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Myths Busted: A Guide to Wine Cellars
Experts tell us about the 6 most common myths about wine cellars
Kasper Iversen
19 December 2018
1. Myth: Wine cellars have to be in the basement
It may be called a wine “cellar,” but it doesn’t actually have to be in the basement – and you don’t have to call it something else if it’s on any other floor. “Many people think they can’t have a real wine cellar if they don’t have a basement. But ‘wine cellar’ is an all-inclusive term for a closed-off area with the right climate for wine, no matter how big it is or where it’s located,” says Jan Sørensen, director and founder of Vintagekeeping.
In practice, it is actually rare for a wine cellar to be installed in the basement, according to Rune Pedersen, who runs Stact Danmark. “Only 5-10% of the wine cellars and racks we install are in the basement. For one thing, when you invest in a nice wine rack or wine cellar, there’s no reason to keep it hidden – you want it to be somewhere where you can show it off,” he says.
It may be called a wine “cellar,” but it doesn’t actually have to be in the basement – and you don’t have to call it something else if it’s on any other floor. “Many people think they can’t have a real wine cellar if they don’t have a basement. But ‘wine cellar’ is an all-inclusive term for a closed-off area with the right climate for wine, no matter how big it is or where it’s located,” says Jan Sørensen, director and founder of Vintagekeeping.
In practice, it is actually rare for a wine cellar to be installed in the basement, according to Rune Pedersen, who runs Stact Danmark. “Only 5-10% of the wine cellars and racks we install are in the basement. For one thing, when you invest in a nice wine rack or wine cellar, there’s no reason to keep it hidden – you want it to be somewhere where you can show it off,” he says.
Sørensen also busted the myth that the temperature in an underground space is automatically better than above ground: “There is basically no advantage to having a wine cellar underground: It doesn’t make things any easier, because neither temperature nor humidity are constant below ground, so a temperature control system is usually necessary no matter what floor it’s on.”
Whether you will need climate control depends on on your priorities. “We have many customers that are more concerned with the interior design aspect of their wine storage, so they care more about the wine rack’s colour and lighting or how it fits in with the style of the rest of the home than they do about getting the right temperature,” Pedersen says.
Browse through images of wine cellars
Whether you will need climate control depends on on your priorities. “We have many customers that are more concerned with the interior design aspect of their wine storage, so they care more about the wine rack’s colour and lighting or how it fits in with the style of the rest of the home than they do about getting the right temperature,” Pedersen says.
Browse through images of wine cellars
2. Myth: Wines in a cellar are ready to serve
If there’s one misconception about wine storage Sørensen encounters over and over again, it’s that wine must always be kept at serving temperature. “Many people do not know that wine should be stored and drunk at two different temperatures. For all wines, the optimal storage temperature is 12 degrees celcius [53.6 degrees Fahrenheit], regardless whether we’re talking about red wine, white wine, dessert wine, port or, for that matter, champagne or craft beer,” he says.
If there’s one misconception about wine storage Sørensen encounters over and over again, it’s that wine must always be kept at serving temperature. “Many people do not know that wine should be stored and drunk at two different temperatures. For all wines, the optimal storage temperature is 12 degrees celcius [53.6 degrees Fahrenheit], regardless whether we’re talking about red wine, white wine, dessert wine, port or, for that matter, champagne or craft beer,” he says.
“For the same reason, the wine cellars and wine coolers that we see in many restaurants are not actually considered wine cellars in our terminology, because the bottles are stored at serving temperature so that they can be taken out and served immediately,” Sørensen says.
He says that the best solution for private homes is often to keep a wine cellar at the correct temperature, as well as a small wine cabinet in the kitchen for ready-to-drink wines at serving temperature.
If you are going to go for a wine cellar without climate control, Pedersen recommends putting it in one of the cooler areas of the home.
“Avoid putting it near wood-burning stoves or in the kitchen, where temperatures are often above the home’s average,” Pedersen says.
He says that the best solution for private homes is often to keep a wine cellar at the correct temperature, as well as a small wine cabinet in the kitchen for ready-to-drink wines at serving temperature.
If you are going to go for a wine cellar without climate control, Pedersen recommends putting it in one of the cooler areas of the home.
“Avoid putting it near wood-burning stoves or in the kitchen, where temperatures are often above the home’s average,” Pedersen says.
3. Myth: A climate-controlled cellar doesn’t need insulation
“It’s a common mistake to think you can control the climate in a wine cellar without first insulating it,” Sørensen says. “Since it is a cold room – just not quite as cold as a typical refrigerator or freezer – insulation is a must. This surprises the vast majority of people, including architects and contractors. When there is cooling on one side of a non-insulated wall, it produces condensation on the other side, thus risking rot and mould. We have seen that happen with DIY climate control installation in a number of wine cellars that were not insulated first.”
“It’s a common mistake to think you can control the climate in a wine cellar without first insulating it,” Sørensen says. “Since it is a cold room – just not quite as cold as a typical refrigerator or freezer – insulation is a must. This surprises the vast majority of people, including architects and contractors. When there is cooling on one side of a non-insulated wall, it produces condensation on the other side, thus risking rot and mould. We have seen that happen with DIY climate control installation in a number of wine cellars that were not insulated first.”
Moreover, uninsulated wine cellars are more expensive to cool, because it takes more energy. “It’s like heating or cooling a house that’s not insulated,” he says.
See these popular home bars
See these popular home bars
4. Myth: Expensive wine turns faster than cheap wine
There are obvious reasons to take better care of a ₹3000 [$500] bottle of wine than a ₹300 [$5] one. However, when it comes to vulnerability to heat, cold, dryness and moisture, Sørensen says they can be treated the same. “Basically, an expensive wine is no more vulnerable than a cheap one when it comes to temperature or humidity.”
He suggests that the myth of expensive wine turning faster than cheap wine comes from the fact that old wine is often more expensive than newer vintages, and also more apt to turn than new just because of its age. In addition, wine with a cork is more vulnerable to humidity than wine with a screw cap or other types of plastic stoppers.
There are obvious reasons to take better care of a ₹3000 [$500] bottle of wine than a ₹300 [$5] one. However, when it comes to vulnerability to heat, cold, dryness and moisture, Sørensen says they can be treated the same. “Basically, an expensive wine is no more vulnerable than a cheap one when it comes to temperature or humidity.”
He suggests that the myth of expensive wine turning faster than cheap wine comes from the fact that old wine is often more expensive than newer vintages, and also more apt to turn than new just because of its age. In addition, wine with a cork is more vulnerable to humidity than wine with a screw cap or other types of plastic stoppers.
5. Myth: You should store wine in the dark
These two experts say you’re probably not alone in thinking this, because it’s a widespread myth. “Wine is basically unharmed by visible light, but – like human beings – it can be damaged by UV light. So light is not prohibited [in cellar decor], but UV light should be avoided,” Sørensen says.
Check out these wine cellars that suit every taste
These two experts say you’re probably not alone in thinking this, because it’s a widespread myth. “Wine is basically unharmed by visible light, but – like human beings – it can be damaged by UV light. So light is not prohibited [in cellar decor], but UV light should be avoided,” Sørensen says.
Check out these wine cellars that suit every taste
This is why Pedersen advises people not to put wine in direct daylight. “Avoid too much sunlight. If you have a window that the sun constantly shines through, it’s certainly not the place for your wine,” he says. He adds that this applies whether you store wine in a wine cellar or not.
For this reason, glass wine cellar walls should be equipped with a UV filter, and all lights inside the cellar should be LEDs. “LED is the only light source that does not emit UV rays. Even candles and fluorescent tubes do,” Sørensen says.
For this reason, glass wine cellar walls should be equipped with a UV filter, and all lights inside the cellar should be LEDs. “LED is the only light source that does not emit UV rays. Even candles and fluorescent tubes do,” Sørensen says.
6. What does a wine cellar cost?
This last point isn’t a myth, but addresses something that very few people know about: How much a wine cellar costs.
“Only very few people have a realistic idea of what it costs to install a wine cellar,” Pedersen says. While some assume that wine cellars are unattainably expensive, others mistakenly believe that they can get a fully equipped one unrealistically cheaply.
Generally speaking, it’s difficult to set standard prices for wine storage as there are always custom elements – it’s better to speak to a few professionals to get a good idea of the pricing.
Read more:
High Spirits: 8 Popular Ideas For Home Bars
Tell us:
Do you have a wine cellar at home? Share your knowledge about it in the Comments below.
This last point isn’t a myth, but addresses something that very few people know about: How much a wine cellar costs.
“Only very few people have a realistic idea of what it costs to install a wine cellar,” Pedersen says. While some assume that wine cellars are unattainably expensive, others mistakenly believe that they can get a fully equipped one unrealistically cheaply.
Generally speaking, it’s difficult to set standard prices for wine storage as there are always custom elements – it’s better to speak to a few professionals to get a good idea of the pricing.
Read more:
High Spirits: 8 Popular Ideas For Home Bars
Tell us:
Do you have a wine cellar at home? Share your knowledge about it in the Comments below.
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