Wine Cellars In Dallas TX: 5 Wine Storage Variables To Watch For

Owners of custom wine cellars in Dallas TX know that having a great wine collection isn’t just about choosing wines you like to drink – although that is a big part of it.  Having a wine collection that you can enjoy now, a year from now or a decade from now starts with the right storage.  Wine collectors with wine cellars in Dallas TX know that wine can be easily compromised if you don’t create the perfect environment for it.  If you’re thinking of starting your own wine collection or you have a few cases but aren’t sure what to do with them, here are some basics of wine storage to watch for:

1.  Watch The Temperature.  Too much heat is the worst thing for your wine.  If the temperature in your wine storage area rises above 70℉, your wine will age too quickly.  Temperatures in the 80s or higher can essentially cook your wine, resulting in flat aromas and flavors.  The ideal temperature for wine is between 45℉ and 65℉.  It’s also not a good idea to let your wine get too cold or to let it freeze.  Temperatures below 45℉ can dry out the cork and allow air into the bottles.  Ideally, a constant temperature of 55℉ is perfect for wine but don’t panic if you can’t achieve that all the time.  The most important thing you need to remember is to not let the temperature fluctuate wildly up and down where you store your collection.

2.  Watch The Humidity.  Although humidity control isn’t as important as temperature control, it’s still ideal to keep humidity in your wine storage area a constant 70%, if possible.  In general, below about 50% humidity, the corks in your wine can dry out and allow air into the bottles; above 80% and you could develop a mold problem.  If your wine is properly bottled, the mold will likely just affect the labels.

3.  Watch The Light.   A little light exposure here and there won’t hurt your wine; but longterm exposure to light, especially UV light from the sun or fluorescent bulbs can degrade and prematurely age wine.  It’s for that reason that vintners use colored bottles for wine.

4.  Watch The Angle.  Traditionally, wine bottles are stored on their sides to ensure that there is constant contact between the liquid and the cork.  This keeps the cork from drying out.  But if you have wine you’re going to drink quickly or you have bottles that are sealed with screw tops or plastic or glass corks, then you don’t have store them horizontally.  You’ll find, however, that horizontal storage is a space-saver and won’t harm your wine.

5.  Watch The Vibrations.  Although there is a school of thought that even minor vibrations can speed up the chemical reactions in wine, there really isn’t much scientific evidence to back this up.  It is, however, a good idea to keep older wines from being shaken too much because shaking or excessive vibration can disturb their sediment, making them unpleasantly gritty to drink.

Make sure your wine collection has the best storage possible by calling us at Vineyard Wine Cellars at (866) 615-4008.  At Vineyard Wine Cellars, we make the finest wine cellars in Dallas TX.  Visit us online at www.vineyardwinecellars.com to see a gallery of our projects and to find out what we can do for you.

Wine Cellars in Dallas TX
Vineyard Wine Cellars
15020 Beltway Dr.
Addison, Texas 75001
866-973-1100 972-712-9600