How To Create Your Own Custom Wine Cellar

For The Serious Wine Collector and Their Growing Wine Collection

You know you have been converted from a casual wine drinker to a serious wine enthusiast when you are starting to think of ways on how to create your own custom wine cellar. Indeed, building your own wine cellar is one of the first steps to becoming a bona fide wine connoisseur.

However, it is perfectly fine for even small collectors to have their own wine cellar these days. In fact, some people have wine cellars that are barely more than a cupboard in terms of size but still functions in the same way as the larger wine cellars.

Controlling the Temperature and Humidity

The main purpose of a custom wine cellar is to enable you to have complete control over the temperature and humidity in the area. Generally, all wines need to be kept in a cool environment but the actual temperature of your custom wine cellar would depend on the kind of temperature and humidity in your location.

Choosing a Style For Your Wine Cellar

When building your own custom wine cellar, there are many different styles and designs that you can choose from. Traditionally, wine cellars are found in the basement of the house, with several shelves containing dozens of wine bottles. While this style is still quite popular nowadays, there are also many modern styles that are not only functional but also very aesthetically appealing.

One of the most significant deciding factors to consider in building a custom wine cellar is the size of your available area. Obviously, you can’t begin a large wine collection or cellar, if the only space you have is as big as a closet. But even small spaces will do just fine for your wine bottle storage.

When Your Creating Your Cellar

The overall look of your home should also be taken into consideration when creating a custom wine cellar. Naturally, you want to create something that will blend nicely with the interior design of your house instead of sticking out like a sore thumb.

The structure of most custom wine cellars is simple enough that any handy homeowner will be able to make it on their own. However, if you are not that confident about your carpentry skills, it would be better to hire a professional designer. You will have to spend extra on professional fees but you can rest assured that your wines will be properly protected at all times.

Everything You Need to Know about Wine Coolers

Most wines taste best when stored between 52 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and in order to keep wines at these ideal temperatures, it is necessary for most people to store them in a wine cooler. In a way, these are pretty much like wine racks because they function as efficient containers for the wines. But unlike regular wine racks, wine coolers are closed containers with a regulated internal temperature. They usually come with a glass door, which allows you to display your wine collection even while in storage.

Various Types of Wine Coolers

Just as there are many different types of wines out there, there are also a lot of different types of wine coolers you can use for storing and cooling your wine collection. The most common ones are those that are small enough for placing on counter-tops or a table. But if you have a fairly large wine collection, or if you are planning to start collecting wines in the future, you might want to invest in a larger cooler, which is quite similar to a regular refrigerator. Before making a purchase, you should first think about where you plan on putting your cooler, just to make sure that there is adequate space and that it would look good with the rest of your existing furniture.

Although wine coolers come in many different styles and designs, what they all have in common is the manner in which the wine bottles are stored, which is lying on their sides. The individual shelves are also all sloped upwards towards the rear, with a stopper in front to keep the bottles from falling off. This keeps the cork immersed in liquid, keeping it from shrinking and falling into the bottle, which may happen if the wine bottles are stored right side up.

At this point, you may be wondering whether it is really necessary for everyone to have a wine cooler in their home. Unless you live in a particularly cold climate where the regular room temperature doesn’t rise higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the answer is yes, you do need to get a cooler to keep your wines in optimal condition. This will not only preserve their original taste but prevent spoilage as well.

Wine coolers are not that expensive, with the ordinary tabletop designs costing just about a hundred dollars or even less. Of course, there are also more expensive varieties like the built-in ones and those that have much larger capacities, which can cost up to a thousand dollars, but unless you are a serious wine collector, you don’t really have to buy these luxury pieces.

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