Whether enjoying a few glasses with some friends or sipping on a vintage alongside a well-made dinner, wine is a wonderful thing. If wine is your passion, you want to protect it, and a glass wine cellar is the perfect way to do just that. A carefully installed and well-maintained wine cellar is an effective yet stylish way to ensure that your wine retains its flavor for years on end. Because wine can be a little fickle, it’s important to consult a professional and consider a few things before putting one up.
Where is the best place to put it?
One of wine’s main enemies is direct sunlight. Sunlight will heat up the wine, causing it to lose some of its rich flavor. A basement tends to be the best place to install a wine cellar because it typically doesn’t let in much natural light. This may not an option for everyone, though, and it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. If your basement is not an option, install your cellar in a room without direct sunlight. If possible, ensure that the room has thick walls and good insulation.
What glass offers the most protection?
The best kind of glass for your cellar is tempered, double pane. While a single pane might be the cheaper option, it won’t be nearly as durable. More importantly, double pane glass will offer a higher R-factor. This essentially measures glass’s ability to resist heat, keeping the items inside protected. Double pane will offer a more insulated room that won’t allow moisture and humidity to creep in. You will also want to ensure that the glass is UV-coated to keep out any harmful rays.
How can you maintain the best environment for your wine?
The ability to regulate the temperature and moisture levels in your cellar is crucial. Ideally, you need to be able to keep your wine between 55º and 58º. If it goes over or under this range by too much, it will age faster, causing it to quickly lose its flavor and body.
Similarly, humidity can ruin a good bottle of wine in more than one way. The humidity of your cellar should be between 55%-75%. Too much can cause spoilage in the bottle, ruining the taste. It can also break the cork, which at best will cause a headache and at worst will compromise the quality. To keep your cellar at the perfect humidity, invest in a dehumidifier that will measure the moisture in the air.
What is the best light to install?
The most important thing in choosing a light for your cellar is avoiding UV bulbs. Ultraviolet rays can cause a chemical reaction in your wine that will result in an unpleasant, sour taste. You will likely still want to install a light so you can read labels without straining your eyes. Consider putting in recessed lighting or thermally-infused lights to brighten up the area without damaging your bottles.
St. Louis Glass Works is full of professionals who are as passionate about glass insulation as you are about wine. We’ll equip your space with a stylish, durable glass wine cellar that will protect your collection and ensure it ages with grace and flavor! If you want to know more about installing a wine cellar or need a quote to start the process, call us today!