Many wine connoisseurs, collectors, and avid drinkers dream of building their own gorgeous wine cellars in their homes. A home wine cellar is the perfect way to collect and store fine wines, show off your best wines to your friends, and even add value to your home.
If you’re planning on taking the leap, there’s a lot to be excited about, but also a lot you need to consider. Here are the four most important elements you’ll need to create the ultimate cellar.
Wine Racks
The main purpose of your wine cellar is obviously to store your wine, so you’ll need some wine racks to keep and display all your bottles. Depending on the style you’re going for, you’ll have many options – wooden, metal, modular, etc. – to choose from.
Keep in mind that your wine should be stored at the right angle to preserve the corks, so you can’t just purchase any shelving. You might also want to invest in some wine boxes, which are useful for storage, transporting your wine, and even organizing extra bottles you might not need or want to display.
Climate Control System
The professionals say that 55 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 to 70% humidity are ideal conditions for storing and aging wine. Keeping your wine cool is obviously important, but a standard air conditioning unit will dry out your wine corks over time, which can lead to oxidation.
Instead, you’ll want to invest in a climate control system for your home cellar. Not only will this protect your wines from spoiling, but it will also give you peace of mind to know that your big investment and special wines are well taken care of. While a cooling system will add a significant amount to your budget, it’s well worth the cost.
Proper Lighting
Lighting is another factor that plays a huge and important role in proper wine storage and preservation. Too much sunlight can ruin your bottles, and wine thrives in a dark, cool environment. However, you’ll want to be able to see your wine when you go down into the cellar, so lighting is still essential.
Avoid sunlight at all costs (no windows) and say “no” to halogen and fluorescent bulbs, too. Instead, opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs. Not only are these cool to the touch and safe for your wine, but they come in different color settings that can help create an incredible atmosphere in your cellar.
Wine Accessories
Of course, you also need to make sure you have all the gear and equipment you need to enjoy your wine, and your cellar is the perfect place to store it all. From openers to pourers, glasses, and decanters, create a space in your cellar to store it all.
Additionally, because of the perfect conditions you’ve created with the ideal temperature and lighting, your cellar is also the optimal place to store other luxury (and sensitive) items like cured meats and cheeses, high-quality olive oils, and even your cigars!
