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2012年9月5日 星期三

Is Your Cellar Suitable for Wine Storage


There are three wine storage golden rules to follow! Wine cellar has to be dark, humid and cold. All of those three conditions are crucial for right aging of your wine. Why is light so damaging for wine? Wine is an organic liquid. And each carbohydrate organic compound like proteins is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. What will UV light do to wine? It will cause complex organic molecules in wine to dissolve and they will start to ruin the flavor and the natural aging process of wine. The same effect will excessive sunbathing have on your skin. Ultraviolet light, as a part of sunlight is degrading proteins in our skin. The effects are well known. In extreme cases UV light can cause uncontrollable growth of cell structures leading to skin cancer.

Those who want to buy a ready-made wine cellar unit with integrated cooling and humid control center should also pay attention to the light source provided within. Neon light emits much more UV light than a classical light bulb. It may not make a difference for wine bottles that will be consumed within a year. But for storage of wine bottles that can age for centuries, those short periods of UV exposures within 10 or more years, quickly sum up.

Why should you pay attention to humidity in your wine cellar? Humidity is important for storing wine bottles traditionally sealed with cork. Despite the fact that there are many other wine sealing materials on the market, you will not find a serious top wine producer using anything other than a cork. What is the relationship between the cork and the humidity? The cork has to be in regular touch with humidity on both sides. That means the inner side, reaching into the bottle has to be in contact with the wine (that is why wine cellar storage racks will store wine horizontally), the outer side of the cork has to be in environment humid enough to prevent cork from drying. A dry cork becomes porous and the air starts to leak into the bottle, spoiling the wine. How will you know if you cellar is humid enough? Relative humidity in a room can be measured with humidity meters called hydrometers. Those are really cheap and easy to buy in any wine storage accessories store. What is humidity important for a perfect wine aging process? According to French wine experts and scientist, perfect humidity level of a wine storage cellar lays between 60-70%. But more than humidity levels in a cellar, the quality of cork itself is the crucial factor in preventing the wine from leaking or from spoiling.

If you ask any wine expert on the world which from those three golden rules plays the most important role in fine wine aging, they would unanimously say-The Temperature. The best temperature for wine storage is traditionally believed to be 55°F or 13°C. Little research has been made to discover why exactly that temperature. But more than the temperature itself, it is important not to let the temperature fluctuate for more than 1 degree. Quality wine needs stable conditions to gradually develop its best aroma, taste and color.




Check out special wine racks solutions and wine cellar equipment at wine-storage-racks.com, a popular website that offers free advice on wine storage and protects wine collectors from making wine storage related mistakes.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

張貼者： 於 上午11:32 0 意見
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2012年8月20日 星期一

How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar


So many people around the world are passionate about wine. Some people are happy to by just a cheap bottle of plonk whilst others are more connoisseurs and are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single bottle of wine. Then there are others who buy wine because they see it as an investment just like stocks and shares. It's surprising just how much wine can increase in value over a couple of decades.

Whatever types of wine buyer or drinker you are, building your own wine cellar can be an excellent idea. Wines don't keep forever but if you want to lay a bottle down for a few years, you want to make sure you keep it in the best conditions. Wines hate heat, humidity and sunlight so building a wine cellar will allow you to keep wines in conditions that you have control over.

What Are Wine Cellars?

A wine cellar is a room which create the perfect environment for wines. Wines really dislike heat, light and humidity so it's important to store wine properly. You will find that some that are underground are naturally the correct temperature and humidity. However many people don't have this luxury so need to install various items of equipment so that they can control all the elements. Most restaurants will have a cellar but some people are building their own at home too.

If you are building your own wine cellar there are some basic steps you need to be aware of.

Location of Wine Cellar: Before you can begin you need to work out if you have enough room for one. You don't need the biggest of spaces a 3 x 3 x 3 meters will do the job. The most ideal location is in your basement however for larger homes you can build one wherever you want pretty much.

Insulation: This is an area which you mustn't neglect because insulation will help keep your cellar cool and keep the heat out; much like an insulated cool bag you would take on a picnic. The amount of insulation you need is R-11 and for the outside walls you need R-19. If your cellar is going to be built in the basement you need to see about a vapour barrier and concrete sealant for the flooring. For the vapor barrier you would use a polyethylene plastic sheet which is 6mm thick.

Cooling System: The type of cooling system you will probably choose will be either standard or split. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice however there are differences you should understand. Standard systems are cheaper and easier to install but the downside is their lifespan; it's only about 5 or 6 years. The split system is the opposite; it costs more and needs to be fitted by a professional however it lasts a lot longer.

Doors: Choosing a door might not seem that important for a wine cellar but it is. The door you select mustn't have a window and it must be well insulated and solid. Do not select a wooden door because the insulation is not enough.

Lighting: You will want to have lighting in your cellar for when you want to place bottles on a rack or take one away. You might even want to impress your friends with your collection and vast knowledge of wines. However it's important to remember that lights can damage the wine so you'll probably want to have dimmer switches installed so that you have more control over the intensity.

Flooring: The types of flooring you choose affect the conditions of your cellar. Hard surfaces like stone, slate and tile are much better and never install carpets.

Wine Cellar Kits: If you are really not sure about what you should be buying when building your own wine cellar, buying a kit is an ideal solution. The prices will obviously vary depending on what quality and specifications you have set. Remember that you usually get what you pay for so don't just make your decision based on price.

So whether you have a relatively small collection of wine bottles or enough to supply a small hotel, building your own wine cellar can make a great addition to your home.




April has written a number of articles relating to food and wine at www.foodandwineworld.com including: Wine Tasting in Portugal and How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

張貼者： 於 晚上9:40 0 意見
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2012年5月25日 星期五

How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar


So many people around the world are passionate about wine. Some people are happy to by just a cheap bottle of plonk whilst others are more connoisseurs and are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single bottle of wine. Then there are others who buy wine because they see it as an investment just like stocks and shares. It's surprising just how much wine can increase in value over a couple of decades.

Whatever types of wine buyer or drinker you are, building your own wine cellar can be an excellent idea. Wines don't keep forever but if you want to lay a bottle down for a few years, you want to make sure you keep it in the best conditions. Wines hate heat, humidity and sunlight so building a wine cellar will allow you to keep wines in conditions that you have control over.

What Are Wine Cellars?

A wine cellar is a room which create the perfect environment for wines. Wines really dislike heat, light and humidity so it's important to store wine properly. You will find that some that are underground are naturally the correct temperature and humidity. However many people don't have this luxury so need to install various items of equipment so that they can control all the elements. Most restaurants will have a cellar but some people are building their own at home too.

If you are building your own wine cellar there are some basic steps you need to be aware of.

Location of Wine Cellar: Before you can begin you need to work out if you have enough room for one. You don't need the biggest of spaces a 3 x 3 x 3 meters will do the job. The most ideal location is in your basement however for larger homes you can build one wherever you want pretty much.

Insulation: This is an area which you mustn't neglect because insulation will help keep your cellar cool and keep the heat out; much like an insulated cool bag you would take on a picnic. The amount of insulation you need is R-11 and for the outside walls you need R-19. If your cellar is going to be built in the basement you need to see about a vapour barrier and concrete sealant for the flooring. For the vapor barrier you would use a polyethylene plastic sheet which is 6mm thick.

Cooling System: The type of cooling system you will probably choose will be either standard or split. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice however there are differences you should understand. Standard systems are cheaper and easier to install but the downside is their lifespan; it's only about 5 or 6 years. The split system is the opposite; it costs more and needs to be fitted by a professional however it lasts a lot longer.

Doors: Choosing a door might not seem that important for a wine cellar but it is. The door you select mustn't have a window and it must be well insulated and solid. Do not select a wooden door because the insulation is not enough.

Lighting: You will want to have lighting in your cellar for when you want to place bottles on a rack or take one away. You might even want to impress your friends with your collection and vast knowledge of wines. However it's important to remember that lights can damage the wine so you'll probably want to have dimmer switches installed so that you have more control over the intensity.

Flooring: The types of flooring you choose affect the conditions of your cellar. Hard surfaces like stone, slate and tile are much better and never install carpets.

Wine Cellar Kits: If you are really not sure about what you should be buying when building your own wine cellar, buying a kit is an ideal solution. The prices will obviously vary depending on what quality and specifications you have set. Remember that you usually get what you pay for so don't just make your decision based on price.

So whether you have a relatively small collection of wine bottles or enough to supply a small hotel, building your own wine cellar can make a great addition to your home.




April has written a number of articles relating to food and wine at www.foodandwineworld.com including: Wine Tasting in Portugal and How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

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2012年1月8日 星期日

The 5 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Building a Wine Cellar and How to Avoid Them


We all know that wine needs to be cellared correctly so that it matures as the winemaker intended. The problem is that many cellars are built without the proper insulation, equipment or technical knowledge needed to do the job properly.

So, what are the biggest mistakes people make when building a cellar?

Mistake number 1 - Assuming underground cellars will be cool all year round

The mere mention of an underground wine cellar conjures up images of the wine 'caves' of Europe. These traditional cellars are fully subterranean and are often meters under the earth. This is not the case with most modern underground cellars.

Many people assume that underground cellars are naturally cool. In reality, the opposite is often true. In summer, and especially if the the cellar has a concrete ceiling, these spaces can become 'hot boxes' and the result is cooked wine. These cellars then become cooler in the winter months, and it is this variation in temperature that is detrimental to wine.

Mistake number 2 - Not using correct/any climate control equipment

Installing a conventional air conditioner in your cellar is a major mistake. Air conditioners won't consistently keep the temperature low enough and they don't even address humidity issues. Ideal cellaring temperature for all wine is 14 degrees, plus or minus one degree, whilst humidity needs to be between 65% and 75%. If air humidity is too low, this inevitably leads to corks drying out, letting in air and oxidising the wine. If air humidity is too high, you get label mould. Needless to say, storing wine in a cellar without any type of climate control equipment comes at a great risk.

The solution here is to install proper climate controlled equipment like a cellar conditioner that can maintain the low temperature and high humidity required to cellar wine correctly.

Mistake number 3 - Not insulating your cellar correctly

Too often cellars are poorly insulated, or simply aren't insulated at all. A cellar must be properly insulated with the right type of material. This allows the cellar conditioner to function efficiently, therefore reducing the amount of energy used. Insulating is easy and inexpensive if installed at the beginning of construction, but can be very costly if it has to be corrected or added later.

Mistake number 4 - Poor choice of door

Another common mistake is when the cellar door is chosen simply for its aesthetic appeal. The cellar door needs to be technically correct and made of the proper material to provide an air tight seal and good insulation; otherwise all the good work is lost. In saying this, the door should also be in keeping with the total look of the cellar and it is quite tricky to get all this right.

Mistake number 5 - Poor Wine Racking

A lot of people spend a lot of money on racking that looks great but it doesn't function properly, isn't user friendly and doesn't take a wine collector's changing needs into consideration. As a result, people become quite frustrated with their cellar.

Wine racking needs to have the right mix of storage solutions that cater to different bottle and case sizes as well as current and future wine buying styles. There are a myriad of wine racks available at various price points but there is a lot more to it than initially meets the eye. Getting the balance right between the appearance of the racking, convenience, space optimisation and budget is one of the key challenges when faced with selecting wine racking and you need to deal with someone who carries a broad range so that all these issues can be addressed.

Other considerations

There are other important issues such as wine friendly lighting, appropriate flooring, adequate airflow and ventilation, flood prevention, and other technical aspects but we've covered the top 5 above. The solution here is to get professional advice on your wine cellar. If you engage a professional early on in the project, you'll overcome a lot of problems and have the dream cellar you've always wanted.




If you're after the world's leading wine fridge, building a wine cellar, or sourcing wine racks MacPhee's has everything you need.





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2012年1月4日 星期三

Start Your Wine Cellar The Right Way


One of the great joys of wine is to be able to select a bottle from your own cellar, perhaps one that you've been storing for some years, draw the cork and enjoy it with friends. You can marvel at the changes brought on by maturity and, as a bonus, you can brag about the price you paid and congratulate yourself on picking up such a bargain!

However, wine is an ever-changing thing and how it is stored will directly affect how quickly and how well it ages!

Storing wine is very simple ...

It requires a constant temperature, humidity, darkness, stillness and a well-ventilated and clean environment.

o Insulation

The first essential is to create a storage environment that provides the basics of stable temperature, no light and no vibration.

In general terms 4 inches (100mm) of polystyrene is the equivalent to 3 ft (1 meter) of ground. So if you're trying to decide between an above ground construction and an underground cavern, you must be prepared to dig deep for the latter.

Your cupboard, indoor space or your outdoor construction must be well shaded, well insulated and with the minimum of air movement in and out.

o Temperature

The objective is to provide stored wines with a constant temperature of between 50ºF and 59ºF (10°C - 15°C).

Seasonal changes in temperature will not harm your wine, although fluctuations greater than one degree a week should be avoided. Wines subjected to temperatures over 77ºF (25°C) are in grave danger of rapid

deterioration.

Wines stored in less than ideal conditions will age at speeds quite different to those envisaged by winemakers when they offer suggested storage times. A hygro thermometer will provide you with accurate information as to both the temperature and humidity ranges within your cellar.

A well-constructed above ground cellar or a well dug underground cellar will require the minimum of additional temperature control although your climate or the position of your cellar may necessitate the use of a cooling device that will provide complete temperature stability.

Another alternative is a temperature controlled wine cabinet. Some of these can hold up to 800 bottles but be aware that some manufacturers' suggested bottle capacity can be misleading and the racks may be smaller than you require. Champagne bottles are larger than riesling bottles!

Regard assembled wine as your best cooling block. A high density of wine bottles will considerably reduce wine temperature fluctuations.

Consider keeping your long-term wines in a professional storage facility if your cellar cannot conform to the optimum temperature ranges.

o Humidity

A dry atmosphere is an enemy of the natural cork seal. A natural cork is compressed and forced into the bottle as a 100% natural seal.

Low humidity combined with a defective cork results in the wine moving out of the bottle (increasing ullage) and air naturally moving into the bottle.

Moderate humidity is important to keep the cork in good resilient condition and prevent it shrinking. Screw capped bottles do not require humidity.

Excessive humidity will not harm the wine but can cause the labels to go moldy. The ideal humidity for your cellar is 70%, however anywhere between 50-80% is

acceptable.

o Darkness

Light will prematurely age a bottle of wine. Clear bottles are most susceptible to this problem, but ultraviolet light will penetrate even dark colored glass.

Ultraviolet light will damage wine by causing the degradation of the otherwise stable organic compounds, especially the tannins found in wine. These organic compounds contribute to the aroma, flavor and structure of the wine. Without them your wine would be flat and thin. So exposure to ultraviolet light results in unfavorable and irreversible changes in your wine.

Extra care should be given to sparkling wines as they are more sensitive to light than other wines.

o Lay it down!

Store your wine bottles horizontally so the wine is in contact with the cork. This will keep the cork wet. If the cork dries out and shrinks it will let air get to your wine. Store it with the label facing up. This will help in three ways:

You can easily see what the wine is. You don't have to disturb the bottle to see what you've got in your cellar.

The sediment will form on the opposite side to the label and make it easier to see. The label is less likely to be damaged. If you're storing wine as an investment, a damaged label will reduce the value.




Chris Miley is the creator of the very popular book "How To Build A Wine Cellar" which includes complete instructions for building your own basement wine cellar plus many other ideas for wine storage areas in your home, from a cupboard under the stairs to a temperature controlled wine cabinet. Visit Chris's wine blog to discover which wines he's cellaring.





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張貼者： 於 下午5:16 0 意見
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2011年12月19日 星期一

Is Your Cellar Suitable for Wine Storage


There are three wine storage golden rules to follow! Wine cellar has to be dark, humid and cold. All of those three conditions are crucial for right aging of your wine. Why is light so damaging for wine? Wine is an organic liquid. And each carbohydrate organic compound like proteins is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. What will UV light do to wine? It will cause complex organic molecules in wine to dissolve and they will start to ruin the flavor and the natural aging process of wine. The same effect will excessive sunbathing have on your skin. Ultraviolet light, as a part of sunlight is degrading proteins in our skin. The effects are well known. In extreme cases UV light can cause uncontrollable growth of cell structures leading to skin cancer.

Those who want to buy a ready-made wine cellar unit with integrated cooling and humid control center should also pay attention to the light source provided within. Neon light emits much more UV light than a classical light bulb. It may not make a difference for wine bottles that will be consumed within a year. But for storage of wine bottles that can age for centuries, those short periods of UV exposures within 10 or more years, quickly sum up.

Why should you pay attention to humidity in your wine cellar? Humidity is important for storing wine bottles traditionally sealed with cork. Despite the fact that there are many other wine sealing materials on the market, you will not find a serious top wine producer using anything other than a cork. What is the relationship between the cork and the humidity? The cork has to be in regular touch with humidity on both sides. That means the inner side, reaching into the bottle has to be in contact with the wine (that is why wine cellar storage racks will store wine horizontally), the outer side of the cork has to be in environment humid enough to prevent cork from drying. A dry cork becomes porous and the air starts to leak into the bottle, spoiling the wine. How will you know if you cellar is humid enough? Relative humidity in a room can be measured with humidity meters called hydrometers. Those are really cheap and easy to buy in any wine storage accessories store. What is humidity important for a perfect wine aging process? According to French wine experts and scientist, perfect humidity level of a wine storage cellar lays between 60-70%. But more than humidity levels in a cellar, the quality of cork itself is the crucial factor in preventing the wine from leaking or from spoiling.

If you ask any wine expert on the world which from those three golden rules plays the most important role in fine wine aging, they would unanimously say-The Temperature. The best temperature for wine storage is traditionally believed to be 55°F or 13°C. Little research has been made to discover why exactly that temperature. But more than the temperature itself, it is important not to let the temperature fluctuate for more than 1 degree. Quality wine needs stable conditions to gradually develop its best aroma, taste and color.




Check out special wine racks solutions and wine cellar equipment at wine-storage-racks.com, a popular website that offers free advice on wine storage and protects wine collectors from making wine storage related mistakes.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

張貼者： 於 下午2:29 0 意見
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2011年12月10日 星期六

How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar


So many people around the world are passionate about wine. Some people are happy to by just a cheap bottle of plonk whilst others are more connoisseurs and are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single bottle of wine. Then there are others who buy wine because they see it as an investment just like stocks and shares. It's surprising just how much wine can increase in value over a couple of decades.

Whatever types of wine buyer or drinker you are, building your own wine cellar can be an excellent idea. Wines don't keep forever but if you want to lay a bottle down for a few years, you want to make sure you keep it in the best conditions. Wines hate heat, humidity and sunlight so building a wine cellar will allow you to keep wines in conditions that you have control over.

What Are Wine Cellars?

A wine cellar is a room which create the perfect environment for wines. Wines really dislike heat, light and humidity so it's important to store wine properly. You will find that some that are underground are naturally the correct temperature and humidity. However many people don't have this luxury so need to install various items of equipment so that they can control all the elements. Most restaurants will have a cellar but some people are building their own at home too.

If you are building your own wine cellar there are some basic steps you need to be aware of.

Location of Wine Cellar: Before you can begin you need to work out if you have enough room for one. You don't need the biggest of spaces a 3 x 3 x 3 meters will do the job. The most ideal location is in your basement however for larger homes you can build one wherever you want pretty much.

Insulation: This is an area which you mustn't neglect because insulation will help keep your cellar cool and keep the heat out; much like an insulated cool bag you would take on a picnic. The amount of insulation you need is R-11 and for the outside walls you need R-19. If your cellar is going to be built in the basement you need to see about a vapour barrier and concrete sealant for the flooring. For the vapor barrier you would use a polyethylene plastic sheet which is 6mm thick.

Cooling System: The type of cooling system you will probably choose will be either standard or split. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice however there are differences you should understand. Standard systems are cheaper and easier to install but the downside is their lifespan; it's only about 5 or 6 years. The split system is the opposite; it costs more and needs to be fitted by a professional however it lasts a lot longer.

Doors: Choosing a door might not seem that important for a wine cellar but it is. The door you select mustn't have a window and it must be well insulated and solid. Do not select a wooden door because the insulation is not enough.

Lighting: You will want to have lighting in your cellar for when you want to place bottles on a rack or take one away. You might even want to impress your friends with your collection and vast knowledge of wines. However it's important to remember that lights can damage the wine so you'll probably want to have dimmer switches installed so that you have more control over the intensity.

Flooring: The types of flooring you choose affect the conditions of your cellar. Hard surfaces like stone, slate and tile are much better and never install carpets.

Wine Cellar Kits: If you are really not sure about what you should be buying when building your own wine cellar, buying a kit is an ideal solution. The prices will obviously vary depending on what quality and specifications you have set. Remember that you usually get what you pay for so don't just make your decision based on price.

So whether you have a relatively small collection of wine bottles or enough to supply a small hotel, building your own wine cellar can make a great addition to your home.




April has written a number of articles relating to food and wine at www.foodandwineworld.com including: Wine Tasting in Portugal and How to Build Your Own Wine Cellar.





This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

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