Are you a wine enthusiast or find that you've accumulated a growing collection of wine that needs a proper place in your home? Then you know that storing wine requires a certain amount of care to protect it from the elements and maintain its flavor. There are many factors that will determine which storage solution is right for your home and lifestyle, but below are some important things to note.
WINE STORAGE BASICS
Temperature is key! Your wine should be stored in a cool place...but not too cool! Typically, 55 degrees and with an ideal humidity of 70%.
Lights off! A dark place is ideal keeping it away from UV which can cause it to heat up and lose its flavor.
Sideways is best. Storing your wine sideways will keep the cork from drying out and oxidizing. Its also a more efficient use of space!
No vibration. Many experts agree that keeping vibrations to a minimum is best for the overall longevity of your wine.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Visibility - Do you want a glass door for easy visibility or a solid door to keep conditions dark?
Accessibility - Is your wine storage easily accessible for grabbing a bottle when you want it?
Sound - If you have a wine refrigerator, you may want to consider the quietness of your unit.
Materials - What kind of materials are you storing your wine in? For example, aluminum shelves conduct cooler temperatures better than plastic ones.
TYPES OF HOME WINE STORAGE
SIMPLE BUILT-IN WINE RACKS
If you live in a small home or have a limited amount of space in your kitchen, built-in wine storage can be a great space-saving solution. By incorporating wine storage into your kitchen design, you can free up counter space and create a sleek, streamlined look.
Left: Diamond bins built into an island; Right: Single bottle rack built into cabinet
Wine rack storage is also commonly found in dry/wet bar areas.
Left: Diagonal wine storage; Center: Horizontal display on metal brackets; Right: Single bottle rack built into cabinet
WINE STORAGE AS A DESIGN PIECE
A well-designed wine storage solution can be a beautiful design centerpiece in your home. Whether you choose a built-in unit or a standalone piece of furniture, it can be designed to add visual interest and appeal while also matching the aesthetic of your home.
Wine storage as a design piece in a home.
WINE REFRIGERATORS
If you're wanting to step it up a notch, a temperature controlled wine refrigerator may be a good option for you. These units maintain a consistent temperature and come in all sizes and designs. Some also have multiple temperature zones so you can keep all your different types of wines at their ideal temp.
Left: A small wine refrigerator in the kitchen island; Right: Large wine refrigerator that encompasses the entire wall in a kitchen
WINE CELLARS / WINE ROOMS
Wine cellars or wine rooms are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners look for ways to show off their collections. However, they also provide the optimal environment for long term aging with consistent temperatures, humidity levels and low light conditions. These wine rooms can be quite elaborate and designed to store hundreds or even thousands of bottles of wine.
A project with Builder: Jordan & Sons
A gorgeous walnut wine room. See the dry bar in the same house here.
A project with Architect: Alan Madewell & Builder: Form Construction
FINAL THOUGHTS
Wine storage in your home is very much a personal preference. The frequency you drink wine and/or entertain with wine, the size of your collection and your budget for wine storage are the biggest factors when deciding which type of solution is best for you.
Over the past 40 years, we've helped clients with everything from a small rack in the corner of a kitchen to elaborate wine rooms with all the bells and whistles. No matter what type of wine storage solution you're looking for, there's sure to be an option that's perfect for your needs. Cheers!