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jeff wrote:
> "Woodswun" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>jeff wrote:
>>
>>>"Joel Sprague" > wrote in message
>>>news:CWpIe.35$KX4.22@okepread05...
>>>
>>>
>>>>While this isn't technically about winemaking, all of us have to store
>>>>and
>>>>age our wine, at one time or another, so I figured this question would
>>>>still
>>>>be appropriate here.
>>>>
>>>>I was wondering what all must be addressed in building yourself a wine
>>>>cellar. Not talking about the choosing of wines, or where to purchase
>>>>them,
>>>>or anything like that, but the actual cellar itself. What concerns must
>>>>be
>>>>addressed in regards to temperature, humidity, etc.
>>>>
>>>>One specific question right now is as to why it must have a controlled
>>>>higher humidity? Is this just to keep the corks moist, or is there some
>>>>other reason too? Also, how does using synthetic corks change these
>>>>needs?
>>>>
>>>>Any input on this subject, or pointing me to proper place to look, would
>>>>be
>>>>greatly appreciated. Didn't notice anything on wine storage in all the
>>>>old
>>>>messages I'd read back through, so have some hesitation about posting
>>>>this
>>>>here, but at the worst, you just tell me to shut up and go somewhere else
>>>>with this question, which is fine. 
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in advance for your help
>>>>Joel
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Joel,
>>>
>>>The main considerations for wine storage a
>>>
>>>1. Light. Ultriaviolet light ages wine prematurely. Especially reds. That
>>>includes incandescent light bulbs. Keep it as dark as possible. Some wine
>>>storage rooms have florescent light without UV.
>>>2. Temperature. The best temperature to store reds and whites togeter is
>>>54 - 57 F. If the temperture gets lower, some precipitation can occur and
>>>form a sediment. not a bad sediment, but still...sediment. Temperatures
>>>higher than 57 aren't a sin, until it gets up around 68, especially for
>>>reds. then you have premature ageing. Temperatures that fluctuate up and
>>>down also prematurely age wine. Wine is a living thing. If it is always
>>>adjusting to rising a lowering temps it just gets tired and gives up.
>>>3. Humidity. If your humidity is higher than 65% the corks can begin to
>>>get soft and labels will also get soggy and peal off. Also, mold is a big
>>>factor. If the humidity is lower than 50%, the opposite will happen, your
>>>corks will dry out and wine will seep, thus, oxidation.
>>>4. Vibration. Keep your wine free of traffic areas, like under stairs or
>>>beside anything that makes noise or vibrates. Refrigerators etc. Wines
>>>stored in coolers usually have a vibration free unit.
>>>
>>>Other than that, store your whites on the bottom and reds on the top.
>>>Store your longest ageing wines at the back and your early drinkers at
>>>the front (that's if your cellar is a walk in).
>>>
>>
>>Why should the reds, which are more sensitive to light, be on the top?
>>
>>
>>>You probably know all the above, already, but that's the basics. If
>>>you're building a unit, you'll need insulation, of course, and if it's
>>>not a naturally stable temperature, you might need a cooling unit that
>>>exhausts warm air into another room, or to the outside.
>>>
>>>Jeff
>>
>>I know your post wasn't directed toward me, but we're about to start the
>>process of using the bulk of our cellar for a wine cellar, so this was
>>very helpful to me - thanks!
>>
>>Woods
>
>
> Whites are usually stored on the bottom, since the cooler temperatures exist
> there. even in a temperature controlled room, colder air will still settle
> and there can be a 3 degree difference between bottom and top of a wine
> cellar. If the light is always off, it shouldn't make a difference about the
> reds. However, if your cellar is a walk-in, place longer ageing wines
> towards the back, away from the door, or away from the light. Having said
> that, vertical placement is chosen for the sake of temperature. Reds can
> stand a higher cellar temperature than whites. White wines need a few
> degrees cooler than reds, and therefore, the lower shelves are preferred.
>
> Hope this helps.
Yes, it did - thanks!!
Woods
>
> Jeff
>
>
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