When it comes to the best wines and how to store them, you can find 10 unique opinions from 10 oenophiles. Preferences abound.
But one thing that few will argue is that an elegant wine cellar or chiller can add a sense of luxury and style to your home — and that translates to added value.
Wine racks, chillers and remote storage are popular ways to store wine — see below for some simple solutions. But the dream of most wine connoisseurs is a home cellar stocked with favorites, rarities and variety — and in a stylishly-designed nook where you’ll be proud to bring your friends.
Remember, most of the relatively simple and everyday wines, such as Pinot Grigio, Beaujolais and many of the supermarket Merlots and Chardonnays are typically designed to be consumed within a few weeks or months. Optimal storage is still smart — it just won’t significantly improve the way a premium wine will. (For more on that, see this article at winefolly.com.)
For fine wines to develop to their peak potential, there are a few things that must happen. No direct sunlight, fairly consistent temperatures (no fluctuations beyond about 5 degrees) that fit somewhere between 45 and 60 degrees.
With those rules in mind, let’s explore some wine cellar options.
Finding the Right Spot
Typically, the lowest level of the home is best. This is Central Texas, so basements aren’t an option for most people. But often the rear of a living room, entertainment room or bar area are ideal. Look for corner locations.
Wine cellars usually don’t need to be very big. For a couple hundred bottles, 35-40 square feet may suffice. Often, the area beneath a stairwell works perfectly (consider this modern design.)
With a location in mind, consider materials that will complement your home.
Many people prefer a rustic, unfinished wood and stone look that might conjure thoughts of old Italy or France. (Take this example.) But in a modern home, a sleeker look using glass and metals may best accent the house. (Here’s an example.)
Austin has dozens of luxury homes that already have wine cellars, too, like this one.
Simple Solutions for Wine Storage
A wine cooler is probably the easiest and most affordable way to store wine in your home. And, even if you have a wine cellar, a chiller can come in handy in the kitchen or guest house. For under $200, you can have 18 bottles stored at optimal temperature and humidity.
If this is all you need, consider checking out a retailer or look around online, such as the Austin-based Wine Cooler Direct.
Consider whether you want a free-standing unit, best for out-of-the-way placement with room for it to ventilate out the rear of the unit — or a built-in cooler that you can install below a counter as if it were a dishwasher. And consider a dual-zone cooler if you like different wines at different temperatures.
Even though it’s just an appliance, chillers can be used to spice up a room and provide a sense of elegance. (Here’s an example.)
If that collection grows too large, there are dozens of storage companies that will store wines in optimal conditions for a monthly fee. Those include U-Haul storage locations and selfstorage.com. Or, of course, you could just throw more parties and drink more wine.