Tag Archives: wine storage

Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems & Wine Cellar Door Tips

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Wine collection and storage does not start and end with collecting wine bottles, no matter how expensive and rare they are. There are a lot of facets in wine storage that must be taken seriously to maintain the ideal settings and conditions in your custom wine cellar. The two most important aspects of a wine cellar that must be taken into account are the wine cellar refrigeration system and wine cellar door.

 

Achieve the Ideal Wine Storage Conditions with Functional Wine Refrigeration System & Wine Cellar Door

Wine Cellar Cooling & Door are Essential in Proper Wine Storage

Both the wine cellar refrigeration system and wine cellar door must be reliable to achieve optimal storage conditions in your California custom wine cellar. If one of them does not function properly, your precious wine will surely be ruined.

The two main factors that contribute to wine’s quality are temperature and humidity. A wine cellar environment that has an unstable temperature and humidity will cause wine damage.

It is best to seek help from your wine cellar builder in choosing the right cooling equipment for your wine storage room. Also, make sure that your wine cooling system is appropriate for the size and location of the wine cellar.

Admittedly, the most overlooked matter is the kind of door that will not only enhance the aesthetic value of one’s wine cellar, but also one that will help in maintaining the wine cellar’s temperature and humidity levels.  Sometimes, wine collectors underestimate the contribution of the wine cellar door beyond aesthetics and design.

Wine cellar doors play a big role in maintaining the ideal wine storage temperature and humidity levels inside the wine cellar. Correctly made and installed, wine cellar doors will trap the cool air inside the room and help maintain the cool temperature. Wine cellar doors are made of wood, wrought iron, glass, or a combination of these three.

Wine cellar doors must have an insulation capacity and perimeter seal to prevent warm air from entering the wine cellar. They are sealed and have locking mechanisms to help maintain the temperature inside the wine cellar.

RELIABLE WINE COOLING UNITS by US CELLAR SYSTEMS

Planning, budget, and design are the main important aspects of wine cellar construction. It is just common sense that the wine collector assess the availability of materials and services in the market.

US Cellar Systems offers wine cellar refrigeration systems for residential wine cellars, hospitality wine storage spaces, wine closets, and wine cabinets. What is exceptional about us is our customer service, assisting our clients in all facets of wine cellar building from planning to installation.

We are ready to answer your technical questions and assist you with your needs and concerns. Our products are easily available across the US, from San Francisco to New York. If planning and proper execution is your main concern, US Cellar Systems is what you are looking for. For more details and inquiries, please visit our website http://www.winecellarrefrigerationsystems.com/ or call us at (562) 513-3017.

The Importance of Proper Wine Storage, Aeration & Decanting

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It is common knowledge that wines need to age well to be enjoyed by the drinker. Some wine lovers collect wine for easy access of their favorite vintage. Here’s a guide on how to enjoy wine to the fullest.

 

A Guide to Wine Enjoyment – Proper Wine Storage, Aeration & Decanting

 

Wine Storage

Proper wine storage affects how wine will taste after the bottle is opened. Wine storage solutions include wine cellars, wine racks, and wine cabinets.

Residential wine cellars are ideal for wine collectors who have the right space and budget. It is important that you choose a professional wine cellar builder who designs and installs the wine cellar with the equipment necessary for your wines to achieve peak quality. Wine cellars can be customized to provide uniqueness to your existing space.

You may opt for wine racks if you have only a few wine bottles and have a limited budget for building your own wine cellar. Wine racks can also be customized to complement the existing decor of your area.

Wine cabinets are built and designed to function like a wine cellar because they have refrigeration units which maintain the ideal wine storage temperature and humidity level.

In choosing a wine storage solution, it is best to consider factors such as location, budget, and the size of your collection to keep your wines safe from external factors such as direct light, heat, and vibration.

If you are looking for a reliable wine cellar refrigeration system for your wine cellar, contact US Cellar Systems at (562) 513-3017 or click here to learn more about products they offer.

 

Decanting and Aerating Wine

The two terms are usually used interchangeably, but they are very much different. Let us first define the two terms before discussing further. Decanting is transferring the contents of a wine bottle into another container called a decanter before the wine is served. On the other hand, aerating is to let the wine bottle breathe by exposing it to air.

These two methods are done to maximize enjoyment of wine. There are ways on how to properly aerate and decant wines.

Wine Aeration Softens Tannins in Wine

Aeration is usually needed by young wines. It is done to soften tannins in wine and to make it more balanced and smooth. It also lessens the carbon dioxide level of young wines.

One way to aerate a wine faster is through the use of an electronic aerator. This electronic aerator is a battery operated steel rod that is placed inside the wine bottle which will stir the wine in the bottle, making it mix with air. If you do not own any wine aerating device at home, you can simply maximize the wine pouring distance from the bottle to the glass and this will aid in aerating your wine.

What are the benefits of aerating wines? Aerating wines can get rid of “bottle stink”. Bottle stink is the odor that is evident when a bottle of wine is opened but evaporates easily once it has been aired.

The age of wine will determine how long it should be aerated. An old wine with the age of more than 15 years should not be aerated for more than a minute, while a full bodied and complex red wine should be aerated for about an hour. Young, tannic red wine should be aerated for about 2 hours.

Decanting Separates Wine from its Sediments

Decanting is done to separate wine from its sediments. By the act of transferring the liquid to a decanter, wine is agitated and mixes with oxygen, developing and bringing wine to life. This is why decanting is best for young wines.

Decanting an old wine and a young wine varies. In decanting older wines, a lot of care and flair is required. An old wine does not need any artificial boost thus you have to decant it before serving and before it changes.

Meanwhile, you can decant a young wine by pouring it in a decanter and letting it sit for about 20 minutes before serving it. You may observe that the wine tastes better after decanting. Both red and white wine can be placed in a decanter if you feel that it is necessary to do so.

Remember that wine damage is caused by unstable temperatures and humidity. These factors may cause your wines to lose their vibrant aroma. This is why maintaining proper wine storage conditions and decanting and aerating wine are essential in maximum enjoyment of wine. When you master these, you will surely impress guests during wine tasting parties in your wine cellar.

Wine Cellar Cooling & Proper Wine Storage Conditions after Wine Production

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Vitis Vinifera - Wine Making and Wine Storage

Vitis Vinifera – Wine Making and Wine Storage

The production of wine begins with the harvesting of grapes.  The grape variety used in making wine is the species Vitis vinifera.  Once gathered, the grapes go through a ‘destemming’ process that removes them from the rachis.  This is followed by crushing, wherein pressure is applied to squeeze grapes into mush (wine must).  The next stage is fermentation.

Fermentation is the process wherein yeast consumes sugar and turns it into alcohol.  Wine fermentation has two stages:  primary and secondary.  During primary fermentation, the fermentation tank is exposed to air for three to five days.  Exposure to open air encourages yeast cell reproduction.  During secondary fermentation, air exposure is reduced.  At this stage, yeast stops multiplying and begins to produce alcohol.

Wine Storage in Oak Wine Barrels

Wine Storage in Oak Wine Barrels

After fermentation, the wine is transferred to another container in order to separate it from residual yeast and other sediments.  Wine is then drained into oak barrels, concrete or metal vats, or carboys for further aging and enhancement of flavor.  Wine needs to be aged for the right amount of time before bottling.  White wines should be aged at least half a year and red wines for at least a year.

Wines that are newly bottled should be allowed to sit upright for three days.  After three days, wine bottles are laid on their side to allow the cork to come in contact with the wine.  Newly bottled wine should be aged for a few months more before consumption, as this will give it time to improve and attain its full potential.

After the production process, wines are sold and distributed to various wine merchants.  Although wines get better over time, they can easily deteriorate as well.  In order to maintain their quality, wines should be stored in an environment wherein there is minimal to no fluctuation.  There are five factors to consider regarding proper wine storage:  temperature, humidity, light, vibration and odor.

Temperature and humidity can be constantly maintained at their ideal range with the help of wine cellar cooling systems. The ideal wine storage temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the right amount of humidity is within a 60% – 75% range.

If the level of temperature is unstable, it can hasten the aging process and ruin the quality of wines.  Humidity is essential to wine storage, but it needs to be regulated because it can cause mold growth or dry out the corks when left to its own accord.

Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems for Custom Wine Cellars

Wine Cellar Refrigeration

The purpose of wine cellar refrigeration systems is to provide balance and stability in wine storage rooms.  Most wine cellars are installed with wine cellar cooling units, to help regulate temperature and humidity levels inside the storage space.  In addition to wine cellar refrigeration systems, wine cellars are also designed with proper insulation and vapor barriers to help maintain the required climate conditions for aging wines.

Continuous light exposure can also be damaging to wines.  Hence, wine cellars need to have just the right amount of light in order to find the appropriate wine bottle, to move about the room, and to view wine labels.  Installing additional features like dimmer switches and light timers can help reduce exposure of wine bottles to light sources as well.

The storage environment should be free of unsavory smells, and secured against vibration.  Odor and vibratory motion can negatively impact the chemistry of wines.

Keep in mind that storing bottled wines is as meticulous as the wine making process.  When the proper methods of wine storage are applied, the preservation of the finer qualities of wine should last for a long time.

Visit US Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems to check out the effective wine storage equipment they offer.

Basic Types of Wine and Their Required Wine Storage Temperature

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Wines, Grapes and Wine Storage

Wines are produced by converting grape juice into alcohol through the process of fermentation.  Yeast strains are responsible for turning sugars in grapes into alcohol and carbon dioxide.  Wines are usually made with grapes from the Vitis Vinifera grape genus varieties.  Different grape varieties and yeast strains can yield different types of wine.

There are over a hundred varieties of wines, but they can all be classified into five types:  red, white, rosé, sparkling, and fortified wines.  Each type has its own unique characteristics, and requires different wine storage temperatures.

 

Wine Storage Temperature for Red Wines

Red wine is an alcoholic beverage made from black grapes.  Its distinctive red and deep purplish color comes from grape skins which are included during the fermentation process.  The color of red wine may vary depending on the grape variety and the way it is fermented.  The ideal temperature range for storing red wines is 50 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Red Wines – Proper Wine Storage

 

Common types of red wine are Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel.  The flavor characteristics of red wine improve

further when allowed to aerate before serving.  They are best served below room temperature or between 60 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Wine Storage Temperature for White Wines

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White Wines – Proper Wine Storage

White wines are made from black-colored or green-colored grapes.  When red grapes are used, the skins are removed before fermentation in order to keep the clear white color.  They are best paired with white meat, such as fish and poultry.

 

The optimal wine storage temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit.  Some well-known types of white wine are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Petite Arvine.

Wine Storage Temperature for Rose Wines

Rose Wines - Wine Cellar Refrigeration

Rose Wines – Wine Cellar Refrigeration

Rosé wines have a pink color, derived through the skin contact method, wherein grape skins are allowed to come in contact with the juice for a

very short period before being discarded.  This type of wine can also be produced by combining red and white wines.  The temperature range for Rosé wine storage is between 45 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Wine Storage Temperature for Sparkling Wines

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Sparkling Wines – Proper Wine Storage

Sparkling wines have a bubbly and fizzy texture produced by significant amounts of carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is usually produced

during the process of actually making the wine.  A very popular type of sparkling wine is Champagne, from the Champagne region of France.

 

The sweetness level of sparkling wines can be described as brut (dry) or doux (a term used to denote the very sweetest of Champagnes).  The required storage temperature for sparkling wines is between 43 – 47 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

Wine Storage Environment for Fortified Wines

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Fortified Wines

Fortified wines are also known as dessert wines.  They are produced by adding a distilled beverage or spirit during fermentation.  Fortified wines are quite sweet which is why they are best paired with dessert.  Unlike other wines, they do not require storage in a controlled environment.  Port, Sherry, and Madeira are some of the most popular types of fortified wines.

 

Proper wine storage is important in maintaining the taste and flavor of wines.  The right storage environment should have minimum temperature fluctuations and the right level of humidity.  Installing a wine cellar cooling unit inside the wine storage room will help maintain the desired climate conditions.

 

Regardless of the types of wine you have in your collection, wine cellar refrigeration systems will make sure that the temperature range stays at 50 – 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity levels remain within 50% – 60%.  A climate controlled environment is integral to preserving the quality of your wine collection over time.

 

To view the various types of wine cellar refrigeration systems that you can use for your wine storage room, click on these links: