Where to Store your Cabernet & Chianti? In the Card Catalog, of Course!
After viewing so many great wine cellars here at Houzz, I decided to read up a bit on what type of environment is best suited for the storage of wine. I was fascinated by what I found. It seems in recent years, it has become more and more popular to collect wine. As one begins to acquire more wine, especially rarer or older, vintage wines, it’s the natural progression to seek out better ways to store it in order to preserve its quality and flavor.
As you may have guessed, I learned the ideal environment in which to keep wine, is…you guessed it, a wine cellar, and preferably one that is located on the terrace or basement level where there’s a relatively stable environment, little fluctuation in temperature and humidity and virtually no movement.
Is a full out-and-out wine cellar just not in the old budget? No need to worry. While drooling over the gorgeous kitchens shown here at Houzz, I found lots of wonderful and very affordable wine storage options. Grab that glass of wine and come along for the tour!
As you may have guessed, I learned the ideal environment in which to keep wine, is…you guessed it, a wine cellar, and preferably one that is located on the terrace or basement level where there’s a relatively stable environment, little fluctuation in temperature and humidity and virtually no movement.
Is a full out-and-out wine cellar just not in the old budget? No need to worry. While drooling over the gorgeous kitchens shown here at Houzz, I found lots of wonderful and very affordable wine storage options. Grab that glass of wine and come along for the tour!
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I have to share my favorite storage idea right off the bat. Is this not ingenious??? It must be the old librarian in me. Remember the days before the internet...if you wanted to find the answer to something, you had to get in your car, drive down to the library and look up the information in a book. But before you could find the book, you usually had to consult the "card catalog." The cards were always filed according to title, author or subject. Well, in this card catalog, the subject is always, WINE. What a wonderful new use for all those now obsolete card catalogs. I love that the drawers could even be labeled with the names and dates of the wine stored inside.
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A lovely bar area like this is always a convenient idea. If we opened up the doors, do you think we'd find bottles of vintage wines, all stored on their sides? It turns out, that's the ideal way to store all of your wine. It keeps the cork moist which ensures a good, tight seal, which in turn, preserves the flavor of the wine.
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While we are on our search for economical ways to store wine, it doesn't get much simpler than this. A few holes drilled out in just the right size and you're all set.
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You could even mount this type of storage unit right on the wall.
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| If you normally only keep a few bottles of wine on hand, here's a great idea. Do you see the wine storage in this kitchen? I believe I see room for 10 bottles. The cabinet in the center would be great for holding a nice opener like we saw on Kim's cute bar area above? Private Comment
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Looking for an environment that's a bit more stable for your wine, but don't want to spend your whole paycheck? A small wine refrigerator will do the job nicely, and they are much more affordable than you might think.
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Smaller wine coolers that hold approximately 12 bottles of wine, start in the $120 range. I had no idea they were so affordable! One thing to keep in mind when designing or renovating a kitchen that will include a wine refrigerator, it's best to buy a wine cooler that is vented in the front. If it's not vented in the front, you will need to design the space leaving several inches all the way around the unit to allow for air circulation.
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| Larger wine coolers that can hold 35+ bottles start around the $350+ range. They run a bit more if designed with separate cooling zones for different types of wine. White wine is best stored between 45ºF- 50ºF, while red wine is best kept at 52ºF - 65ºF. Private Comment
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| How about a storage unit that's mobile? You could wheel this unit to wherever it might be needed...even right out onto the patio when dining alfresco. Private Comment
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Even kitchens designed with a sleeker, modern vibe can beautifully house your collection of wine.
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| If your collection of wine is rather extensive, but doesn't require the need of a wine cooler, here's a great idea for storage. What a great way to take advantage of an area that is normally just wasted space. Private Comment
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| If you have a fairly large collection of white wines or sparkling wines, which happen to be the most vulnerable to change when exposed to light and heat, consider building several coolers into a large island. Private Comment
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And when the wine is all gone, don't throw those bottles away. They will serve beautifully as candleholders in the center of your tablescape! :-)
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Comments
katez says:
Beautiful clear wine bottles with candles! I'll never re-cycle a clear bottle again.
2 years ago ·
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moderngirl says:
Great info Susan! My favorite is the one by Audrey Matlock- love the fact that it's mobile!
Also, check out this one: http://www.houzz.com/photos/36895/Fulcrum-Structural-Engineering-modern-wine-cellar-
Also, check out this one: http://www.houzz.com/photos/36895/Fulcrum-Structural-Engineering-modern-wine-cellar-
2 years ago ·
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gloriav says:
Great job, Susan -- What a lot of work you did for this piece! I, too, like the other commentor, love the photo of the clear bottles and candles -- gorgeous look!
Best regards,
Gloria
Best regards,
Gloria
2 years ago ·
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Karen Schaefer Louw says:
another great idea is to use terracotta pipes (cut to size). They are great, as they are inexprnsive, and keep the wine at the perfect temperature...
2 years ago ·
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Thanks, Gloria! I know...I'm in love with those clear bottles!!!
Modern Girl...I'll check that link out...thanks! :-)
Modern Girl...I'll check that link out...thanks! :-)
2 years ago ·
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Karen, thanks so much for sharing this info. I had seen those and was wondering how it was constructed! Great idea!
2 years ago ·
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kathleen_f says:
Great ideabook. Going to try the wine bottles with candles this weekend...Thanks!
2 years ago ·
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Don't you wish you needed several coolers? I like Karen's idea with the terra cotta pipes and the cool tags. Saves you from pulling each one out, while looking for a certain one.
2 years ago ·
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