How to build your own wine room

When it comes to storing those prized bottles of Barbaresco or Château Ausone and entertaining at home, the practical and aesthetic advantages of having a wine room or cellar to store wine come into their own. Undeniable beauty and allure attract many a connoisseur to owning their very own wine room, but perfecting a wine room or cellar requires a great deal of control and planning to keep flavours at their best.

Consider Humidity, Temperature & UV Exposure

Wine is a delicate and magnificent substance that requires a great deal of care and attention to maintain its best. The subtle flavours and aromas of each prized bottle can only tolerate temperature and humidity changes within a narrow window. Going above or below the optimum storage is likely to age and spoil the artfully balanced vinum. So when it comes to storing wine correctly, it’s essential to first consider the 3 rules of storage.

Humidity – One of the most important reasons for maintaining the correct humidity is to ensure that the cork remains in excellent condition. Storing wine on its side and ensuring that the cork is covered from the inside will keep it safe from deterioration within the bottle. Keeping a high degree of humidity within the wine room or cellar is also critical, the ideal level of humidity is thought to be 57%, with a maximum of 70%, and a minimum of 50%. Any higher and the cork could develop mould, any lower and the outside area of cork will dry out and shrink. Which could lead to oxidisation.

Temperature – The accepted industry sweet spot is 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees f). With a margin for fluctuation of around 3 degrees on either side. An increase in temperature will increase the rate of chemical reactions within the bottle. Meaning that your wine will age too quickly and spoil. If the conditions are too cool the chemical reactions slow, and your wine will age at a slower pace. It is also important to ensure proper climate control, if temperatures move up and down too often the cork sealing will expand and contract, leading to oxygen entering the bottle.

Light Exposure – UV light can cause the wine to age prematurely. It is known as ‘Light Strike’ and occurs when the UV rays from sunlight excite the riboflavin (B2) and Pantothenic Acid (B5) and react with the amino acids. Having spent a large portion of their journey fermenting in dark vessels whether a wood barrel or clay amphorae, once bottled the delicate flavours need protecting from light for the remainder of their life. In clear glass bottles just 3 hours of sun exposure can destroy the taste, and 18 hours in green bottles.

Creating the optimal conditions to store wine

A great wine room or cellar is all about creating a controlled environment, but that doesn’t stop them from creating an extraordinary sight. As each bottle of vino needs to be stored in a dark room, lying down with the cork fully covered, this incidentally is one of the features that also allures novice and savant to the aesthetic of a wine room or cellar.

The dark and enchanting wine room, hidden behind a glazed door creates a drama and mystery like no other. Paired with the warm glow of theatrical lighting reveals a thing of immense beauty and awe. They are a great way to artfully display your spectacular collections. These contemporary rooms can be installed into existing spaces within your home and Both beautiful and practical – the room requires full insulation and a humidifier to maintain the correct conditions. Tucked away behind a strong exterior-grade timber door that has been double glazed will help to maintain temperature and humidity. Choosing a timber door that uses material like our Accoya, will ensure that the wood will not warp, swell or crack in the humidity.

The wine cellar is more of a traditional approach and suited to those with basements or space below their property. Usually built from concrete beneath the ground floor these storage rooms can be completely hidden or made into a focal point from the room above. Providing a unique perspective to the glistening glass bottles below. The use of glazed panes with a low U-Value, as seen here in this wine cellar by Spiral Cellars, will work to keep your cellar cool and efficient.