You protect your valuables by storing them in a vault. You protect your money by putting it in the bank. Why then should you not store your wine under the best wine cellaring conditions to ensure that your wine investment is protected?
Best Conditions for Building a Wine Cellar
For those individuals desirous of building an optimal wine cellar, there are a number of essential wine cellar conditions to keep in mind if the wine cellar is to function at its best.
Temperature
Temperature control is arguably the most important factor in building a wine cellar. The best temperature for a wine cellar is between 12 and 16 degrees Celcius. However, it is imperative that the cellar temperature remains constant. A gradual change in wine cellar temperature (e.g. between seasons) is ok, but any temperature changes throughout the course of a day or two may significantly damage your wine collection. Warmer temperatures will accelerate the ageing process of your wine, and temperature shifts will damage the integrity of the cork as it constantly expands and contracts with varying temperatures.
Location
The best location for a wine cellar is underground. Underground wine cellars typically have a more constant temperature, which is ideal for wine storage.
However, not everyone has the luxury of being able to go underground to build a wine cellar. Above ground options include converting a powder room, storage room, old pantry or under the staircase into your very own wine cellar. Stay clear of outside walls and instead choose a location that is in the middle of the house. This enables better temperature control of your wines.
Humidity
The best humidity levels for a wine cellar are between 50% – 75%, with 70% being the ideal humidity level. Finding the perfect balance will ensure that the wine cork is protected against shrinkage and mould, and wine labels are protected from decay.
Vibration
The wine cellar must be free from all physical interference and vibration. Constant vibration from machinery, noise, nearby roads or railway lines, etc. will agitate the sediment in the wine bottle, having a negative impact on the taste and quality of the wine over time. Wine must be allowed to rest and age peacefully if a superb quality wine is the objective.
Light
The best lighting conditions for a wine cellar are darkness or subdued light. Lighting will make or break a photographer’s perfect shot; improper lighting will also ruin a perfect bottle of wine. Protecting the wines in your cellar from ultraviolet light protects the integrity of wine. Whether it is natural sunlight or light from lighting fixtures, care should be taken to ensure that the exposure of the wines to direct light is properly controlled. If there is too much light, the wine will age much faster and may potentially ruin your wine collection.
Sparkling wines require extra care due to their increased sensitivity to light compared to other wines.
Ventilation
Wines must be allowed to breathe. No one wants to serve wine that is musty and odd smelling. The wine will absorb smells from the cellar through the cork, ruining a perfect bottle of wine.
Take care of your wine cellar and it will take care of you. Building the perfect wine cellar is a huge investment; however it is an investment that will reap significant rewards over time. A wine cellar well built is a wine cellar built to last.
Are you considering building your own wine cellar? Do not compromise on these conditions! They are the only protection you will have against variables that could ruin your wines and your investment.