Wine has always been an excellent way to get into a luxury lifestyle collection without having to blow obscene amounts of money (until you see the price of certain bottles), so it only makes sense that you’d want to baby this just like you would a car collection.
The problem with wine is that it is incredibly temperamental due to the fact that it’s a beverage and requires a lot of planning.
Making your own wine collection begins with the know-how to store it.
Before you purchase your first vintage, you need to be sure that you have somewhere to put it, and even more important is that the place you are putting it isn’t going to ruin the taste, the composition, or the color.
Again, it’s incredibly temperamental, so you have to be on the ball when storing it.
Luckily for you, there is plenty of advice to go around as wine collecting is a major passion for a large community of connoisseurs. You can rest easy knowing that these 6 useful tips will help you protect your wine collection, so it doesn’t lose any value or taste due to some unfortunate issues.
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1. Avoid Storing Them in Temperature-Sensitive Areas
One of the big no-nos for a wine collection is just putting it in any old room. Yes, a cellar is an old room so excuse the turn of phrase, but what it means is that temperature has to be a major consideration. According to the people behind https://winecellarhq.com, fluctuating temperatures can change the consistency of the wine’s flavor and change the seal of the cork.
That is why it’s so important for a temperature-controlled room or unit to be used for your wine collection. Many people still think that their basement will work, but it probably won’t.
The temperature of a room fluctuates for a number of reasons. Sunlight, humidity, heating unit (basement furnace), so all of these need to be factored in if you want your wine to stand a fighting chance. If you’re building a cellar or converting a room, you should install a thermostat that can regulate the temperature and keep it at an even level.
It’s believed that around 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) is the ideal temperature, but always look into the type of wine to get a better estimate.
2. Keep Them Out of Sunlight
Sunlight, as you know, does a good job at aging a lot of things. Wine, in particular, is very susceptible to its power as well. Sunlight, in particular the UV rays, can harm the aromas and flavors in wine, which is really the main value wine has.
This is why almost all cellars, or good cellars, have no windows in them. Lightbulbs are usually fine because they don’t emit enough light to actually do any real harm to the wine.
This is also a good thing to keep in mind if you can’t build a cellar or convert a part of your basement into a true wine collection. If you can’t do this, do your best to block off any light getting in by covering windows and blocking any UV light pollution.
3. Store Bottles Horizontally
Have you ever wondered why wine bottles are almost always stored horizontally? The answer is actually quite simple – it’s because the wine actually moistens the cork. What this means is that a moist cork that absorbs bits of the wine will not dry out and crack. If it does dry out or crack, it makes it easier for wine to leak out or air to get in and affect the quality, like aromas or flavors. So, remember to keep your bottles horizontal in your collection, but if it’s a screw top, you won’t need to worry as much about this.
4. Monitor and Regulate the Humidity of Your Cellar
Coming back to the temperature of your cellar or storage area, the humidity of the room deserves its own recognition because it’s as potent to the quality and character of a wine as the heat or cold. Humidity levels in wine cellars can be between 60% and 85%, which is quite common, and this helps longevity by preserving the cork. As mentioned, the cork can dry out which you don’t want for reasons already discussed, but the label can also be damaged which ruins the authenticity of the bottle as well. Humidity is an added layer of protection for the cork drying out and will help preserve your wine quite nicely.
5. Consider a Wine Fridge if a Cellar Isn’t An Option
If you’re one of those people that can’t do a cellar and also has no real room you can convert or darken, you still have another option. A wine fridge is a good choice for those who are desperately in need of a temperature and humidity controlled environment for their collection.
Wine fridges will be around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius and humidity controlled, instead of just cold or dry like a normal fridge.
The other benefit that a wine fridge has over a normal fridge is that your wine collection will not be in close proximity or contact with odors from other foods or beverages.
No cork can completely prevent air or particles from getting in, but it’s best if aromas that can alter the wine aren’t wafting around uncontrolled and tampering with your collection.
6. Protect the Bottles From Vibration
As a final tip for protecting your wine collection, you have to be steady with it. What exactly does being steady mean? It means not jostling around the bottles in transporting them as well as keeping them safe from vibration.
Movement in a wine bottle causes sediments which disrupts the natural aging process, thus affecting the flavor profile. Keep it away from any loud noises or movements that can cause this disruption.
Starting a wine collection is an excellent idea for someone who wants to sit on a worthy investment, or similarly enjoy some classic wine flavors.
If you’re looking for some help in protecting that future collection, these tips will be of service to you.