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Making A Home for Your Wine
A wine cellar creates a special spot to keep all your favorite wines, ready to enjoy. It’s the perfect way to keep a selection of different wines on hand for any occasion. You can include wines to enjoy right away and bottles that you prefer to age for a while. Keeping a simple wine cellar is easy, and starting one doesn't have to be expensive.
What is a Wine Cellar?
A wine cellar can be started in any cool, dark place that has a consistent temperature. It can be a closet, a pantry or space in your basement. The ideal temperature for a wine cellar is between 55° and 65° F; however, the most important aspect of a wine cellar is that whatever its temperature, it stays constant.
How should I store my wines?
Lay the bottles flat or upside down in their cases so that the cork remains wet and keeps the seal. Do not store wine standing up. Over time, the cork will dry out and let air into the wine, spoiling it.
What wines should I be storing?
Begin by stocking your cellar with the wines that you enjoy. You will want to keep a well-rounded wine cellar that has something for every occasion. We recommend:
- A light wine such as Pinot Gris (white) or Pinot Noir (red), which goes well in a casual setting or with hors d'oeuvres.
- A rich, buttery Chardonnay (white), which is a great partner for seafood, creamy pasta dishes and poultry.
- A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon (red), perfect when you are serving lamb, pork or beef as your main course.
- A Merlot (red), a very versatile wine that can be included for those who prefer red to white no matter the setting.
How long should I age my wine?
It all depends on three different components — the wine consumer, the wine itself, and the cellaring conditions.
The wine consumer: Each person has their own opinion of what is good. All wines change with age, and there is no perfect moment for a wine. What you like determines when you should enjoy the wine.
To give you an idea of flavor characteristics based on aging:
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Preferred Flavor |
When to Serve |
| “Young Whites” |
Green apple, tropical, oak, butter, flowers, citrus, etc. |
1-3 Years after vintage |
| “Older Whites” |
Carmel, toffee, petrol, vanilla, nutty mushroom, earthy |
4+ years after vintage |
| “Young Reds” |
Fresh berries, cherries, oak, vanilla, plum, flowers, etc. |
1-5 Years after vintage |
| “Older Reds” |
Cedar, Cigar box, earth, mushrooms, dried fruit, jam, etc. |
6+ Years after vintage |
The wine itself: Wines age differently due to nature’s preservatives, called antioxidants, such as acid, sugar, salt and alcohol.
The cellaring: Different storage conditions affect the aging process of a wine.
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