just holding the bottles by the neck or the base, displaying the bottle very prominently.

These are just a few of the models available. There are many more types and sizes and price ranges for wine racks at http://www.wineenthusiast.com. With all the choices available, you have a myriad of possibilities and styles. From oak cabinets to wrought iron wine racks to new age materials, you can make a room very stylish just with the addition of one of these beauties.

As the years pass, the quality and taste of wine changes. The manner in which wine is stored can either slow or hasten this natural process. Whether you are storing white or red wine, sparkling whine or champagne, it may be necessary to invest in a wine storage cooler in order to protect your assortment of fine beverages.

Wine storage coolers are available in a vast array of stores. Even the lower end consumer retailers have gotten into the party. It is not uncommon to find great deals on these products from stores like Walmart and Target. Of course, for the more luxurious wine aficionados out there, high end retailers have more aesthetically pleasing and electronically sound wine storage cooler for sale.

What does a wine storage cooler do? It sounds simple and many of you are probably wondering why not just use the household refrigerator. The reason for this is that the storage temperature required for food to be kept fresh and the temperature required to keep wine properly cooled is different.

Food generally requires a much lower temperature. Another reason is that the continuous opening of the refrigeration causes temperature readings to change. Wine needs to be kept at a constant temperature in order to preserve its color, taste and quality.

Another problem to consider is that different types of wine require different temperature settings. You are not going to have this flexibility with a standard refrigerator. Many wine storage cooler are manufactured with the ability to delegate different temperature and humidity zones. For instance, if you have a fine bottle of white and a deep red wine, you can set two different settings in your wine storage cooler to ensure the preservation of the liquid.

Besides the obvious usefulness of the wine storage cooler, there is an aesthetic component to having one in your home. When a visitor sees a wine storage cooler, the immediate connection is made with luxury and class.

There are a ton of products on the market for you to choose from. The best way to begin your search is by viewing consumer reports, fine wine magazines and doing some Internet research.

If you go to wine tasting events, you might want to ask some of the other attendees and even the wine manufacturers which devices are the best to keep your wine as fresh as possible.

Wine often changes over time. Itís very important to produce desirable changes to avoid harmful ones. You can do this by exercising control over many physical changes in the wine itself. Nothing spoils wine faster than excess air. This excess air not only causes the wine to lose freshness but it also causes the wine to oxidize. The result often create premature aging and before long, you have vinegar instead of wine. Fortunately, glass does not allow air into the wine stored and a good corking will keep the air exchange to a minimum for years to come.

To ensure that proper aging occurs in the wine, wine has some air in the bottle to start with. It is very important to make sure that the cork remains moist so that no additional air is allowed to enter the bottle. It is advised that you store your wine horizontally to keep the cork from cracking or shrinking, thus letting in the unwanted air your wine does not need.

Proper temperature storage is vital to ensure that the wine stays drinkable before you open it. If a wine is stored in conditions that are too cold, it causes the cork to shrink allowing air to enter the bottle. If the conditions are too warm, the wine will age faster than it normally should.

The optimum temperature for storing wine is generally fifty to fifty five ∞F (10-12∞C). Any constant temperature within forty-sixty-five ∞F (5-18∞C) is normally acceptable. The rate of the temperature change also plays an important role. A ten degree change over a season is usually harmless, but rapid changes can severely damage wine, even when stored within the desired temperature.

Along with controlling temperature and humidity, light exposure should be kept to a bare minimum. Often darkness is preferred by wine growers. Though modern bottles come with a good UV filter, light can still penetrate leading to a condition called ‘light struck’. This shows up as an unpleasant air in the wine itself. Incandescent bulbs produce less ultraviolet light than fluorescents so make sure you use the correct lighting in the process.

Vibrations also interferes with aging and stirs up unwanted sediment. Try to avoid moving any bottles until they are ready to be served. Bottle size also plays a part in storing your wine. A larger bottle actually has a smaller ratio of air to wine so as a rule, always use a large bottle. Once the bottle has been opened and you don’t expect to drink the rest in a few days, it’s important that you transfer the leftover to a small bottle. Generally, if you’re a casual drinker and drink your wine within one year after purchase, you can store wine just about anywhere that is not exposed to light or heat. That usually ensures that wine stays wine and your wine is protected and safe.

For some people, the storage and acquisition of wine is more than just a hobby, it is an art.

Wine connoisseurs all know that the proper storage of wine is important to its final flavor. Once it is already bottled, wine will still mature and gain body and flavor. Proper care should be taken when handling wine, or else its potential for greatness will go to waste. To keep their wine well preserved, the discriminating connoisseur will choose a proper wine rack.

How to Buy a Wine Rack

The Build
Wine racks can be made of so many different materials and styles. You should consider which material and style fits your needs and preference. You could have wood, glass, alloy, or metal racks. Some people try to choose materials that match their living rooms. There are a variety of styles of wine racks, find one that is convenient for you. The popular styles include counter top racks, diamond bins, cabinets and others.

The Essential Elements
A good wine rack will ensure that the following elements are strictly controlled. Light, humidity, temperature, stability. If you want to keep your wine well preserved and ready for ambush party, you need to make sure they are not exposed to light, moisture, extreme temperatures and shaking or vibration.

Cabinet wine racks are good at keeping wine bottles safe. They can emulate the conditions at a wine cellar best. These condition include moderate humidity, cool temperatures, and little light

We try to control the humidity so we can avoid getting the wine cork from accumulating moisture. This will lessen the chances that the wine will get contaminated or oxidized.

Keeping the correct humidity or appropriately moist environment will keep the wine cork damp, reducing the chances of contamination and/or oxidization. Warm conditions will accelerate wine aging. You have to keep this in mind when you consider which wine rack to choose.

Things to Remember

Don’t place wine cellars above or near refrigerators. Refrigerators generate heat and this heat could ruin your wine collection. Buying and installing a good wine rack would be useless if that happens.

Your rack has to be smooth enough that when the wine bottles are put and taken, they will not get scratched and damaged. Bottles and labels are also important parts of the overall value of wine.

A wine cellar is great but not necessary to store your wine in the correct environment. But since not everyone can afford a wine cellar or has space enough for one, you could opt for a wine rack instead. Wine racks function a lot like wine cellars, but they are smaller and are more accessible. They are also a lot cheaper and easier to install.

Believe it or not, ultraviolet light can affect and ruin wine. That’s the reason wine cellars are so dark and that’s why you have to keep your wine in a dark safe place. When you store your wine bottles, make sure they are stored sideways; this ensures that the wine is always in contact with the cork to keep it moist.

Once again we cannot express how important it is to maintain the right conditions for your wine to mature nicely. Your wine rack system has to maintain the right amount of humidity and temperature to keep your collection going. Bear in mind that wine is something you keep for a long time. Keep your wine racks pumping a temperature range of 55-60° F. Also make sure the humidity is in the 50% to 75% range. Adjust these settings according to the needs of your wine.

Start Planning for Your Wine Rack Now!

Well, now you have pretty much gotten everything in order. When a party comes crashing through, you can whip out the grade A wine and celebrate to your hearts content. Pour out the good times to the tune of the compliments and admiration your friends will throw your way all because of your fine wine rack.

For wine to mature in the proper way, you’ll need to have the right humidity, temperature, light condition, and movement. Whenever you are storing wine for any amount of time, you’ll need to ensure that the wine is in a safe place. Even though there are a few ways that you can store wine, none are safer or smarter than using a wine rack.

When you choose your wine rack, you should always remember to choose one that will store your wine properly. There are a several styles to choose from, including those that stack, wall mounts, and side mounts. You should also pay attention to size as well, as the sizes range from storing a few bottles to storing hundreds. You’ll also have a lot of varieties and designs to select from, all of which depend on your needs and your space.

Among the best types of wine racks are the horizontal racks. Contrary to what many may think, vertical racks aren’t a good choice for storing your wine. Wine that is stored on vertical racks are stored vertically, which means that the cork will dry out and eventually start to shrink, bringing air into the wine and ruining it. On the other hand, vertical racks can come in handy when storing wine for short periods of time, or wine that is best consumed young.

Tilted racks are another type of rack you should avoid using, as they can dry out the corks or deposit the sediments too close to the cork. For your wine storing needs, you should always go with a horizontal rack. Horizontal racks will keep the cork moist, and keep unwanted air from making contact with the wine. The sediment will fall towards the side of the bottle, preventing spillage when you pop the cork. Horizontal racks are also very affordable and you can always add more racks to the design with little to no problem.

The materials for wine racks are normally wood or metal. You can hang them from ceilings, mount them on the wall, or simply place them on the floor. Metal racks are the strongest, although wood is more flexible. Wooden racks provide a bit more storage, for the simple fact that you can always add to them. Wood racks are also visually appealing, durable, and provide plenty of strength.

All in all, a wine rack is a fine investment for anyone who appreciates wine. There are various sizes to choose from, all of which are very affordable. The small to medium sizes work best for homes, while the large styles are best for commercial settings. No matter where you keep your wine – you can count on a wine rack to keep your wine stored for years to come.

A counter top wine rack is a perfect solution for wine enthusiasts (or wine enthusiasts at heart) looking for a short term storage solution for smaller quantities of wine. Not only are they stylish, but they are also available in so many varieties of styles, materials and capacities that there is a counter top wine rack to fit the personal tastes of almost anyone. What most people don’t understand, however is that using a counter top wine rack is not as simple as placing it on a counter and filling it with bottles of wine. If your wine is going to be consumed quickly this might be ok, but if you are looking to store a bottle of wine for even more than a couple of weeks there are a few things which should be kept in mind to help keep your wine tasting it’s best when you pop the cork.

1.Temperature: A wine rack should never be placed where it is going to be in close contact with extreme heat, whether it is a counter top wine rack, floor standing or wall mounted. Never place a wine rack near a heater, stove, oven or other appliance that generates heat. Wine that becomes too hot can “cook” and degrades the wine. On the contrary, some wines should never be store in extreme cold either. For example, a wine rack storing red wine should never be stored near cold drafts.

2.Sunlight: can also affect the aging process. It is important to keep wines out of direct sunlight, which is one reason many wines, especially reds, are distributed in tinted bottles. As such, white wines are usually the most susceptible to sunlight. Even though UV rays can still affect and if left long enough ruin, a bottle of wine, if your are using a counter top wine rack for short term storage of wine just keeping the bottles out of direct sunlight will be sufficient.

3.Vibration: If storing wines for any length of time it is best to put it in a place where large heavy vibrations will not be occurring. For example in my kitchen I have an under counter washing machine/dryer which tends to vibrate and shake quite a bit when in the spin cycle. It would be unwise of me to put a counter top wine rack on that counter because the vibration from the washing machine would cause the wine to become shaken up and disturb the sediment.

Keeping these three simple factors in mind might initially make it a little more difficult to find the perfect place to put your counter top wine rack, but you will thank yourself for it when you open your first bottle of wine and it tastes perfect!

What does a wine cellar do? Think before you answer, because you need to be absolutely certain of the purpose of a wine cellar before you begin to build a wine cellar of your own. Increasingly, given the rising number of wine aficionados around the world, a residential wine cellar is gaining ground as a status symbol for both the mature connoisseur as well as the entry-level enthusiast, but its utility extends far beyond that.

Essentially, a wine cellar is a storage space that protects wine from potentially damaging external influences. Because wine is a natural, perishable food product, it is vulnerable to exposure mainly from heat, light, and humidity. However, if stored properly, wines not only retain their quality, but also improve with regard to aroma, flavor, and richness as they mature.

Building your own wine cellar
Before you begin, remember that the ideal wine cellar must provide constant temperature, humidity, and darkness. Add to that well-ventilated and clean surroundings, and your favorite Chardonnay and Cabernet are in good hands. So what are the basic steps to keep in mind?

- The more you research, the better your chances of building the perfect wine cellar. The Internet offers a vast number of sites that offer wine cellar kits. Prices for these kits may range from USD 2000 to about 4000, but that’s a slightly conservative estimate, and process can increase depending on the quality of your wine cellar racks. Bottom line: don’t scrimp on costs because ultimately, your expensive wines will suffer.

- Depending on the size of your house, you may choose to place your wine cellar below or above ground. Obviously, those with larger houses can accommodate wine cellars above ground, but the basement is the safest bet because it will support the combined weight of the cooler and the racks.

- Your area selected, begin work on insulation. All inner walls must have at least R-11 insulation while outer walls and the ceiling must have at least R-19. If you choose the basement, a vapor barrier with a concrete sealant over it will be adequate for the floor. The vapor barrier – usually a 6mm polyethylene plastic sheet – should face outward (the ‘warm’ side of the cellar), as opposed to the ‘cold’ side. This is something you have to be careful of: if the sheeting faces inward, damp will set in and damage the walls.

- Next, install a door. The ideal door must be solid, windowless, and insulated – NOT wooden, because they are not adequately insulated. Also ensure that the weather stripping is adequate and the door is airtight.

- A very important step is to place the cooler, which is ideally placed at the back of the area for aesthetic purposes! Typically, the cooler should be placed between crosswise boards about 6 inches down from the ceiling.

- Finally, finish the walls and lights. Use a drywall to finish off the walls and cover up with durable strip paneling. When installing the lights, avoid recessed lights because they make the cellar less than airtight. Aim for simplicity and you’ll be ok. But remember, light switches are best placed outside, or else they get in the way of your wine racks.