In our discussion, we'll look at the various types of storage available for your wine collection as well as the proper climate and environment for your wine. First, what is your purpose of your wine collection? Are you a limited wine collector or a large collector of wine? Are you more of a consumer of wine or is decor more beneficial to you? Are you the kind of person who is more interested in the bulk storage of your wine or do you want to show case your collection? With endless possibilities to the wine enthusiast, we'll explore your options for the displaying and storage of your wine.
If you're like me and love to display and drink wine, there are several options available to you. There are three basic storage options for the person who enjoys drinking and displaying their wine: wine chillers with glass fronts, wooden wine racks, and the wine cellar. All three options of storage can compliment your kitchen area in different ways. The most basic, the wine chiller, can come in many different sizes and finishes. Most chillers automatically come with glass fronts because most people want to show off their wine varieties. Chillers can hold as few as 24 or as many as 200 bottles. Finishes for chillers can be of wood or stainless steel style. The basic chiller cools at around 58-65 degrees. Temperature control is one of the main advantages of the chiller. If you have more vintage wines and don't want the cost of building an expensive wine cellar, this is your best option as a medium sized chiller can be purchased for about $2400.
Wooden wine racks displaying wine in your kitchen can be quite lovely and eloquent. Typically the nicer quality racks are made of California Redwood or Ponderosa Pine. Nothing is more beautiful than the deep reddish pigment of a superb quality wood. Also, the scent of the wood produces an almost intoxicating aroma that can recharge your batteries after a long day at work. Racks come in all sizes and can adapt to the layout of your kitchen. You can have your wine racks assembled by a cabinet manufacturer or you can buy kits. These days more people opt to purchase DIY kits as it's a more affordable option, nor is it difficult to construct if purchased from a wine display company. The better wine storage and display companies provide detailed, easy-to-follow instructions that even the novice can understand. Keep in mind, however, because the average room temperature of a kitchen is around 73 degrees, sensitive red wines must not be stored in the open. If your goal is decent taste and fabulous kitchen decor, then this is your best option.
Finally, if you're the ultimate wine enthusiast and have the dollars to spend, then a professional grade wine cellar is for you. The options are endless, the holding capacity is endless, and the cost can be endless. It's possible to construct a wine cellar on a DIY basis, just make sure that if you're buying a kit, it's from a reputable company who can literally talk you through the building process from start to finish. To allow for the best storage conditions of your wine, cooling, insulation, and humidity must be take into consideration. If you're a display enthusiast, redwood grids, granite counter tops and maybe a ceramic mural for one of your walls would make for a beautiful cellar. In addition, bottle size is due consideration in planning a wine cellar. For example, you may want to display a few "magnum" size bottles in addition to the standard, 750ml size. Again, the most important thing you can do when purchasing your own DIY kit is to consult with the vendor's technical specialists. This will ensure that your cellar display doesn't start off as a nightmare when you start opening the boxes.
Good Luck & Enjoy!!
