7 Things you May Not Know about Wine Rack Kits

7 Things you May Not Know about Wine Rack Kits

Wine Racks from Rosehill

With wine rack kits, you can affordably set up wine storage for your collection.

Wine rack kits are affordable, high-quality options for setting up home storage for your wine collection. Any true wine lover will set up proper wine storage space, creating the option to buy in bulk and take advantage of other opportunities to cut the cost of wine purchases. Horizontal wine racks provide optimal storage because they prevent sediment from collecting at the bottom of the bottle, ensure that the cork stays moist, and more. The following are some things you may not know about wine rack kits.

1-Many Modules can be Cut to a Custom Fit

Kits can be adaptable to your wine storage needs. Some modules can be easily cut to allow for customization. Many Premier Cru wood wine rack kits, for instance, offer construction of the highest quality plus the option to customize.

2-Mix and Match Modules

Wooden wine rack kits have angle displays, thickness, and depth that allow for mixing and matching, to build the personalized wine cellar you dream of.

3-Trim is Often Included

Crown and base trim is often included, such as Premier Cru kits that can be ordered from Rosehill Wine Cellars. The trim is shipped in long lengths so that the cleanest look can be achieved upon installation. Shorter lengths can be cut, if preferred; simply ask when ordering. Side returns are provided for two ends. Also, extra trim can be ordered, if desired.

4-There are Options of the type of Wood for Kits

There are different types of wood you can choose from for your wooden wine rack kits.  In the moderate price range are kits made with Beech, Toasted Maple, and Sapele, which is African Mahogany.  Custom racking is available in virtually any desired wood type; Walnut and Cherry are very popular.

5-Curved Wine Rack Kits are Available

The options in wooden wine rack kits include curved racks that allow you to use corner space efficiently.

6-They are Good Investments

You can store a lot more wine with wine racks than in the same amount of space without racking made from kits. Another reason kits are good investments is that no matter the age of your wine, there is benefit to storing it properly.

7-Rosehill Wine Cellars has an Excellent Design Resource for Wine Racks made with Kits

Rosehill Wine Cellars offers detailed tips for designing and creating your own wine cellar and adding shelving as desired using wine rack kits. Click here to go to the link.

Check out the wine racking gallery at Rosehill Wine Cellars. Many show wine storage constructed with wine rack kits.

The Wine Storage-Cork Connection

The Wine Storage-Cork Connection

Wine racks for proper wine storage and wet corks-- from Rosehill Wine Cellars.

A fundamental of wine storage is placing wine on horizontal racks, to protect the cork. (Photo: Wine Racks from Rosehill Wine Cellars)

Wine storage is widely known to be best in cellar-like conditions, but far fewer wine drinkers understand the importance of the cork. The idea behind creating a wine cellar is to provide the perfect environment for wine to be stored so that it ages properly. For storage of a year or more, natural cork in a wine bottle is a crucial component in the process of wine maturation. The fact that most wine racks are built to store wine horizontally has to do with the cork, but that’s not all. The cork takes the spotlight in wine cellars in several ways.

Horizontal wine racks

For a cork to perform the way it is meant to, it must stay wet by maintaining contact with the wine. Horizontal wine racks are ideal because they keep the cork wet. If the cork does not stay wet, the result will be that the cork dries out, shrinks, and allows oxygen to get to the wine. This results in oxidation. Oxidized wine turns into vinegar, totally spoiling the anticipated flavor and enjoyment of the wine.

Constant Wine Storage Temperature

An essential part of wine storage is maintaining a constant temperature that rarely fluctuates. When there are swings in temperature, the wine will continuously expand and contract, which ultimately damages the cork’s integrity. As the cork is pulled in and out by the effects of changing temperatures, eventually, wine can seep along the outer edge of the cork, between the bottle neck and the cork. This allows air in, which is another way wine becomes oxidized. Due to the importance of maintaining a constant temperature, wine cellars are best built by professionals who understand how to properly insulate a wine cellar and how to choose a wine cellar cooling unit of the correct size for the space.

Clean Environment

Another fundamental aspect of proper wine storage is keeping the environment clean and free of foodstuffs and other items that introduce strong smells. Odors can permeate corks and contaminate the wine. Don’t store bleach or foods such as cheeses in your wine cellar, since they can ruin the wine through the cork. If mice and insects are drawn to the cellar because of the presence of food, they also tend to chew corks and gnaw on wine labels.

Experts in Wine Storage

The professional builders at Rosehill Wine Cellars know all the details of proper wine storage, including the significance of wine corks. There is an undeniable connection between wine storage and corks, just as proper wine storage is linked to enjoying the taste of fine bottles of wine.

4 Benefits of Adding Large Format Wine Storage to your Wine Cellar 

4 Benefits of Adding Large Format Wine Storage to your Wine Cellar 

Ancaster Cellar with large format wine storage.

Custom wine racks from Rosehill Wine Cellars can include large format wine storage. (Photo: Rosehill Wine Cellars)

Large format wine bottles offer notable benefits over standard 750mL bottles, making large format wine storage important. The standard size, equal to about six glasses of wine, is by far and away the most commonly distributed wine. Perhaps surprisingly, the standard wine bottle is only one of at least 17 available sizes—3 being smaller than standard and the rest larger. Many wine collectors recognize that large format bottles of wine offer coveted benefits. Sizeable bottles, however, don’t fit on standard wine racks. With a custom wine cellar, you can choose wine racking that accommodates bottles of all sizes. The decision to make special wine storage considerations is duck soup for those who invest in large format bottles of wine for any of the following reasons and more.

1-The Wine Tastes Better

For various reasons, wine in large format bottles usually tastes better than wine stored in smaller counterparts. There is less oxygen relative to the volume of wine, for example. As a result, the wine oxidizes more slowly, resulting in a longer aging period and improved maturation. Overall wine stability and aroma are among the characteristics of the wine that are improved when properly stored in a large format bottle. The wine should be maintained in ideal cellar conditions, which can largely be achieved with a wine cellar cooling unit from a top manufacturer, such as WhisperKOOL, Koolspace, or Wine Guardian. Large format bottles are also more resistant to irregularities in temperature that may be caused by moving the wine to a different wine cellar or by power outages.

2-Communal Enjoyment

Large bottles of wine provide delightful “wow moments” at large gatherings, including anniversaries and weddings. Everyone gets to share in the experience of drinking from the same bottle containing wine that has aged gracefully and has better maturation than wine in smaller bottles. Bringing out a large format bottle of wine is an upgrade to any event.

3-Rare = Valuable

Small production historically increases wine value. There are usually very few large-format bottles of any vintage that wineries produce. Whether a Magnum bottle with double the standard volume or the massive Melchizedek, equal to 40 standard bottles of wine, large format bottles are rare. They are usually reserved for special occasions, such as a winery’s anniversary; charity auctions; special collectors; winery displays; or private collections, whether for proprietors or their family and friends. Although large format bottles of quality wine tend to be very expensive, they are also sometimes offered at prices friendlier to those less wealthy.

4- Showpieces

The wine in a large format bottle isn’t the only part of the bargain. The wine bottle itself can be considered a real treasure. It’s not unusual to see large bottles of wine on display in fine restaurants and as dinner table centerpieces. There are many craft and décor ideas for large format wine bottles on Pinterest, in which the bottles are used as gorgeous lamps, vases, candle holders, and much more.

Don’t Forget Large Format Wine Storage

Some consider the size of large format wine bottles a downside, due to potential storage challenges. Rosehill Wine Cellars specializes in wine cellar construction and can help with all wine racking needs, from custom wine racking to adaptable wine kits. Rosehill also offers wine cellar cooling units from all of the top manufacturers, such as Koolspace, Wine Guardian, and WhisperKOOL.

Wine Racks 101

Wine Racks 101

A custom wine cabinet by Rosehill Wine Cellars.

Every wine lover with a growing wine collection should become familiar with options in modular wine racks.  Although they can add beauty, class, whimsy, or elegance to your home or wine cellar, first and foremost, wine racks are functional. They can be small or large, metal or wood, and costly or affordable. In our catalog, you can see many different option for custom wine racks.

The Function of a Wine Rack

The primary function of a wine rack is to ensure that your wine is properly stored, to protect peak characteristics. Wine racks keep bottles of wine in the correct orientation, so that the cork stays wet. If the cork is not in contact with the wine inside, it can dry out. A shriveled cork allows too much oxygen into the bottle and results in undesirable oxidation that spoils the flavor of the wine. The following are more functions of wine racks:

·       Wine racks also help to reduce the amount of lighting on the bottles.

·       Proper temperature control for each bottle is easier when they are stored on wine racks.

·       Identifying your bottles can be easier when you organize them in a wine rack. You can hang labels on them or use software to keep up with the location of each bottle in your wine collection.

·       If you enjoy collecting oversized bottles of wine, you can choose wine racks built to accommodate various sizes. The large bottles of wine can serve as a reminder that wine racks must also be sturdy enough to hold the full weight of all bottles placed on it. It’s important to buy wine racks from a reputable source.

Types of Wine Racks

There are many types of wine racks to choose from, with styles available for all types of décor. Classic styles available from Rosehill Wine Cellars include 7-foot and 6.1-foot wood wine racks in Pine, Premium Redwood, or Malaysian Mahogany. These allow for wine to be showcased in angle displays and there are also individual bottle storage spaces in which wine bottles are completely submerged. More examples of options in racks for wine follow:

  • An “Evolution Wine Rack” is a free-standing wine rack with acrylic support panels and steel rods.
  • Designed for commercial and retail use, there are freestanding metal wine racks. For maximum product exposure, greater capacity in limited space, and convenient consumer access, there are Vintage View Island Displays and Point of Purchase commercial wine racks.
  • African Mahogany Wood retail wine racks designed for commercial use feature free-standing wine racks, an island display, and presentation perches.
  • A modern wine rack ideal for home use has a peg system, which displays wine bottles so that they appear to be floating. These are sold with or without backings. This system is often used with back lighting. The boards can include colored aluminum, wood, stainless steel, or acrylic.

Custom Wine Racks

The beauty of custom wine racks in a wine cellar is that you can choose a design that best suits your preferences for collecting wine. Whichever type of wine rack you need for your collection, Rosehill Wine Cellars has you covered.

Recommendations for Wine Racks – Part 2

Recommendations for Wine Racks – Part 2

You know that the type of wine rack you probably want is horizontal, if you read Part 1 of this series. Once you know the angle of the rack you want, you can move on to choosing a wine rack that matches your needs and décor or setting. Whether you are buying custom wine racks for your wine cellar or for use in your home, there are several basic options in the materials used. The primary choices for wine racks are wood and metal.

Wood Wine Racks

Wine cellar construction

The traditional material used for wine racks and wine cellars is wood such as mahogany, pine, or redwood.

The traditional material for wine racks is wood, which is a sophisticated and timeless choice. Of course, custom wine cellars are also typically made of wood, with wine racks to complete the look. The most popular types of wood used for custom wine racks are redwood and mahogany, and they can come with a variety of wood stains. Quality wood wine racks are extremely durable and won’t bend or break. More about specific types of wood for wood wine racks follows:

Redwood Wine Racks

Natural oils in redwood wine racks make this timber species an excellent choice for wine racks because the oils are preservatives that protect wood against mildew and moisture. Unstained redwood is as beautiful as when it is stained. The many color variations provide a way to choose a style that fits with your particular taste.

Pine Wine Racks

The least expensive type of wood for wine racks is pine. Another benefit of pine is that it can be stained to a color that matches just about any type of wood finish. This can assure nice coordination with your other furnishings and upholstery.

Mahogany

Mahogany is a very popular wood to use in the construction of wine racks, wine shelves, rooms, and custom wine cellars. It resists warping, swelling, and moisture decay. To prevent mildew from forming and deterioration caused by temperature fluctuations, mahogany is often stained and lacquer-finished. Mahogany is the wood of choice for many high-end wine storage designs.

Metal Wine Racks and More

Metal wine racks offer a contemporary alternative to wooden wine racks. The possibilities with metal are endless. When buying metal wine racks, be sure there is sturdy construction. Other than that, you have a wide range of choices, from ornate designs to sleek, modern styles. Metal wine racks can potentially add distinct sophistication, style, and/or an artistic touch to your wine storage.

There’s no reason to limit the type of material used to store wine, as long as the structure is sturdy and won’t bend or break, causing harm to your wine collection. You can find glass wine racks, plastic wine racks, and perhaps other materials used for wine storage. It’s all a matter of taste and preference.

More to Come

In the next installment of our series on recommendations for wine racks, learn about types of wine racks. For beautiful custom wine racks, contact Rosehill Wine Cellars. We specialize in custom wine cellars, and they can include many different kinds of wine storage shelving.