What You Need To Know About Home Storage Of Cherished Wines And Spirits
http://www.foodndrinks.net/articles/6374/1/What-You-Need-To-Know-About-Home-Storage-Of-Cherished-Wines-And-Spirits/Page1.html
Michael Sullivan
Michael Sullivan writes for Wall Decor & Home Accents store, a site featuring metal tree art and large outdoor wall art. By Michael Sullivan
Published on 07/20/2010
Many people hurtle through life at warp speed only to come to its end wondering what it is all about. A few lucky ones have found that the art of quietly relishing in life makes it seem like they have lived well when it is time for them to depart this earth.
Many people hurtle through life at with great speed, only to come to its end perplexingly wondering what it is all about. A few lucky ones have learned the art of quietly (and literally) savoring life so that when it is about to be over, one feels like he is lived a thousand years.
If you are one of the fortunate ones, you likely have a home cellar or at the very least iron wall wine racks to hold your hoard of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Chablis, Merlot, or Pinot Noir. Yes, wine, because wine never fails to warm the heart, making it very difficult for one to be morose or sad with it around. Some prefer a Robert Mondavi, others a Gallo. Still others would swear Australian wines are the best, while others would tell you it is South African, Chilean, or French. Specific preferences may vary, but the means of storing wine at home remain the same and are universal.
Not All Wines Should Be Kept.
How long a wine should be stored depends on the type. Many spirits are of the kind that does not store for very long, while others can be kept for 20, sometimes 30 years. As a rule of thumb, cheap wine would not benefit from long storage. Neither will wine which come in a container other than glass.
Other wines of this type include Gallo, Hardys and Jacobs Creek, as well as wines from France marked "Nouveau" and "Vin du pays" the German QBA, and all other wines marked "table wine"."
Keep Only Wines That Have the Potential to Improve Over Time.
While your favorite wine wall decor or wine decor will keep forever, you should seek advice on how long your favorite wine keeps. As a rough guide, here is how long the popular ones may be stored:
Zinfandel 2-7 years
Shiraz 2-15 years
Pinot Noir 2-10 years
Cabernet Sauvignon 2-20 years
Merlot 2-10 years
Chardonnay 2-6 years
Sauvignon blanc 2-4 years
Chenin blanc 2-30 years
Temperature
Your wine racks should be positioned where the temperature does not fluctuate wildly, anywhere between 9 and 15 degrees Celsius, with eleven degrees being the ideal storage temperature.
Humidity
Around seventy percent is ideal; any lower and the cork can dry out, which permits oxygen to get in and turns your wine to vinegar. If the humidity falls too much, it may not harm the wine, but it can cause the labels to rot, which makes it impossible for you to tell which wines are prized and which are not.
Light
If it gets warmer than 25 degrees Celsius, your wine will be rendered unfit for even cooking, let alone to be enjoyed off the wine glass, so keep your treasure trove away from sunlight or any other artificial light.
Vibration
Wine is best stored in a vibration-free surrounding, so place your iron wall wine racks in a basement room.
If you are one of the fortunate ones, you likely have a home cellar or at the very least iron wall wine racks to hold your hoard of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Zinfandel, Chablis, Merlot, or Pinot Noir. Yes, wine, because wine never fails to warm the heart, making it very difficult for one to be morose or sad with it around. Some prefer a Robert Mondavi, others a Gallo. Still others would swear Australian wines are the best, while others would tell you it is South African, Chilean, or French. Specific preferences may vary, but the means of storing wine at home remain the same and are universal.
Not All Wines Should Be Kept.
How long a wine should be stored depends on the type. Many spirits are of the kind that does not store for very long, while others can be kept for 20, sometimes 30 years. As a rule of thumb, cheap wine would not benefit from long storage. Neither will wine which come in a container other than glass.
Other wines of this type include Gallo, Hardys and Jacobs Creek, as well as wines from France marked "Nouveau" and "Vin du pays" the German QBA, and all other wines marked "table wine"."
Keep Only Wines That Have the Potential to Improve Over Time.
While your favorite wine wall decor or wine decor will keep forever, you should seek advice on how long your favorite wine keeps. As a rough guide, here is how long the popular ones may be stored:
Zinfandel 2-7 years
Shiraz 2-15 years
Pinot Noir 2-10 years
Cabernet Sauvignon 2-20 years
Merlot 2-10 years
Chardonnay 2-6 years
Sauvignon blanc 2-4 years
Chenin blanc 2-30 years
Temperature
Your wine racks should be positioned where the temperature does not fluctuate wildly, anywhere between 9 and 15 degrees Celsius, with eleven degrees being the ideal storage temperature.
Humidity
Around seventy percent is ideal; any lower and the cork can dry out, which permits oxygen to get in and turns your wine to vinegar. If the humidity falls too much, it may not harm the wine, but it can cause the labels to rot, which makes it impossible for you to tell which wines are prized and which are not.
Light
If it gets warmer than 25 degrees Celsius, your wine will be rendered unfit for even cooking, let alone to be enjoyed off the wine glass, so keep your treasure trove away from sunlight or any other artificial light.
Vibration
Wine is best stored in a vibration-free surrounding, so place your iron wall wine racks in a basement room.