Before you design and create your own wine cellar in your property, it is a good idea to get as much information as possible about this type of project. For example, you need to know how many bottles of wine you are going to store, which cooling units are more suitable for you and so on. When you have done your homework and research, you will be able to make a better decision and be satisfied with it for the rest of your life. Here are a couple of answers to your questions related to wine cellar design.
What are the best temperatures for storing wines of all types?
Each and every wine type needs to be stored at a certain temperature in order to preserve its taste and aroma for as long as possible. For example, champagne and sparkling wine should be stored at a temperature between 43 and 47 degrees Fahrenheit. White wines including rose, dry and blush should be stored at a temperature between 46 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Light or airy red wine should be stored at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, rich red wine should be stored at temperatures between 59 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit.
What I need to do before installing a wine cellar cooling unit?
The room where the wine bottles in your collection will be preserved needs to be prepared and properly insulated before you add a wine cellar cooling unit. If you don’t insulate your wine cellar adequately, the cooling unit will not preserve your wine bottles at the right temperature and they won’t be efficient at all.
Therefore, you must cover the interior walls of your wine cellar with R-11 minimum insulation as well as the exterior walls with R-19 minimum insulation. Secondly, the walls in the wine cellar should feature a vapor barrier that is made of polyethylene plastic sheeting. Lastly, the floor also needs a vapor barrier. For example, concrete floors need to feature a vapor barrier with a concrete sealant while other types of floors require a vapor barrier and R-19 insulation to protect them against condensation and other factors that might damage the quality of wine.
How fast the cooling unit adjusts the temperature in by wine cellar?
Cooling units suitable for wine cellars are very different from the cooling units we use for other rooms in the house. They tend to increase or decrease the temperature and humidity levels in the wine cellar in a gentler manner in order to protect your wine collection. Basically, a sudden increase in temperature might shock the wine and alter its quality with the passing of time.
Is the air quality important in the wine cellar?
Yes. Keep in mind that wines tend to breathe through the cork over the years and if the air quality inside the wine cellar is bad then the taste of the wine will be affected as well as its aroma and flavor. To prevent this, you must make sure that the air in the wine cellar is free of pollutants, allergens, microbes, bacteria and other impurities, otherwise these items will get into your wine bottles, affecting their quality. Make sure that you frequently remove dust, dirt and other debris from your wine cellar and you keep this room well ventilated all the times.
What should I do if I don’t afford a wine cellar cooling unit?
Cooling units are not that expensive these days, but if you cannot afford one at the moment then you can do other things in order to protect your precious wine collection. For example, you shouldn’t store your wine bottles in cardboard of all types because this material tends to rot easily and quickly. Also, you can coat the labels on the wine bottles with a special scentless hair satin finish which will preserve them in a good condition in the long run. As a result, different humidity and temperature conditions won’t damage the labels and make them hard to read. Lastly, you can also install a dehumidifier in the room in order to control the thickness of the air.
What are the different types of wine cellar cooling units?
Cooling units are quite different one from the other and some of them might not be completely suitable for your type of wine cellar. For example, through-wall cooling units tend to absorb the heat in the wine cellar and release it into the room next to it. Therefore, the room which receives this heat should be properly ventilated. On the other hand, a ducted system is one of the best and most efficient for all wine cellars. It can be placed through the walls of the wine cellar or installed remotely and it features ducts that allow controlling the temperature and humidity levels in the room where you store your wine bottles.
If you have more questions related to wine cellar cooling units, give us a call and we will gladly provide professional assistance!
