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Building Your Own Wine Cellar

April 20th, 2009 by robin in wine lifestyle

For those who are passionate about wine, there are few things in life as enticing as the thought of owning your own wine cellar. Whether you are an avid collector or new to the world of wine, having a safe place to store your collection can be a fun and fulfilling project that can add a whole new element to your home. While constructing a wine cellar may seem like a daunting task, by keeping a few factors in mind the job may be easier than you think.

First and foremost, when designing a wine cellar you will need to determine how many wine racks you will need. Depending on the size of your collection you may decide to construct your own racks or purchase modular racks which can grow with your collection. Classic wood wine racks are a popular choice for most wine enthusiasts, and many designs allow you to add additional storage units as they are needed. These types of racks are good for people that are unsure about how big your collection may grow. Whatever type of wine rack you decide upon, just be sure that it is sturdy and secure. The point of a wine cellar is to have a place that is safe to store your wine. If your wine racks are shabby, then you could lose your entire collection at the drop of a hat.

You also need to remember that wine is a living organism and requires very particular conditions in order to thrive. You’ll want to insure that the area where you house your wine racks is dark and free of natural light. Over time, too much exposure to sunlight can damage your wine or hinder it from reaching its full potential. By the same token, you must also make sure that your cellar is at a temperature that is most conducive to storing wine. Wine requires that you keep it at a temperature between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If your cellar is too warm or too cold then your wine may not age correctly and some of the delicate flavors may be lost.