Wine Racks For Your Wine Collection
October 1, 2008 by Joseph
Filed under Wine Racks
Wine aficionados have a passion for seeking out, finding and collecting great wines so that they can enjoy them at any time they desire. Often when wine lovers have found just the right red wines or white wines, they enjoy picking up a few extra bottles to share with friends at their next dinner party. Of course, it is important that quality wine is properly stored in wine racks.
A great wine rack allows the wine to be stored properly so that the bouquet of the blend is preserved. Unfortunately, as all winemakers know, wine can be rather fickle and changes can happen over time, especially if it is exposed to oxygen. Storing the bottles horizontally will assure that the wine is constantly in contact with the cork. This in turn keeps the cork moist and elastic and will keep it from drying out.
If the cord ends up drying out, then it will shrink up and inevitably the seal will be broken. This will allow oxygen to get into the bottle and mingle with the spirits. Soon the wine will oxidize and the taste will be ruined, usually turning vinegary. This factor is why all of the wine racks sold are specifically designed to securely store the wine bottles on their side to make sure that the cork stays covered by the wine.
In addition to being maintained in a horizontal position, wine should also be stored in a space that is both cool and dark. It is also best if the bottles are not exposed to strong odors or to ongoing vibrations. As with most things, keeping the wine cool helps to preserve the taste, but be sure that it doesn’t get too cold or is ever in danger of freezing. A cool, stable temperature is the best environment.
For many people, a basement is the perfect solution to keeping the wine in the best environment possible. Wine should be stored in darkness in order to eliminate the chance of chemical reactions that can be initiated by exposure to light.
However, because vibrations keep the wine from settling and properly maturing, you need to be sure that your wine rack is not placed near an area where machinery is often used. Avoid placing the wine rack in areas such as laundry rooms, mechanical rooms, garages, boilers rooms or any other place where vibrations can interfere with the wine being able to age slowly and fully. Also, avoid any room that is subject to strong odors, as the cork is absorbent and strong odors could end up affecting the taste as well.
There are many different types of wine racks that are available on the market that can meet the needs of just about any wine lover. There are small wine storage racks that hold just a few bottles, stackable wine rack systems that can expand as needed, wine storage cabinets that can hold a few dozen bottles, or custom built in wine rack installations that can fill a whole room.
A wine rack is to wine as hands are to the arm. They are an extension and a useful tool for your wine collection. Sure you will need bottle openers, wine racks and corks but you can find those accessories online. They may be a whole lot cheaper than going to an expensive specialty or wine store to find what you need to begin your wine collection. Saving money does not make you cheap nor does it mean that you have to get cheap merchandise. You can find quality accessories at great prices if you shop around online at different stores.
