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.

Cultivating an appreciation of wine is a growing trend in the US. Shops specializing in wine are appearing throughout the country, not just in the traditional vineyard regions of California, Oregon, and Virginia. People who may not have grown up around wine are now drawn not only to sampling but also to collecting it. Tasting parties and special wine pairing events are a common theme in restaurants and in the home. With this comes an increase in interest in home storage. While proper storage can help wines become even more exquisite, improper storage can lead to ruined wine.

A freestanding, temperature controlled wine rack is ideal, but much more expensive than a simple wooden or metal wine rack. However, it is not necessary to spend several thousand dollars to enjoy wine in your home. If you can find a dark, cool, slightly humid location in your house, you will be able to then select a simple rack that will keep your wine for years to come. The ideal location will be 50-60 degrees, with constant 60-70 percent humidity.

Wine Rack Kits

One way to cut down on cost is to build your own wine rack. For first-time enthusiasts, it is probably best to stick to a wine rack kit. There are many considerations when designing a wine rack, and starting from a kit will keep the wine in the rack where it should be – the last thing you want is the whole thing to come crashing to the floor due to a miscalculation.

There are many commercially available wooden racks that offer snap-together assembly, requiring nothing more than a hammer. These inexpensive kits are usually made of redwood or pine, and can be bought for under $35.

The most important thing to keep in mind when building your own wine rack is to consider the strength of the rack. A bottle of wine weighs approximately 3 pounds, so the weight adds up quickly. Make sure not only the rack but the floor itself can handle the weight, keeping in mind the weight of the rack.

If the kit is wooden, make sure the wood has been dried properly (no more than 14% moisture), and that the cross sections are no less than 3/8″ (1/2″ is better).

Also, make sure the wine is stored horizontally so that the wine stays in contact with the cork. A dry cork signifies that the wine has been damaged.

Wine Rack Capacity

How much wine do you need?

While having 1500 bottles of wine on hand sounds exciting, most people have neither the space nor the wallet to support such a venture. If you would like to have something for everyday, a 15-30 capacity rack should meet your needs. That way, you can have 2 bottles of sparkling wine, 3 bottles of red (merlot or cabernet), 3 bottles of white (chardonnay, pinot grigio, or white zinfandel), one bottle each of red and white cooking wine, and still have room for a few special bottles that you plan to let age for years. Also keep a nice red ready for company, and a reisling or shiraz for a spicy meal. Have one bottle of white wine on hand in the refrigerator (it will only last in there for a week), and you’ll be ready for any gathering. A 30-bottle capacity rack is enough for a wine-tasting, an extended gathering, or for someone who likes to try a different wine every day.

Also, keep in mind that most wine rack manufacturers list the total bottle capacity. This may be different from racked wine capacity, as total capacity may have bottles stacked directly on top of each other. While this will not damage the wine, it is not as aesthetically pleasing and may be inconvenient when getting the wine out of the rack.

Styles of Wine Racks: Location is Key

Wine racks come in many styles. Racks can be freestanding cabinets, counter top, or wall mounted.

When choosing a style, keep the following in mind:
How much space do you actually have?
Do you want the wine rack to be visible, or would you rather have a large, hidden wine rack that does not necessarily match your home’s decor?
Where can you put the wine rack?

The most important part of your choice is the location. If you choose a rack that is not freestanding, make sure it is protected from vibrations. It is not a good idea to put the wine rack next to the sink where the disposal will rattle it. Never place the rack on the top of the refrigerator, as it gets very warm. Also, keep the rack away from a window, as the temperature may vary too much, and UV light will damage the wine.

If you can not find a wine rack to fit in that perfect location and you are not confident of making your own, consider having a custom wine rack created just for you. While this option is more expensive than an off-the-rack version, it is still much less than the freestanding units, and can keep your wine for years to come.

Wine Rack Material

Wine racks come in a variety of materials, from wood to metal to glass. Whether you choose one made of mahogany or steel depends on a variety of factors, include cost, weight, and appearance.

Wooden Wine Racks

The most common type of wine rack is the wooden wine rack. It is generally easier to assemble and relatively light. Common woods are pine, cedar, spruce, oak, and redwood. Another less common wood is mahogany. Mahogany is a high quality wood and is used in both moderate and expensive racks.

Metal Wine Racks

Metal wine racks are becoming increasingly popular, especially those made of steel. They are very strong and last longer than wooden racks with less care. They can be painted to match any home. They can also be formed into a wider variety of shapes while maintaining their strength.

Choosing a wine rack should be an enjoyable process. Consider it an investment for all the wines you will try today as well as those you will keep for a special occasion down the road.