Thinking about buying a wine cellar ? Before you do, make sure you know what to look for in terms of temperature, humidity, lighting, vibration, ventilation, and racking angle. This guide will help you determine what is needed to store your wine collection in peak conditions, maximizing taste and enjoyment. Remember: wine needs to be kept in a cool, dark, damp place with clean and odorless air, where it can be stored vibration-free at a constant temperature.

Temperature

Temperature is the most important factor when storing wine. The ideal temperature for wine storage is 50 to 55°F (10-12°C). Though, any temperature within 40-65°F (5-18°C) will do. More important than the actual temperature value, is the degree and frequency of change of temperature the wine is subjected to. A slow change of temperature of ten or so degrees between winter and summer is not a big problem. But this kind of temperature change on a daily or weekly basis can cause damage to your wine and age it prematurely. Be sure to keep your wines in a stable, cool environment as long as they are in storage.

Humidity

It is best to store your wines at about 50 to 80% humidity, with 70% humidity as the ideal. This is to ensure the quality and condition of the corks in your wine bottles, which serve to stop outside air from mingling with your wine as it ages. Too dry an atmosphere can cause your wine corks to dry up and contract in size, leaving more room for air to creep in through the neck of the wine bottle.

Lighting

Wines are best stored in the dark and may prematurely age if kept in the light. Sparkling wines are the most sensitive to light and should especially be stored in darkness.

Vibration

Stored wine ages best if it is unmoved. Vibrations and constant handling of the wine as it is being stored may disrupt the sediments in the wine and affect its flavor. Thermoelectric wine coolers are vibration-free, offering the least disruption to your wine collection.

Ventilation

It is important to store your wine in a ventilated cellar to keep the atmospheric air clean and odorless. Strong or musty smells can penetrate the corks in wine bottles and greatly turn the flavor of the contained wine.

Rack Angle

Most table wines are stored horizontally or at a slight angle, so that the wine comes into contact with the cork and keeps it moist to block the air out.

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