Wine cellars and storage facilities are often high-tech, sophisticated devices. That hasn’t always been the case, though; 7,000 years ago, Iranian Neolithic people buried wine under dirt flooring in ceramic jugs. A little later, old Romans kept their wine in catacombs. To put it simply, good wine storage is an art form humans have been honing for a very long time.
Fortunately, we have progressed much since the Romans buried their wine in underactive cemeteries. In both personal and business environments, tech-forward wine storage cellars are now employed to precisely preserve great wines all around the globe.
For many, appropriate basement wine cellars by Millesime can seem like a scary topic fit for just the most knowledgeable sommeliers. But, if you grasp the fundamentals, storing and aging wine at home has become a really simple task with the development of modern wine cellars and storage options.
The Value of Correct Wine Storage
Only if kept properly will wine be a rare product that can truly enhance in taste and value over time. Here’s the justification: Wine is not permanent. Unlike whiskey, rum, or other spirits, its somewhat modest ABV is not sufficient to make wine drinkable indefinitely. You bypass the “aging,” and enter straight into the “spoiling,” by incorrectly storing wines. (You have probably personally seen how quickly a bottle may grow rancid if you have ever left one in your car on a hot summer day!
We especially can name one group of phenolic compounds: tannins. Generally found in the stems, seeds, and skins of grapes, tannins are fundamental in how wine ages. The dry parts of a wine’s mouth feel come from tannins. These tannins react to appropriate age in a way that brings desired changes in some wines.
One advantage of aged wine is a growing number of people consider aged wine to be the perfect approach to vary their investing portfolio. Like fine art, wine investment is based on a tangible object that should be appreciated with time. Investors purchase, retain, and then resell their wine. The wine needs to be matured under almost ideal circumstances if this is to be feasible. Ultimately, if your investment fails, then… it’s not too much of an investment.
Whether considering taste or financial value, properly preserving wine over a period of years—or even decades—can greatly enhance its character generally.
Can One Keep the Wine in a Basement?
Many people find that a basement is the logical spot to establish a wine storage cellar. Often left undisturbed, it’s cold and dark. Their great attractiveness and location off the main path of the house make them an obviously romantic place to create a fully functional wine cellar. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons cellars are not necessarily the best place to keep wine.
Control of temperature can be challenging. Wine storage depends entirely on a consistent, controlled ambient temperature since temperature is a major element influencing fine wines turning bad. Not only are many basements not air-conditioned; but they also let in the always-shifting outer world temperature. The conditions for properly aging wine might be completely destroyed by even a five to ten-degree change in ambient temperature.
Most are not properly insulated. Likewise, a lot of basements have really inadequate insulation. The effects of seasonal weather variations seldom provide any buffer. Of course, replacing basement insulation is feasible; but, it is a costly, time-consuming procedure most likely not going to create an appropriate climate for wine storage and aging.
Humidity brings havoc. Beyond temperature, basements are also prone to extreme, uncontrollable humidity swings. One of the main foes of good wine aging is moisture since too much may cause mold growth. If your cellar is wet, the moisture in the air can destroy the label of a superb bottle—even one stored at the perfect temperature. On the other hand, too low humidity can induce shrinkage and dry out of corks. A cork dries and becomes brittle, air will seep into the bottle and the wine will start to oxidize. Wine will surely go bad in those cases.
The wine shelves finalize your basement’s transformation as a wine cellar. Made from a broad range of materials, these come in several designs and finishes. Although taste does matter here, you should be cautious to locate shelves fit for long-term use. Since they will probably be in your cellar for years—and maybe decades—the racks should be constructed of materials that age nicely. Steer clear of composite and particle board and substitute stronger materials like metal and solid wood racks.
Wrapping-Up!
Although taste does matter here, you should be cautious to locate shelves fit for long-term use. Since they will probably be in your cellar for years—and maybe decades—the racks should be constructed of materials that age nicely. Steer clear of composite and particle board and substitute more durable materials like metal and solid wood racks.
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