You might have heard that “all wine improves with age” but it is only partially true. Only a few varieties of wines actually get significantly better with age. Only about 10% of red wines and 5% of white wines taste better after aging five years as opposed to aging one year.

In fact, most wines these days are specially crafted to be enjoyed shortly after bottling. Many are consumed only hours after leaving the bottle shop and only a handful ever make it to the wine cellar. However, the wines that do make it to the cellar are often being consumed past their prime, according to Master of Wine, Jancis Robinson.

In general, many wines start to lose a majority of their fruitiness and appeal after being bottled for only six months. It is therefore important to select a wine that is conducive to long-term cellaring.

So, what’s the secret to aging a bottle of wine successfully?

Aging White Wine

When white wine is made, the producer will keep the skin contact to a minimum. Having contact produces phenols and tannins in the wine and keeping the contact down means the wine will have significantly less phenolic compounds. The only time these phenols are introduced is when the wine is fermented in oak barrels or is left to age in the oak barrels. The contact with the wood over an extended period of time will impart a small amount of phenols into the wine, but not enough to make aging after the wine is bottled worthwhile. The same goes for rose wines, thus reducing their aging potential.

However, white wines that do well with age are those that have a high acidity level. The phenols and acid found in these wines act as a preservative and start to break down and mellow out over time.

Aging Red Wine

Unlike white wines, reds have a very high percentage of skin contact when making the wine and are usually filled with bitter tannins. As the red wine ages, the harsh taste of tannin slowly gives way to a softer, more full-bodied wine.  This can be noted in the color change, from a deep red, almost black, to a lighter red as it ages. However, once the wine is past its prime, the color turns to a brownish hue.

Wines with a lower pH, such as Pinot Noir, have the greatest ability to get better with age. A lower pH is usually achieved in red wine by the addition of tannins, thus increasing the amount of phenolics in the wine.

Floral bouquets will also start to become more prominent in an aged red wine.

As the tannins start to give up some of their bitterness, sediment starts to form on the bottom of the bottle. The presence of this sediment usually indicates a mature red wine, but is separated out by decanting to avoid the bitter taste.

Vintage Ports and other bottle-aged Ports and even some Sherries will benefit from some additional aging, but many other red wines start to diminish after three to five years.

Fine wines continue to bloom and improve their flavor while they age or when stored for longer periods. But wines are very sensitive and perfect conditions must be present for wines to be stored properly. Thus it is important that wines are kept in cellars, whether the cellars are specially built in the home, wine cabinets and other forms of wine storage.  Even if wines can be stored for a few years, there is still a maximum number of years wherein different wines can only be cellared and still maintain their flavor.

Given that fact, it is important to know the number of years that each wine can be cellared so that you can enjoy them when they are fully mature. Although it is best to check the actual number of years that each type of wine can be stored by checking with the winery, the guide below will give you a good idea on how long you can keep each type of wine in your cellar. You can also check with the wine store where you bought the wine or better yet, check the bottle. The number of years for proper storage of a particular wine is usually printed on the label.

The storage period differs because it is dependent on the high tannin and acid levels of the wine. The higher they are the longer they can be stored. Wines coming from Europe are higher in acid content, have low sugar or alcohol level and low fruitiness since the grapes have shorter growing season than the wines coming from America, Australia and New Zealand. Also, wines from Europe are not readily available as they can only be consumed after several years for the delicate flavors to develop. In general red wines can be stored longer than white wines.

Here is a run down of how long some of the fine wines can be cellared.

Type of Wine                                                Number of Years

Bordeaux, Red                                                          5 – 20

Bordeaux, White                                                      4 – 10

Cabernet Sauvignon                                                3 – 10

Non-vintage Champagne                                        0 – 2

Vintage Champagne                                                 5 – 8

Chardonnay                                                              0 – 5

Chianti                                                                       0 – 7

Merlot                                                                        2 – 5

Pinot Noir                                                                  2 – 5

Riesling                                                                      0 – 8

Rioja                                                                           4 – 10

Non-vintage Port                                                      0 – 5

Vintage Port                                                              5 – 20

Gewurztraminer                                                       0 – 4

White Zinfandel                                                       0 – 1

Red Zinfandel                                                           5 – 10

Sauternes and other sweet white wines                5 – 15

Sangiovese and Barolo                                            5 – 10

Shiraz                                                                         5 – 10

Sauvignon Blanc                                                      0 – 2

As all wineries use different wine-making methods, this is just a guide. Low-quality wines won’t cellar for the same length of time as with high quality wines of the same grape variety. Wines from the good wine-making years will last longer than wines from the poor years. More specific wine cellaring recommendations are available from various online resources such as Wine Spectator and merchant websites.

If you have an untrained palate and you are just discovering the pleasure of drinking wine, you may not realize that some wines may be tainted or corked. Even the most expensive and highest quality wines can fall victim to cork taint, so it is important to know what to look for and how to prevent wine from becoming ‘corked’.

What is a ‘corked’ wine?

Wine is said to be corked because the cork used to top the bottle has been tainted with a fungus. Actually it is not the fungus that is the problem but rather the chemical that it produces, called TCA or 2,4,6-trichloroanisole. TCA naturally occurs in tree barks but it is the contact with the chlorine in the bleach used for sanitizing the cork that contributes to the wine being corked. This causes the wine to have a very unpalatable taste that may or may not be too obvious once a wine bottle is opened.

How do you know if a wine is ‘corked’?

It is very easy for wine lovers to spot a corked wine. The taste will be unbalanced, without the customary fruitiness and will be very unsuitable to drink. If left alone for a few hours, a corked wine may give off unpleasant aromas, such as the smell of mushrooms, mold, wet cardboard or wet dogs. And the wine will taste bitter.

Preventing corked wine

Up until recently, cork has been the preferred seal of choice for wines. The inherent properties of cork make it the best wine bottle topper. Cork is very resilient and can be compressed to provide an airtight seal. It is basically impenetrable by liquid or oil. It has low density because its cells are air-filled. And cork absorbs sound and vibration. The industry has developed a chlorine-free cork treatment process that reduced cork taint to just 2 percent of all bottles of wine produced.

Alternative wine seals

Nonetheless, there are alternatives to cork. The wine industry is now using solutions such as screw on bottle caps (AKA ‘stelvin’), cork sterilization using microwaves or using man-made corks or bottle caps like those used for beer. If you wish to prevent wine from being corked, then select wines that are sealed with these alternative types.

Careful wine storage

You can do something to your wine collection to prevent cork tainting. You can store your wine in the coolest section of your house if you do not have a cellar. Wrap your wine bottles individually in newspaper before packing them in polystyrene foam fruit boxes to keep the temperature stable. Under your stairs will be a good place, as long as loud noises and vibration are not present. If your collection is considerable, you may want to look into investing in a wine cabinet.

Know how long you can store your wines. Generally quality white wines will store from zero to four years, while the reds can be kept from five to twenty years. The new wines must be consumed as soon as possible.

While you are not to disturb your wine collection until you need to pick up some bottles, it is very important that you keep the storage area very quiet, odor free and very clean. Do not allow dust to gather around the storage area and collect around the bottles as this is an invitation for mold to propagate in the same way that dust may invite insects and mice that can gnaw on the newspaper wrapping, bottle labels and most importantly the cork stopper.

Storing wine can be very simple, but it can also go dreadfully wrong if the critical issues pertaining to location, temperature, humidity, lighting and insulation are ignored.

Wine storage is important simply because it is the storage of the wine that will determine how well the wine will age and how well the wine will satisfy the palate. Proper wine storage will not only preserve the integrity of the wine, but it will protect important labelling and by extension, protect the collector’s investment in wine.

How to lay your wine

Usually, wines are stored horizontally. Laying the wine bottle horizontally keeps the liquid touching the cork which is important if the cork is to remain hydrated. Keeping the cork hydrated protects the cork from shrinking and reduces the possibility of air entering the wine.

When laying the wines for storage, it is best to have the labels facing upwards.  This allows the person looking for the wine to see exactly which wine is available without having to agitate the wine itself.  On settling, the sediments will form on the side of the bottle without the label. This can assist in making the decision whether or not to serve the wine directly from the bottle, or use a decanter. Lastly, storing wines with the labels up will reduce the probability of damage to the label. Wines for investment purposes are more marketable when the labels are as good as new.

Where wines are packaged in wooden cases or other packaging, they should be stored accordingly. For investment purposes, original packaging is best kept to add value to the wine when the time arrives for trading.

Champagnes and sparkling wines can be stored upright. Wine naturally produces carbon dioxide; the carbon dioxide will eventually form a ring at the neck of the bottle and serves as protection for the wine from air.  Due to the fact that oxygen is lighter than carbon dioxide, any oxygen entering the bottle through whatever means will not enter the wine, but will instead, rest on top of the carbon dioxide.

Cork versus Stelvin

Using corks to seal wines has been around for some time.  Storing wines with corks require much care. Aside from laying the wines on the side to keep the cork hydrated, the air in the wine cellar must be kept clean and odour free to avoid transference of unpleasant odours into the wine by way of the cork.  Low humidity levels in a cellar will result in the cork drying out and can result in the wine becoming oxidized.

Stelvin or screw-cap seals for wines are also common. Wines with Stelvin are easier to handle in storage. The wines may be stored upright or horizontally in the cellar. In this case, the wine collector does not have to contend with corks drying out. In addition, leakage and transfer of odour issues are eliminated with the use of Stelvin.

Regular bottle rotation

Proper inventory recording in wine storage is also critical.  Keeping records of when wines were cellared and for how long the cellaring should take place will assist in keeping the wine cellar organized.

Investing in wines whether for personal consumption or future trade can be interesting and fun. Proper cellaring is however important if these liquid assets are to be worth their weight in gold.

Not all wines are created equal! Some wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc and other white wines, are best suited for drinking soon after purchase, while other wines are prime for long-term cellaring for 20 years or more. Better quality wines are also better suited for long-term cellaring.

Quality is key

Wine does in fact get better with age; but the wine must be a good wine to begin with. Poor quality wine will forever remain poor. There is no amount of aging that can improve wines that are unbalanced, flawed or generally unappealing to personal taste. Therefore, when choosing wines to cellar, select only high quality wines.

Of course, a great wine can however easily turn into a bad wine if the cellaring conditions of temperature, humidity and insulation are not met.

Best wines for cellaring

Generally, red wines are better suited to cellaring than white wines.

White Wines

Chardonnay and Riesling are two whites that are well suited to medium- to long-term cellaring. Both will develop greater complexity with 5 to 10 years of careful cellaring.

Sauvignon Blanc, on the other hand, is not suited for cellaring. It is best consumed soon after purchase as aging does not benefit it in any way.

Red Wines

Good quality red wines are best suited to longer-term cellaring. Cabernets are particularly good wines for cellaring. They contain a significant amount of tannin, which is an organic compound with antioxidant and preservation qualities. Tannin is usually found in the stems, seeds and skin of grapes.

Using online resources for inspiration

Online wine directories are also a great source of information about which wines to collect. In Australia for example, the James Halliday Wine Companion provides information on hundreds of wines, with wine tasting notes amounting to over 50,000. Especially for the individual new to wine collecting, this is a great place to start learning about the different wines available on the market.

Imagine… You have searched high and low for your favourite wines and have lovingly stored them in your wine cellar for many years, waiting for the wines to mature and improve with time. It is your anniversary and you go to open your oldest yet most prized bottle of wine… but alas, it is RUINED!

Don’t be a victim to a flawed wine storage system. Find out the five biggest mistakes people make with cellaring wine and how to avoid them.

1. Trying to predict the year round temperature underground

The assumption that underground wine cellars will remain cool for the entire year is one of the biggest mistakes made by wine collectors. When the seasons change, the conditions underground will change as well. Wine cellars underground, especially those with concrete ceilings, will cause wines to heat up significantly during the summer months. During winter months, the wine cellar can become extremely cold. Such drastic shifts in temperatures will harm the wine and interfere with the aging process.

2. The absence of equipment for climate control or using the wrong substitutes

Air conditioners for example were never intended for use in a wine cellar. They are incapable of meeting the constant 14⁰ Celsius requirement for wine cellars. In addition, wine cellars require an average humidity level of 70%, which air conditioning units cannot maintain. Low humidity can cause oxidization of the wine as a result of the cork shrinking; high humidity levels can result in mould damaging wine labels. Once the proper cellar cooling system has been implemented, the wine will be able to rest and mature gracefully.

3. Improper wine cellar insulation

Failure to insulate the wine cellar correctly may result in loss of air and increasing energy costs. The cellar temperature control systemwill be required to work twice as hard to meet the optimal temperature requirement in the cellar. Ensure that your wine cellar is fully insulated with foamboard, fibreglass, gyprock or something similar. Carefully insulate the door, windows, outlet boxes, fixtures, and any element that is likely to introduce outside air into the cellar.

The cellar door is just as important as any other component of the wine cellar. The door must be designed to meet certain technical specifications. At minimum, the cellar door must adequately seal the cellar and should also be properly insulated. No air should be able to enter or leave the wine cellar through the door once it has been closed.

4. Selecting the wrong wines for long-term cellaring

Not all wines require or suit long-term storage. Most white wines are best drunk within 1-2 years of production, with the exception of some Chardonnays and Semillions. And contrary to one’s hopes and wishes, poor quality wine will typically NOT improve over time. Therefore, select only high quality wine that is suited to long-term cellaring, otherwise you will be disappointed with the final result.

5. Wine racks that just do not work

A wine cellar with racks that are not effective can be a nightmare. The racks must be functional, easily accessible, and should cater to current and future needs of the owner of the wine cellar. Good wine racking will offer a mixture of solutions for storage that will work well with different wine bottle sizes and cases.  The racks should of course be aesthetically pleasing, conserve on space where possible, and should provide value for money.

Every wine collector may not have the luxury of constructing a wine cellar that is likely to end up on the list of great Wonders of the World. Wine cellars and wine cellaring solutions can be very simple. They do not all need to be as elaborate as the wine tower at the Aureole Las Vegas restaurant. This wine tower is over 42 feet tall, glass enclosed, and feature ‘wine angels’ using acrobatics to retrieve bottles of wine based on the requests of diners.

For those collectors looking for a simple solution for wine storage, below are a few suggestions that will get the job done just as well, only with fewer bells and whistles.

Wine cabinets

Wine cabinets are a great way to store wines for private and even small scale commercial use.  Wine cabinets are economical and can store as little as 60 bottles of wine, to hundreds of bottles. Kitchener, a wine cabinet distributor in Australia, retails cabinets with a capacity of 250 bottles for approximately $2,800. Another distributor EuroCave offers for the same price, French made wine cabinets with a capacity of 48 bottles.

The beauty about wine cabinets is that they not only keep the wine bottles safe in individual slots, but they can easily blend into the decor of a room and are programmable to control temperature and humidity. Unlike other pieces of furniture however, wine cabinets may not be easy offload at a yard sale.

Wine refrigerators

Another alternative to building a wine cellar is the use of a wine refrigerator. Wine refrigerators are very compact and can be stored in the basement or the garage. Since standard refrigerators were not built to properly store wine bottles, a dedicated wine refrigerator is a must-have for the wine collector who is not able to invest in a wine cellar. Prices range from $100 to thousands of dollars depending on the capacity.

Dual zone wine refrigerators tend to be more expensive than regular wine refrigerators, and for individuals storing both white and red wines, a single zone refrigerator may not be the best solution. As the name implies this type of wine cellar has two controllers for both humidity and temperature, allowing you to store white wines and red wines better. The whites are usually placed on lower racks and the reds on top. Design and size fit your space and LED lights provide just enough illumination for you to retrieve bottles.

Under-counter wine coolers offer more affordable solutions for wine storage, particularly if there are less wine bottles to store or if the wine will be consumed shortly after storing. Limited space does not mean that you cannot store wines. If you have extra space under your counter you can buy one that will fit the space you have. There are under-the counter cellars that have multiple temperature controls for different types of wines, with racks of varied sizes for different bottles. This type of wine cellar can hold from 4 to 50 bottles.

Basement and underground wine cellars

A basement wine cellar is one of the best options if you have space in your home. It is below ground, the floor is firm and stable. It is shielded from temperature changes above ground and can be kept off-limits to most family members. It can be customized to any size and equipped with an active cooling system to keep temperature and humidity constant.

Storing wines in an underground wine cellar may be the best option if you live in a cool region, since the temperature will be constant, without installing additional equipment and taking advantage of passive cooling conditions. Of course you still have to see to it that the flooring is moisture-resistant ad the walls are insulated to keep the temperature at a constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity level at about 67 percent.

A basement of approximately 25 square meters can be built out into a basement wine cellar to accommodate 500 bottles of wines for just over US$13,000.

Not every wine collector will have the basement space available, or the financial resources to do the wine cellar build-out. In this case, a wine cabinet or wine refrigerator may be the best solution.

Spiral wine cellars

Spiral wine cellars are phenomenal. They are arguably the easiest and most economical wine cellaring solution.  The spiral wine cellar is a pre-cast cylindrical structure that is literally submerged into an opening in the ground. The spiral wine cellar may be sunken into the floor of almost any room in the house, even the kitchen. These cellars are versatile and can be easily incorporated into a new property or integrated into the ground floor of an existing property.

For those with very limited space, a spiral wine cellar may be a good option is you have a lower level in your home and you have a wooden floor on the upper floor so you can construct a trap door. The spiral wine cellar looks like a tight spiral staircase where the racks are constructed on what’s supposed to be the spaces between the steps. This is a clever idea to store up to 1,600 bottles of wine in a space that looks like a deep, wide tube where ideal active temperature and humidity levels can still be maintained. Unlike wine cabinets and wine refrigerators, spiral wine cellars are not movable.

Off-site wine storage

Off-site wine storage involves storing wine at a location specifically designed for that purpose. Choosing this option saves the wine owner the trouble of having to spend exorbitant amounts to build and maintain a wine cellar. If you absolutely have no space at home to store your wines you can opt to contract with an off-site wine storage service. The service provider has the right wine storage facility that will keep your wine, keep an inventory and give you a report. They will deliver your wines when you need them. Some have the facility so you an access your own wine inventory online and some will provide you with insurance for your high-quality wines.

On the flip side, using off-site storage solutions will come with fees to access the storage facility and insurance related fees. As a trade off, the owner has to give up the right to have access to the wine collection any time of the day or night, since the off-site storage is likely to operate with certain restrictions.

Regardless of the choice of wine storage solution, under the perfect conditions, the wines will be preserved and the wine collector’s investment protected.

Having made the decision to collect and store wine, it is important to understand that where the wine will be stored is just as important as which wines will be stored. Choosing the best location for a wine cellar should not just be about aesthetics, but also about functionality and optimal wine storage conditions. Preserving the integrity of the wine should be paramount, and choosing a good location is the first step in the right direction.

The Best Place to Locate a Wine Cellar

The location chosen for wine cellaring activities must meet certain basic criteria. The location must first of all be one where the temperatures can be easily monitored and controlled. Wines stored in a cellar that is volatile to fluctuations in temperature will be ruined over time. The optimal temperature for storing wine is between 50 and 59⁰F.

Likewise, humidity levels must be kept moderate, 70% being ideal; and lighting at the location should be of such that it does not cause damage to the wine. Protecting the wine from agitation and unnecessary vibrations from within the cellar and externally is also something crucial when identifying and selecting a location for wine cellaring.

The wine cellar location should be one that is accessible, has adequate space for storing wines, is clean and odour free and perfectly insulated.

Ideally, wine cellars are best located below the ground such as basements and underground. The temperature in such areas is generally cooler and the humidity is more consistent and manageable than above ground.  Ideally, it would be best to situate the wine cellar against two exterior walls away from windows.

Basements may not always be available. In the event a basement is not available, an alternate room above ground will suffice. In this situation, special attention must be given to the materials chosen to construct, insulate, seal and monitor the conditions in the wine cellar.

Selecting a Wine Cellar Location Based on Functionality

The type of wine cellar used will vary based not just on location, but also the intended use.

Commercial Wine Cellars

A commercial wine cellar for a restaurant for example will possibly end up above ground and forming a part of the decor for the restaurant. These cellars are typically much more expensive to construct and require a significant amount of space. Some commercial wine cellars may hold as little as 300 bottles of wine, while others may hold over 1,000 bottles. These wine cellars are often custom made and are often positioned in such a way that they become a conversation piece for diners.

Residential Wine Cellars

The typical household wine cellar is usually much smaller than the commercial wine cellar. Where the wine cellar was conceptualized during the planning stages of the construction of the property, it is likely to end up underground. In cases where the idea came about after the property was already constructed, it is likely to end up above ground in a room or an area converted to suit the ideal conditions for storing wine.

Short-Term Wine Storage

If wines are to be stored only for the short-term, it may make more sense to have an above-ground cellar, using storage solutions such as a wine refrigerator, under-counter wine cooler or a dual-temperature wine cooler. Wines will be more readily accessible and cellaring solutions will be focused on providing wine at the right temperature rather than providing optimal conditions for long-term cellaring.

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.

Among the many things needed for maintaining a proper wine cellar is a clear understanding of humidity and its role in the aging process and preservation of the integrity of wine. Just as important as the wine, is the cork, the bottle, the wine label and the conditions under which they are kept.

Why Humidity is a Wine’s Worst Nightmare

Wine can easily be ruined by a number of factors, amongst them, humidity. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour in the air. Incorrect levels of humidity in the wine cellar can result in the integrity of the cork and wine label being compromised, affecting the overall quality of your wine collection.

In cases of too little humidity in the wine cellar, the cork is more likely to dry out. The wine is likely to evaporate from the bottle, increasing the ullage (i.e. the space between the wine and the bottom section of the cork) and a damaged cork will result in air entering the wine. It is the air entering the wine which ruins the wine. The oxygen from the air enters the wine bottle and reacts with the wine. This chemical reaction referred to as oxidation is what causes the wine to spoil. The reaction often results in the wine tasting similar to vinegar over time.

In cases of too much humidity, the quality of the cork and wine label may be at risk. Corks may be more susceptible to mould if humidity levels are too high, thus ruining the wine. And the labels on wine bottles may be more likely to become damaged. Wine labels are extremely important as not only do they affect the overall presentation and aesthetics of the bottle, but a damaged label can affect the investment value of the wine. Label protectors may be used to safeguard against label damage.

Ideal Humidity Levels for Wine Cellars

The right humidity levels for storing wine require balance. The humidity levels cannot be too low; neither should they be too high. A humidity level of 70% is usually recommended, but 50 – 80% is considered acceptable. Humidity is most likely to affect the cork and the wine label. Too little humidity will cause the cork to shrink, creating space for air to enter the wine. Too much humidity will cause permanent damage to the wine label which is every wine collector’s nightmare.

Humidity levels may fluctuate depending on geographical location and season. For example, wine cellars in tropical areas need to ensure that humidity levels are decreased, while wine cellars in dry areas need to ensure that humidity levels are either maintained or increased.

How to Control Wine Cellar Humidity

Controlling humidity in a wine cellar is essential. A simple way to increase the level of humidity in a wine cellar is to introduce an open container of water into the space. The introduction of a bucket filled with water for example will result in slow evaporation over time, easily raising the level of humidity. Another simple measure is to line the floor of the wine cellar with gravel and on occasion, sprinkle with water to ensure that the proper humidity levels are maintained.

Wine cellar humidification systems are also available to maintain the best humidity levels for your wine collection. There are two types of wine cellar humidification systems:

• Through-wall humidification systems, mounted through your wine cellar wall
• Fully ducted humidification systems that bring air into the wine cellar through installed ducts

Selecting the Best Wine Cellar Humidity Control System

When selecting a humidity solution for your wine cellar, the following factors need to be considered:

• Wine cellar capacity and size
• Automatic humidity control
• Rust-proof and corrosion-proof construction
• Automatic maintenance (i.e. those that do not require regular manual filling)
• A safe unit with wetted pad design, so as to minimise any risk of bacterial infection or dust emission

Humidity in wine cellaring is just as important as other factors such as location, temperature and the quality of the wine. Compromising on any of these elements will result in less than enjoyable wine experiences. A balance in humidity levels equals a balanced, flavourful and enjoyable wine guaranteed to please the palate.