The practice of wine drinking is an ancient one. Aristocrats, the middle-class, and even the lowly ones in the society are recorded to have used wine for various reasons.
The situation has not changed in recent times as wine is used for various symbolic reasons. Other than the symbolic reasons wine is used, some of these valued bottles are known to offer a number of health benefits. If you are interested in knowing some of these benefits, you can check here.
Proper storage is important to ensure that the content tastes good and is not short of the several health benefits they should offer. This is why we strongly advise every wine lover to invest in products that help them store their drinks properly.
It is against this backdrop that we will discuss some basic facts about wine storage in this article. So, you should read on if you think the preservation of your valued bottles is an important thing.
Importance of Storing Your Wine Properly
Wine is very sensitive to the atmospheric conditions around it. This is especially dependent on the brand and ingredients used in making the product. This is why we advise you to take the proper storage of your wine seriously. Other reasons for the importance of proper storage include the following:
Financial Reasons
Some people cherish their collection of wine. This can be very important for aristocrats who want to show off their acquisition when they have friends, colleagues, and family members visiting.
Having a collection of these valued bottles cost a fortune and it is wise to make sure they are intact. To do this, such people are expected to invest in a good quality wine storage system.
Preserved Taste
The taste of this valued drink is something that sets it apart from other drinks. However, you should understand that preserving the amazing taste can be very difficult once the product is opened.
The right storage is needed to ensure that you still have a pleasant taste long after you have opened the bottle. For instance, the storage must do well in protecting the bottle(s) from vibrations, oxidation, light, and other damaging environmental influences.
Protection from Damage
Apart from protecting the content, an appropriate storage system should protect the bottles. Regardless of your choice amongst the several options available, this is something you have to pay attention to.
Speaking of factors that are to be considered when choosing a wine storage option and product, let us talk some more about this in the next section of this article.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Storage Option and Product
Cabinets, cellars, racks, and refrigerators are just some of the options that you can use in storing your wine. Regardless of the option you eventually choose, here are some things the option and product must protect your wine from:
Temperature
Heat is a no-no for your cherished bottles. The effects are negative as it makes the content age faster than usual. The reason is that the chemical components of most wines do not react well to heat.
As a matter of fact, the amount of heat used in the production process of these products is regulated. This is so that the product can have a good shelf life.
As a result, you should make sure that your storage option protects your bottles properly from heat. This is especially because the heat from ultraviolet rays is bad for your bottles. You should invest in an option and product that protects your bottles from the adverse effects of heat to get the best from these drinks.
The ideal option should keep your bottles at a temperature that is somewhere around 10 and 15 degrees Celsius.
Also, this is why using a wine fridge rather than a regular refrigerator is ideal. The wine fridge is designed to keep your bottles within the safe temperature limits mentioned above. However, the same cannot be said about the regular option.
The regular fridge can make your wine exposed to freezing temperatures that are bad for the cork and bottle.
Light
Many people who do not understand the importance of properly storing their wine fall short in this regard. This is because while they go as far as protecting the bottles from harsh temperature, vibrations, and other environmental conditions, they do not know the negative effects of light.
You should not make this mistake and this is why you should get a storage option that protects your bottles from dangerous light rays. In the first place, the wine should not be positioned in an environment that is exposed to ultraviolet rays.
This is particularly important if your collection of wine consists of sparkling, roses, and white wine. These sorts can be highly affected by light.
Also, although expensive, you should invest in good wine cellar glass doors if you are open to the idea of using wine cellars. The major point is that the option should have everything required to protect the bottles from the harsh effects of light.
Vibration
Your wine is not one of those regular drinks or beverages. It is made with properties that do not respond well to vibration. This is why you need to store your bottles in a manner that will protect them from vibrations.
For instance, they should never be situated on top or close to the refrigerator. This is because the long-term effects of vibrations from this equipment can damage or reduce the quality of the product.
In the same vein, this is something you have to consider when getting an item designed to store this product.
Furthermore, vibration in this context is not only about movement but sounds as well. So, you need to get a storage system that protects the bottles from all manner of vibrations. Also, you should keep your bottles away from places prone to vibrations.
For instance, we advise that your wines are not stored anywhere near your TV set. This is because the sound vibration that comes from it can damage your wine collection.
Humidity
You need an option that can store your wine well within the optimal humidity range. That should be somewhere between 50% and 70%.
Paying attention to this will ensure that the cork of the bottle does not dry out. The state of the cork is important because this is the feature that protects the bottle from being exposed to oxygen.
When the cork is negatively affected by humidity, the cork can have mold formed on it. Additionally, the labels of the product can become smudged. You should make use of a good storage option and product to ensure that this is not the case.
This rule is particularly important because failure to adhere to this can tamper with the medicinal benefits of the wine. Additionally, it can make the content harmful because of the exposure to microbes in the environment.
So, you need to pay attention to this factor when getting a wine storage option. The eventual option should also be stored in an environment that offers optimal humidity on its own. This is why you will notice cellars are usually located in the basement and areas that are cool enough.
Various Options for Storing Your Wine
We have explained that there are several options for storing wine in this article. In this segment, we will take a look at some of the options you can make use of.
Rack
Frankly speaking, this is one of the simplest and cheapest options you can explore in your bid to store your bottles properly.
The flexibility that this option affords users is second to none. This is especially if you know how to choose a good product. However, we advise that you consider the peculiarity of your space before choosing an option.
This will help you choose between freestanding, stackable, or wall-mounted products that can be situated on your countertop or tabletop.
These items can be made of various materials. The most common ones are wood and stainless steel. You should go for something that fits your peculiarities and meets your taste.
Although racks are fast becoming the option of many wine lovers, it has a disadvantage. This is about the inability to properly regulate the temperature level or humidity of the room with this option. This is why it has to be situated in a place that offers optimal humidity on its own.
Also, it is not the best option if you are particular about storing your wine for a long time.
Wine Fridge or Cabinet
This is one of the best options if you are interested in aging your wine. This is because it meets almost all requirements in terms of making the environment suitable. The reason is because of the well-designed storage units of this option.
Usually, this option is a lot bigger and larger than coolers and racks. However, some options also serve aesthetic purposes because they are constructed like pieces of furniture. The materials used to construct them are either wood or metal.
Should you choose this option, you should understand that it costs way more than racks and coolers. The cost is largely determined by the number of storage units. You can get somewhere between 20 – 500 unit products. Some unconventional products can offer more than 500.
We advise you to opt for this rather than use a regular refrigerator. This is because the units are designed to offer no more or less than the optimal humidity and temperature levels needed to properly preserve your valued bottles. Another advantage is that you can upgrade your cooling units over time.
You cannot afford to make the wrong choice considering the price and all that is at stake in getting a cabinet or fridge. This is why you need to know how to make the right choice.
For more on this subject, you can visit: https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/wine-fridges/buying-guides/wine-fridges
Cooler
This is the most cost-effective way to maintain an ideal room temperature and optimal humidity level for your valued bottles. Although it does not act as effectively as the cabinet and fridge option, it does better than racks in this regard.
It is best suited for people who do not have a large collection. This is because the humidity level cannot be regulated even though it is somewhat ideal.
As mentioned above, one of the major highlights of using this option is the cost price. It is one of the best options when you consider the cost and what you can do with it.
Cellar
This option is not for the average wine drinker. Rather, it is for wine enthusiasts who have large collections.
This storage system is situated in very strategic parts of the building. More often than not, the basement of the building is what is usually converted into the cellar.
The reason is that this part of the building is the best at meeting certain criteria as regards lighting, vibration, humidity, heat, and several other things.
However, the basement doesn’t need to be the part of the building used for this purpose. Other parts can be made to suit this purpose after they have gone through some modifications. The doors, walls, and floors are some of the areas that see drastic changes if any room will be used as a cellar.
Frankly, the cellar is the best option for wine storage. One of the reasons is that it would not be disturbed considering that it is solely designed for this purpose.
However, it takes a lot of financial and material resources to construct this room. Furthermore, it is hard to maintain and is only ideal for those that have a large collection of these valued bottles.
Other than all the options discussed above, there are a few others that can be explored. For more on this subject, you can read this article.
Conclusion
As a wine lover or someone who wants to get the best of these valued bottles, you should not only pay attention to the bottle you purchase. You also have to be particular about properly storing them.
This is why we have taken out the time to discuss factors to consider before getting a storage option, as well as the various options available. We do hope the information shared here will be put to good use when the time comes.
