Homemade Wine Cellars
If you find you have become quite the wine collector, you may now be in need of your own wine cellar. A good storage location with ideal temperatures, lighting, space, racks and humidity conditions are requirements. The better storage area you maintain for your collection the longer it will last and help to control aging. Consider a few tips about homemade wine cellars to choose or design ideal storage.
Finding the perfect location for a new wine cellar is probably the most difficult task. The best temperature ranges for wine storage are 55 degrees to about 58 degrees Fahrenheit. If these temperatures are difficult to come by just make sure the wine is not placed in areas reaching under 40 degrees or over 85 degrees. Any extremes below or above these temperatures can cause wine to spoil rather quickly.
Consider using your basement for wine storage, if you are not fortunate to have a real wine cellar. Most basements are on the dark side anyway and a dark area is a requirement. Cool basement floors keep the area cool, and thick cement walls provide natural insulation for keeping out warm air. Using a cool dark basement also helps to assure that the corks in the wine bottles do not begin to degrade, shrink or crack. When the corks get too dry from heat and begin to crack, this allows air inside, which may spoil the wine.
Build your own wine racks or purchase them pre-made. Requirements for racks include a stable and secure rack with the ability to store wine bottles on their sides. Pick up lumber supplies from a building materials supply and design your own racks or check into pre-made racks at local home improvement centers.
- Purchase a well-made exterior-grade door for the wine cellar to keep humidity levels moderate and the inside temperature stable.