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Wine Storage Tips
Corkscrews
Over the years I've had the opportunity to try just about every cork extraction method known to man and I get asked quite often what is the best? The uncorking machines that most good wine bars use are probably the best. They are, however, big and expensive. The easiest method to use at home would be one of the many different cork pulling machines. On the higher end are the Metrokane Rabbit and the VinoPull. Both are good choices, but are a bit pricey if you are not a wine aficionado. Probably the most cost effective way to get a cork out a bottle is the classic waiter's corkscrew. Although some can top $100, most are available for under $20. The Prestigio, the Capitano, and the PullParrot are all favorites. The main thing you want to look at when buying a corkscrew is the screw itself. There are two types, one bad, one good. The good type is the open or helix style screw. If you look down the screw from the pointy end, it should be hollow down the center. The screw should resemble a wire that was wrapped around a pencil. All the opening machines and most waiter's style pullers use this type of screw. The bad type looks like a large screw. The center is solid and the spiral is connected to the center. One thing to be careful with when using a screw type cork puller is to try not to go all the way through the cork. You want to stop just short of going through the bottom of the cork.
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VigilantInc.com Tip: Temperature Guidelines for Wine Storage
Here are some basic temperature guidelines for wine storage.
Champagne and sparkling wine: 43-47° F
White blush, rosé, and dry wines: 46-57°
Light, airy red wine: 55° F
Deep, rich red wine: 59-66° F
Investing in a wine cellar means you have the freedom to customize the space to fit your ceiling height and wall lengths. It also means you'll need to factor in the cooling element to ensure your wines are at the best temperature. For instance, you might consider placing a cooled cabinet for the whites within the wine cellar.
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How To Store Wine
All corked wine should be stored on the side so that the cork remains wet.
Both red and white wine should be stored in an area away from any direct sunlight and extreme heat or cold.
Temperature should remain between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit..
Storage temperature should remain consistent. Don't store wine in a standard refrigerator. The temperature is too cold and fluctuates since the door is opened often.
A small wine refrigerator is ideal for storing white wines since the temperature remains between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Although wine supply companies sell wine refrigerators ranging from 12-100 bottles, they are expensive. A small wine refrigerator (18-24 bottle capacity) can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot for under $150.
White wine should be consumed withing one to three years.
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VigilantInc.com Tip: Temperature & Timing
Consistency is a vital element of wine storage. Wine cellar cooling units are particularly helpful for keeping temperatures even in your cellar. However, your wine cellar cooling unit should not cause the balance of humidity and temperature to fluctuate radically or quickly. (This is why air conditioners are not ideal for wine cellars; they tend to drop the temperature too quickly.) Good systems for wine cooling maintain even adjustments in temperature and humidity, allowing your wine the time to adjust as well.
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Quick Storing tips
Quick Storing Tips
Keep bottles on their sides
Store in cool place with little temperature fluctuation.
For long term storing, maintain high humidity levels (65%-90%)
Keep out of direct sunlight.
Keep away from heavy vibrations.
Buy a little more storage than you think you need.
Find out the age worthiness of your wines before they are past their prime.
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VigilantInc.com Tip: Types of Wine Cooling Systems
The main three types of wine cooling systems are through-wall, ductless split, and ducted systems. Through-wall systems are mounted through the wall of the wine cellar and send exhaust into an adjoining room. The heat from the wine cooling system exhaust will need to be cooled as well, so installing an air conditioner in the "vent room" is a good idea.Ductless split units are similar to through-walls, except that the evaporator coil is in the room along with a split refrigeration unit. The condenser is in an adjoining room or even outdoors. A drain is needed for excess condensation. With a ducted system, you're offered the most complete wine cooling system. The unit is either put in through-wall or installed remotely. Air is ducted into and out from the wine cellar as well as the room in which it's housed, allowing for proper cooling and exhaust.
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Wine Storage System Construction -- Vapor Barriers
There is yet another consideration to think about when constructing your wine storage system, especially in new construction. If your walls are concrete or stone, and you're using a wine cooling system, you have to install a vapor barrier to prevent the moisture from escaping the cellar.
Your builder should discuss the barrier's specifications with the design professionals. They should also investigate local building codes before they install the barrier. The most common vapor barrier is a 6 mil polyethylene installed on warm side of walls and ceilings.
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How Much Wine Storage Do You Need?
Only you know how much wine storage you need and what size cellar you would like to create. However, it's a good idea to over-build, rather than under-build. Give yourself room to grow your wine collection, so you can invest in additional bottles or cases in the future.
Limiting the size of your wine cellar now may really complicate investing in future wine buys. Take into consideration how you entertain, and how often, too. Do you keep extra bottles on hand for parties and celebrations? All of these considerations should add up to building a wine cellar big enough to handle your wine storage needs now and in the future.
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The Perfect Wine Storage System
The perfect wine storage system is the one that best meets your specific needs. However, there are some things to look for. Look for high-quality construction with strong, durable woods. Look for a modular wine storage system that can grow right along with your collection. Look for accessories that add dimension and flexibility to your wine storage system. If you do a little research before you buy, you'll be sure to find the perfect wine storage system for your needs.
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From Wine Storage to Table
When you bring your wines from wine storage to table, there are some things to think about. Champagnes and white wines should spend at least an hour in the refrigerator to make sure they are properly chilled to the right temperature. Reds should stand upright for at least an hour, and perhaps more, to ensure any sediments settle to the bottom. You can serve white wines and Champagnes from a chilled cooler on the table. You can also decant red wines to remove sediments and allow them to breathe. Whatever you do, plan ahead when you serve your wines, and don't just serve them directly from your wine storage to the table.
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What's in the Storage Racks? Wine Storage Management Software
Even if you have a small collection, it can be daunting to remember where every bottle is, and just what vintages you have in your collection. Luckily, there are many software programs and even entire computer systems available that can help you manage your wine collection. You can create a database of wines you own, and would like to own. You can map where each bottle is in your cellar. You can even keep tasting notes and wine auction information. These programs are a must for the serious collector. They'll help you keep your collection manageable and organized no matter how large it grows.
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The Ideal Wine Storage Temperature
The ideal wine storage temperature can ensure longevity of your fine wines while allowing them to age and mature at the optimum level. Wine cellars should be about 50 to 55 degrees, with relative humidity between 60 and 70 percent.
If you want to hold your wines is a type of "suspended animation," where they hardly age at all, the ideal temperature is about 45 degrees. This is a solution for some wines that may pass the point of good drinkability if they are stored much longer at the higher temperatures.
A good wine storage system will allow you to maintain your wines at the optimum temperature and humidity. That will ensure your collection lasts as long as it possibly can, and you'll always be drinking wine at its very peak of perfection.
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White And Red Wines Mature Differently
Consume most red wines sold on the market today within a year. This means that proper storage conditions are necessary in order for the wine to have the full, rich flavor of the label you have chosen.
Consume white wines within two or three years after production for the best flavor available.
White wines generally do not need the amount of time to mature as red wines. The best-quality wines need at least four to ten years to reach maturity and desired flavor. Controlling the conditions in your wine storage area will help you to attain the best result possible for your wine collection.
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Proper Wine Storage Depends on Temperature
Storing wines over a long period is essential to the health of your product.
One of the most important aspects of wine storage is the temperature of the wine cellar. The perfect temperature range for your wine cellar is between 55 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The desired humidity of your wine cellar is between 55 and 75 percent humidity. In order to maintain the above-mentioned conditions for your wine cellar, you must have a completely controlled environment, accomplished through insulation, vapor barriers and a proper cooling system.
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Redwood Wine Storage Racks
Many people prefer redwood wine storage racks because of the look and because of redwood's enduring properties. The issue with redwood wine storage racks is that redwood is endangered, so not only can these be prohibitively expensive and hard to get, you aren't doing the rainforests any favors.
Redwood is also softer than mahogany, so it can dent. Out wine storage tip is to skip the redwood and stick with mahogany. Either that or contact your wine rack retailer of choice and find out what they recommend.
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Home Wine Storage of Champagne and White Wine
Many people wonder if they should store Champagne and white wines in their cellars along with reds. There's no reason not to!
The best wine rack retailers offer systems that are created to hold a variety of sizes and shapes of bottles, so Champagne bottles will fit nicely in your wine racks. Even over-sized bottles, like Jeroboams will fit in bins and diamonds.
Many people like to place Champagne or white wine in the refrigerator for an hour or so before serving, to bring the temperature down a bit more. Otherwise, storing these wines in your cellar is just fine.
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Store Wine Bottles Horizontally
Table wines should be stored horizontally, so that the wine is always touching the cork. When bottles are stored in an upright position, the wine sediment settles at the bottom of the bottle and affects the flavor. As long as the cork continues to touch wine, it will stay moist and prevent air from entering the bottle and affecting the flavor of the wine.
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On its side or not?
On its side or not? Definitely, on its side. Here's why. Oxygen is the worst enemy to the wine inside the bottle. Most wines are sealed from the oxygen with pliable, expansive cork. If the cork dries out, it will shrink and possibly let oxygen enter the bottle and oxidize the wine. Storing wine on its side will keep the cork moist and maintain the protective seal for a long time.
