In researching this practice of storing and racking of wine, the variables are many and some are quite different. You would think over thousands of years they would have everything down to a science, but they don’t. But some variables do come together time and again that stand out. That would be wine storage racks.
I have walked through the deep cellars in Bordeaux where monks made their wine and today they are still being used, and traveled to the Napa Valley, and Sonoma where wines are naturally stored in wine storage racks under ground in cool mountain cellars. I have also walked through thematically controlled dark rooms above ground in wineries in California and across Canada and they all have that same common denominator; temperature, humidity, light, vibration. We do not have all these facilities but we sure can come darn close!
A bit of organization is the key to a successful wine storage rack, wine cellar or wine cabinet. It matters little if you are a wine connoisseur or just dabbling with the idea of storing a few “good bottles”. It also matters little if you prefer red, white, sparkling or pink wines, the wine storage is critical.
It would be nice to have your wine storage rack out in view to impress the boss or your visitors or even use it as part of your color decor. But there are a few rules that should be adhered to for storing this nectar which you have diligently paid for and keeping for that special occasion. If your wine is not consumed right away, it should be stored properly according to its own ritual and benefit to you on a Wine Storage Rack. Some essential thoughts to keep in mind would be temperature, humidity, location and light.
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If you are lucky enough to have an area set aside which I will call your “wine cellar”, it should be of a size and design to hold all sizes of bottles you wish to store. Again, it should be kept in the coolest part of your home whether it is simple wooden or metal wine rack in the corner under the sink or closet or an elaborate ornate climate controlled cellar or cabinet for all to see.
Wine Storage Racks come in all price ranges, and are made from wood to metal and in every size and shape imaginable. Wine storage racks and cabinets can be purchased in almost any store or there are plans to build them yourself if your so inclined. There are companies that will design any manner of wine storage racks and cellars to suit your every need. If you are building a rather larger rack or cellar yourself you may want to consult one of these companies for tips on cooling and racking. It will be your investment that will be lying on the wine storage rack!
Temperature should be a constant if possible. Any fast change of temperature will harm the wine, aging it rapidly. So gradual changes of degrees between seasons is what you want. Ideally, try to have a constant temperature in a cool, dark place and slightly humid. Temperatures should range from 13 C – 15 C (55F – 58F) but 5C – 18C (40F – 68F) will work quite well as long as it is at a constant.
Humidity should be watched, you definitely don’t want the corks to dry out as the air will quickly get into the bottles and your wine will deteriorate quickly. Of course here is where some of the data differs. It is said that some oxygen is needed in such minute amounts and I mean minute amounts, to let the wine breath. Then there are the wines that are “corked” if you will, with metal caps. There lies the controversy. If your wine will be stored a very long time I would consult the winery.
Storing left over wine and Nitrogen Sealing. If you do happen to have left over wine and it is hard to understand why, some tips should be considered. Of course if you did have a large gathering and there are many bottles with wine left behind, try to find the correct cork and finish the wine in the next few days. There are also rubber stoppers available which serve as a cap in which air can be pumped out. This will give you a bit of time to finish the wine as well.
As oxygen will destroy your nectar of the gods, a nitrogen wine storage unit can be purchased. It consists of a cylinder of nitrogen attached to a hose which is fitted to the bottle of leftover wine pressurizing it with nitrogen gas. This protects the wine from oxygen in the air.
Of course, instead of storing the left over wine, you can always invite a few friends over the next day and start the party over again. Isn’t that the reason you bought it?
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