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One of America’s great pastimes is the enjoyment of a nice glass of wine. Whether your enjoying a bold cabernet Sauvignon with your filet mignon or relaxing with a chardonnay on the sofa, wine offers us a way to reward ourselves. With many varieties of wine produced by literally thousands of wineries throughout the world, the search for the right wines that meet your particular palette is a fun and enjoyable adventure. The wine country of Napa and Sonoma counties is the second largest tourist attraction in California. Wine connoisseurs methodically explore their favorite wineries while finding some new boutique ones as well, collecting with anticipation the perfect addition to festive occasions with family and friends.
Upon returning home, the question becomes: where is the best place to store my wines until the appropriate occasion arises for its enjoyment? The proper storage of wine is critical to its preservation. Wine stored in a dark, cool environment without significant temperature variations will generally mature in a favorable manner, which enhances the flavors and aromas of the wine. However wines left out without special consideration will mature rapidly and may become damaged by light, temperature variations and oxidation. Have you ever pulled a cork with friends just to find the wine to be questionable? Not a good experience.
The Process of aging wines can greatly enhance the quality of the wine based on a number of characteristics of the wine itself. Tannins, acidity and fruitiness are the fundamental aspects that give wines their complex taste and aromas. A proper balance of these three fundamentals can define the difference between a good bottle of wine drinkable now and a potentially great bottle of wine, which needs time to mature. Tannins come from the grape skins, stems and oak barrels. They are best described as the essence that holds a full-bodied wine together. They are noted mostly as tasted around the edges of the fruit and is the sharp biting sensation on the tongue in the after taste. Acidity is needed to keep the wine fresh tasting and fruity. The fruit of course is the most enjoyable aspect of the wine in which many different flavors and aromas offer the palette the enjoyment each individual develops their own preference for. The process of aging wine will mellow tannins while keeping the fruitiness intact resulting in a more complex and enjoyable drinking experience.
Once wine connoisseurs at any level find their ideal wines, collecting and preserving the special vintages is important. The quality of vintages changes from year to year based on the particulars of the weather for that specific growing season. While a winery may produce high quality wine year after year, each vintage will be slightly different. Therefore if you discover a particular wine, which meets your ideal expectations, you may consider purchasing a case or two for future consumption.
There are two important characteristics of proper wine storage. The first is to keep the wine at a cool, consistent temperature. Experts agree that keeping wine stored at 55-60 degrees offers the best opportunity for the maturation process to develop at an ideal rate. In addition, the proper humidity level (between 50-70%) is also important in order to keep corks moist and in good shape. If the humidity level is too high, corks may rot and ruin the wine. If corks become too dry, they will shrink and allow oxygen to enter the bottle, which will oxidize the wine and turn it to vinegar.
Many connoisseurs make the investment in proper wine storage by purchasing cabinets specially designed to maintain accurate, consistent temperatures while providing the correct humidity levels. From simple garage units to elegant dining room armoires, these cabinets come in a large variety of sizes and aesthetic options to meet each wine collectors individual budget and storage needs. Vinothèque Wine Cellars offers custom made, handcrafted wine storage cabinets specifically designed for proper long-term wine storage.
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| Miner Vineyard Wines |
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 "The importance of storing fine wines in a climate- controlled
environment simply can not be overlooked. The color,
aromas, and flavors of a wine will be best preserved
if protected from extreme and fluctuating temperatures.
Only by investing in quality cellaring and proper storage,
and thus creating ideal aging conditions, will wines
realize their full potential."
Gary Broookman, Winemaker
Miner Family Wines
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| Chateau Montelena |
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 "Our
Chateau's thick stone walls and design make an excellent
environment for making and cellaring wines. The cellar
stays cool and dark year round. These conditions are
the opposite of what most people look for in a comfortable
home. So a top quality wine storage system is essential
to preserve your special bottles and to ensure that
you experience everything your wines have to offer."
Bo Barrett, Winemaker
Chateau Montelena Winery
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| Clos Pegase |
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 "In addition to our highly acclaimed vineyards, the Clos
Pegase Winery is home to over 20,000 square feet of
functional caves. The caves keep our estate wines at
an ideal aging temperature, essential for proper development
of wine. Vinothèque cabinets provide this same
essence and quality of wine storage, but in a convenient,
functional and elegant storage solution for your home."
Jan Shrem, Founder & Proprietor
Close Pegase Winery |
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| Bacio Divino |
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 "In a wine's journey from the vineyard to your palate, proper wine storage is as important to quality as any other step in the winemaking process."
Claus Janzen, Owner / Winemaker
Bacio Divino |
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| Flora Springs |
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 "Fluctuation in temperature is the biggest enemy for wine during aging. Constant temperature in storing wine after it is bottled as it is in barrels in the winery. In aging wines, tannins and acid lessen in intensity. Well aged, properly stored wines exhibit softer, more accessible flavors. "
Ken Deis, Winemaker
Flora Springs |
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