Consider Proper Wine Storage when Selecting a Wine Rack

Okay, I am just going to put it out there.  Not everyone can afford to have a cellar for proper wine storage. And even if you can,  you may just want an interesting artistic way to display and store a few bottles in your kitchen or dining area.   Hence the beauty of the wine rack.  A wine rack not only is the average wine drinkers answer to wine storage, but it is the wine lover's iconic display of their knowledge of and passion for wine.  It makes sense then to consider proper wine storage when selecting a wine rack for you home.  

I consulted 3 sites, Vintage Cellars, CellarNotes.net and redstowhites.com.  All 3 sites agree that light, temperature, and humidity are the three factors that have the most direct effect on wine preservation.  Selecting an area with no vibration was also mentioned as important by all of these sites.  But before we look more deeply into these 4 areas I feel it is important to point out what redstowhites.com explains about the majority of wines sold in the US today.


"The majority of wine, made or imported into the USA up to the $20.00 price point, is meant to be consumed within a year or two of the release. Some of these wines will get better in a year or two and its fine to keep them around a little longer, but most of the world's wines (about 90%) are meant to be consumed young."

That being said, wine storage is still important, but unless you are planning on buying and keeping wines for 2 or more years, perfect storage conditions may not be as critical.


Light:


The problem with light and wine is that light can interact with the wine's phenolic compounds to create unpleasant characteristics.  However, according to Cellarnotes.net most modern bottles have ultraviolet filters built into the glass that help protect the contents from most of the effects of UV rays.  You will still want to keep your wines out of direct sunlight. Therefore, when considering a wine rack style, i.e. table top, wall mount, or wine furniture, think first about a location in your home that is protected from direct sunlight.  Maybe the north wall in your dining room stays shaded, or the countertop in your kitchen gets the least direct sunlight.  A shaded spot in the study is also a great place to consider putting your wine rack. 


Temperature:

According to all 3 sites 55 degrees is the ultimate temperature for storing wines.  However, without a cellar that is difficult to accomplish.  But remember, most wines sold in the US are not meant to be stored for longer periods of time, but to be opened while still young.  Redstowhites.com does say that storing wines in your home is acceptable.  Keeping the temperatures of your wines constant is key. Temperature fluctuations can be damaging to your wines. So although you may not have it at 55 degrees, a constant temperature is helpful.

"Although, it is possible to store wine at an acceptable temperature in a house or apartment, you should choose your spot carefully.  North-facing walls and nooks and crannies are places to examine."

Humidity:

The importance of humidity is related to keeping the cork moist and if you are not storing your wines for the long term then keeping your bottles on their side will help keep the corks moist until you open them.

Vibration: 
  
"Regular or constant vibrations from pumps, motors or generators should be avoided since the vibrations they cause are thought to negatively affect the evolution of the wines."  Cellarnotes.net

So do not place your wine rack on top of your refrigerator or dryer.  


And one final note that all sites also mention.  Do not store your wines in areas where strong odors exist.  The wines may pick up the odors in their flavors.  Yuck who wants a wine that tastes of car gas fumes?

A quick recap of things to consider before you purchase your wine rack. 

Select a space that is shaded from direct sunlight, the darker the better.

The area should have no vibration.

Be sure not to choose a location that would put your wine around strong odors.

And lastly select an area where temperatures will stay more consistent (not the garage if is is not temperature controlled.) 

Once you have chosen the best locations for a wine rack in your home then you can select your wine rack and fill it up.   Keep in mind one last point.  If you are storing wines that use cork closures, then you want to select a rack that will have the wine bottles on their sides or upside down to keep the cork moist. 

Bottles stored on their sides is key to correct wine storage.

If you follow these tips you can be confident that you will be able to store your wines correctly enough to enjoy great tasting wine every time.  For tips and ideas on serving wine visit our sister blog wineranddiner.

Wall Mounted Wine Racks as Wall Art

With the current selection of wine racks being so creative and elegant, using your wine rack as part of your wall art decor is easier than ever.  Check out some of the wall mounted racks below.  Beautiful wrought iron elegance that easily and artistically displays your favorite selection of wines and wine glasses.  Most of these wine racks would look good in any home decor.  

Handmade wrought iron grapevine pattern

Store up to 5 bottles in this wrought iron wine rack

I see the above selection beautifully displayed over a dining room buffet with shelves and one or two of your favorite pictures.  On the shelves display some of your china pieces and some greenery.  The end result a beautiful wall display that is artistic and serves the purpose of showcasing and storing your wine selection.

A shelf like this one from Pottery Barn would work well.

Beautiful and artistic this wine rack shown below is a wrought iron piece of art on its own.  Being able to store and display your wine bottles makes this piece a valuable asset to own.  The neutral colors of the wrought iron allows this piece to work well in many home decor themes.   

Go to our website at www.winerackdecor.com to see our selection of artistic wall mounted racks.  For dips and ideas on serving wine see our sister blog www.wineranddiner.blogspot.com.

Selecting a Wine Rack for Your Home

There are many affordable wine racks available on line and in brick and mortar stores. But the internet offers the most comprehensive selection of wine racks available.

Here are key points to keep in mind when looking for a wine rack. 

Look for ones that store the wine bottles either at an angle or completely on their side. This is important to keep the corks moist. It can be damaging to the wine if a cork dries out. A wine rack that holds the bottles completely upside down would work too.  But if you are just absolutely in love with a wine rack that stores the bottles straight up and down that is fine too.  Just keep in mind the length of time you store those wines in that particular rack.  Be sure to consume them within a couple of months to ensure a better tasting glass of wine.

Wine racks vary in size and styles. Table top styles offer the most selection and are by far the most popular choice for the wine drinker. But you can find wine racks that are meant to be mounted on the wall and many of those styles will hold wine glasses as well. Wine rack furniture is another option for storing ones treasured wine collection and offering room for other things as well.  The bakers rack style shown below would work in either the kitchen or dining area and offer storage room for plates and other kitchen and dining accessories. 

Know where you want to put your wines.  Consider areas that are protected from direct sunlight again to better ensure a great tasting glass of wine.  Having some idea as to where you want to use the wine rack will help you determine style and size.

Finally, define your home decor style.  Is your style traditional with the deep cherry oak furniture or maybe it is more shabby chic with vintage type furniture. A modern eclectic look may be more your style.  With all the selection on the internet you are sure to find one to fit your home decor.  

The choices of wine rack styles available today are amazing.  Choosing a rack made of metal or wrought iron will simplify this decision for you because most of these styles are flexible enough to go with any home decor. Wrought iron racks tend to be even more decorative in style and can add a beautiful artistic flair to the home.


Check out our website at www.winerackdecor.com for a decorative and elegant selection of wine racks for your home.

Wine Racks Add Beauty to your Home

On the kitchen counter or the dining room buffet, an elegant wine rack is a perfect choice for storing and displaying your favorite wines and wine glasses. 


There is just something pleasing to the senses when it rests on a beautiful wine rack filled with a carefully chosen selection of wines.  One begins to wonder about the wines themselves.  Are they from Italy, France or Napa Valley California?  Are the red wines full bodied cabernets or lighter pinot noirs. Are the white wines buttery chardonnays, crisp pinot grigios or bubbly white zinfandels?  Your mouth begins to water just thinking of all the interesting flavors.

Kitchen counter tops offer excellent space for an elegant display of ones wines

The proud owner of the wines becomes something of an icon as well.  Did they travel to France or California for these wines?  Where do they buy their wines? Possibly they are members of a wine club.  

The beauty of the wine rack is not lost among all the intrigue surrounding the wines.  The elegant and graceful designs of wine racks available today offer such a selection it can be difficult to know which one to choose.  Seeing a beautiful wine rack filled with wines draws one to go up and touch it,  to admire its beauty more closely.  From there one may look at the other items displayed and admire how the wine rack fits in perfectly with the rest of the owners home's decor. 

Elegant wrought iron wine rack that fits most home decors.

The combination of an orderly yet elegant display of ones favorite wines is a status symbol of sorts.  A display of accomplishment and distinction that the average wine lover can enjoy.