Wine cabinets are great options for collectors who do not have the right budget and/or space for a wine cellar. They can keep your wines at the right temperature and humidity levels. You just have to make sure that your wine cabinet is manufactured by a trusted wine storage specialist. Know the advantages of wine cabinets and learn some tips in choosing the right storage unit for you.
The Benefits of Using a Wine Cabinet to Store Your Collection
Wine Cabinet with Built-In Wine Cooling Unit
Wine cabinets have been a popular choice for residential and commercial spaces. Units with built-in cooling system function like climate-controlled wine cellars. This means that you don’t need to spend on the construction of a full wine cellar to protect your wines from the damaging environmental factors.
They are also equipped with functional features, affordable, sophisticated, and space-efficient, making them ideal storage options for limited spaces, small collections, and tight budgets.
Wine Cellar Specialists, a wine storage expert in Texas, offers quality and efficient refrigerated wine cabinets. You may opt for a freestanding, countertop, or built-in unit. Their wine cabinets are manufactured by Le Cache, Climadiff, and Vinotheque. They can help you choose the most suitable style of wine cabinet depending on your needs.
Things to Look for When Choosing a Wine Cabinet for Your Home or Business.
Refrigerated Wine Cabinet by Wine Cellar Specialists Texas
These are just a few.
How many bottles do you want to store? Make sure the wine cabinet is big enough not only for the bottles you currently have but for twice that amount… as your collection will grow once you have proper wine storage.
Be sure that the niche size for the bottles in the cooler is large enough. Some coolers out there only allow room for an average size of 750 bottles. If you have Pinots or larger odd-shaped bottles, they may not fit. You want at least 3 3/4″ of space.
Be sure you research the quality of the manufacturer. Make sure that you are purchasing a unit that will last.
Depending on where you plan to place the cooler… you may want one with both cooling and heating capabilities.
Look not only at function but style. Do you want a furniture look or something more refrigerator looking?
Look at the warranty. Some manufacturers will pay for parts and labor for a specific period of time. Others only parts. Some will require them in house service people make all recommendations for service under their warranties. Others pay for in-house service through a network of technicians. Warranty time frames also vary.
Do you want metal or wood wine racks? Do you want individual niches or shelves? Do you want them stationary or rolling? This is a matter of personal choice and look.
Credenza Wine Cabinets by Le Cache
Are you planning on placing this in an open space or in a niche? How high are your ceilings? These things will determine if you can go with a rear venting unit, a top venting unit, or a front venting unit.
Do you want a single temperature unit for storage or a multi-temperature unit for storage and drinking temps?
Do you want a unit with a built-in wine cooling system or a self-contained system? There are pros and cons to each.
What is your price range? It is always better to spend a little more to get a quality unit than to go cheap and be disappointed when the unit is poor quality and does not last. Wine cabinets can range from $500-600 for a small inexpensive unit to $10,000-$12,000 or more for a large deluxe furniture model.
For additional help in choosing the best wine cabinet for you, call us at
Wine will not last long if stored in poor conditions. It needs to be kept in an environment where temperature and humidity are regulated. Which is why it is important that you invest in a Texas wine cellar installed with the right components. This will make wine collecting more enjoyable. In this article, you will learn how the ideal storage conditions will help wine mature properly in your Texas home wine cellar.
Vital Components in Wine Cellar Construction
Proper Wine Cellar Insulation Must be Installed by a Specialist
As you probably know, the cooling unit you put in place in your Texas home wine cellar will help to determine how your wine will be when you decide to open and drink it.
Getting Expert Opinion on Wine Cellar Storage Conditions
Before your begin your installation project, consult with a Wine Cellar Specialist to determine the exact cooling unit that will be best for your circumstance and have them do a heat load calculation.
Heat Load Calculations Give Most Accurate Account of Size of Cooling Unit Needed for Proper Conditions.
You cannot go just by cubic footage to properly size your unit. Many other factors are involved such as amount of glass, interior or exterior walls, what is above and below the cellar, type of insulation to be used, etc.
Without first doing a heat load calculation and figuring out which unit will work best for you, costly mistakes can be made that are very difficult to undo later down the road.
Before talking about the conditions under which to store red and white wine, let’s review what your cellar should have before you move in any wine.
Wine Cellar Preparations to Achieve Optimum Storage Conditions Needed for Proper Aging of Red and White Wine
There are several key steps in building a wine cellar that’s designed for ideal wine storage conditions.
Adding a Vapor Barrier
There are two ways to make sure your wine cellar has the proper vapor barrier:
The old method, which we no longer recommend, is to add 6 mil plastic to the warm side of the cellar and fill the studs with batt insulation. This method can be easily compromised over time and years later, you could have moisture issues if the seams come apart or the plastic is penetrated.
The recommended method is to use the correct thickness of closed cell foam. This acts as your vapor barrier as well as insulation. You must use a minimum of 3” on any interior walls. We recommend at least 5” on exterior walls, ceilings, and any floors that are not on slab. Any seams or double studs, etc, must also be polysealed correctly to eliminate any areas where moisture could penetrate. It is wise to have a specialist do the foam for you.
Adding a vapor barrier and insulation will depend on which method you are using. If using the plastic and batt method, you can install the plastic part before your cooling lines and electric are run. If using the foam method, DO NOT foam until the electric and cooling lines are installed.
Insulation of Walls and Ceiling
The proper insulation should then be installed in the walls and ceiling. When using the old method, you will get R-13 insulation in the walls and R-19 in the ceiling. If you use foam, you will get R-19 and R-30, which is better. The more insulation you add, the less work your cooling unit will have to do. This could save you money in the long run… so insulate well to achieve the perfect storage conditions in your wine cellar.
Cooling Systems are Essential in the Proper Aging of Wine
Before installing your walls, depending on the wine cooling unit you are using, you may want to run a drain line, your copper lines (if applicable) and be sure to wire for your electrical. All units will need a place to drain and must have a dedicated circuit for the compressor.
For the walls, you have a choice. You can use any moisture resistant material. You can put a ½” plywood down first to make it easier to attach your racking to the walls… recommended especially if using metal racking. Then add greenboard, or something similar. Another method is to add a heavy paneling such as a tongue and groove board or other board material that you might like to see in your room. Just make sure it is moisture resistant. If you are painting the walls, use a latex paint.
Installation of Wine Cooling System
Now install your cooling unit. Again, depending on the unit you use, you may need to hire a licensed HVACR contractor for this. An HVACR contractor is required for your warranty to be valid if you are using any split system.
These are very basic steps. Clearly, there is more to building a wine cellar in your home than the steps we list above, but we list them to give you an idea of the work involved in creating a space in your home that will preserve and help age wine in a room with ideal storage conditions.
A master wine cellar builder can help you throughout the process, from deciding the kind of cellar you want and where you want it to doing the actual work.
The Right Type of Wine Racks is Important in Wine Storage
Proper Storage of Red and White Wines
Wine Cellar Specialists can Build the Proper Wine Storage Place for your Collection
Once your cellar is in place, you get to move on to the fun part – actually storing your wine. We will cover in a series of other blog posts the types of racks you can use in your cellar, but here, let’s briefly talk about the best wine cellar storage conditions for red and white wines.
Wine Storage Conditions The Same for Red and White Wine
Both red and white wines should be kept at the same storage temperature. They both react the same way to the same storage conditions.
Drinking temperature is a different issue. Keep in mind that serving wine too hot or too cold can result in flat flavors and aromas. The right serving temperature can help preserve the freshness and fruitiness of wine.
White wines may not be chilled enough in your wine cellar. Before serving white wine, take the wine out of your cellar and put it into an ice bucket before you are planning to serve it. Serving champagne? Definitely chill champagne on ice before serving it. If you add water to the ice, the wine will chill faster.
Importance of Optimum Storage and Serving Temperature in the Aging Process of Wine
Red and White Wines Must be Stored at the Ideal Storage Temperature
The 55 degree wine storage temperature is equally important, if not more so, with your red wines. They typically are the wines that need more time to age before drinking. However, the 55 degrees is not the temperature you will want to drink your red wines at either.
The Right Drinking Temperature for Red Wine
Contrary to popular belief, red wine should not be served at normal room temperature. Depending upon the wine you are drinking, the ideal drinking temperature varies. There are may charts available online to help you along the way. When in doubt, serve the wine a few degrees cooler than room temperature. Richer aroma is released as the wine warms up to room temperature.
Cooling and the Aging Process of Wine
No wine should be served over 68 degrees F. Keep in mind that the cooling process helps age your wine and will let you store it for longer periods of time than just putting it away elsewhere.
One unit can serve to store red and white and conditions ideal for them, but remember you may need to take an extra step (cooling or “warming”) before serving.
Essential Wine Accessories for Serving Wine
In addition to serving wine at the right temperature, you can invest in wine accessories to enhance your wine drinking experience.
Aerator
An aerator is a must-have gadget of wine enthusiasts. It is used to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in wine. This process is called aeration, which can help increase your pleasure of drinking your precious wines, especially young ones.
Aeration allows wine to be exposed to the right amount of air, giving wine a smoother texture and pleasant aromas.
Decanter
Wine Cellar Specialists Master Builders of Wine Storage Rooms Texas
Another important wine cellar accessory is the decanter. The dark residuals in your glass or wine bottles are known as sediments. Before drinking wine, these sediments should be separated from the liquid to eliminate harsh flavors.
It is a common practice to let a bottle stand vertically for at least 24-36 hours prior to decanting. This will allow for easy decanting because the sediments will settle at the bottom of the bottle.
Other Tips in Serving Wine
When pouring wine, the wineglass must be on the table, not in your hand.
Use a bigger wine glass for reds, and smaller ones for whites.
Pour only 5-6 ounces of wine in a glass.
Contact a Wine Storage Expert
When it comes to providing wine the perfect wine storage conditions, you can rely on Wine Cellar Specialists. They have built climate-controlled wine cellars in Texas, Chicago, and Florida. Request a custom wine room design today or call them at +1 (866 ) 646-7089.
As you probably know, the cooling unit you put in place in your wine cellar will help to determine how your wine will be when you decide to open and drink it. Before talking about the conditions under which to store red and white wine, let’s review what your cellar should have before you move in any wine.
Preparing the Room to Meet Wine Storage Requirements
Prepare your wine cellar before installing your cooling unit.
Put a vapor barrier in place in the walls and ceiling. A vapor barrier consists of 6 mils plastic sheeting and must be installed on the warm side to serve as a barrier between the cellar and the rest of your home. The room should be wrapped like a package so no moisture can escape.
Put a vapor barrier on the floor. If the floor is concrete, you can use a product that goes on with a trowel found at most hardware stores. One recommended product is Bosticks MVP4.
Any tile or wood flooring can be installed right over this product once it drys. If your floor is above ground, you will want to add your vapor barrier and insulation just as you did on the walls and ceiling, while building up the floor.
The proper insulation should then be installed in the walls and ceiling. A minimum of R-13 in the walls and R-19 in the ceiling. However, the more the better. The more insulation you add, the less work your cooling unit will have to do. This could save you money in the long run… so insulate well.
Before installing your walls, depending on the cooling unit you are using, you may want to run a drain line, your copper lines (if applicable) and be sure to wire for your electrical. All units will need a place to drain and must have a dedicated circuit for the compressor.
An Efficient Wine Cooling Unit is a Vital Component of Wine Cellars
For the walls, you have a choice. You can use any moisture-resistant material. You can put a ½” plywood down first to make it easier to attach your racking to the walls… recommended especially if using metal racking. Then add a green board, or something similar.
Another method is to add a heavy paneling such as a tongue and groove board or other board material that you might like to see in your room. Just make sure it is moisture resistant. If you are painting the walls, use latex paint.
Now install your wine cooling unit. Again, depending on the unit you use, you may need to hire a licensed HVACR contractor for this. An HVACR contractor is required for your warranty to be valid if you are using any split system.
These are very basic steps. Clearly, there is more to building a Texas wine cellar in your home than the steps we list above, but we list them to give you an idea of the work involved in creating a space in your home that will perfectly preserve and help age any wine you store. Experts can help you throughout the process, from deciding the kind of cellar you want and where you want it to doing the actual work.
Best Conditions for Wine
Once your cellar is in place, you get to move on to the fun part – actually storing your wine. We will cover in a series of other blog posts the types of racks you can use in your Texas wine cellar, but here, let’s briefly talk about the best conditions under which to store your red and white wine.
Both red and white wines should be stored at the same temperature when it comes to storage. Ideal storage conditions protect wine from harmful environmental factors, preserving its desirable characteristics.
Drinking temperature is a different issue. Keep in mind that serving wine too hot or too cold can result in flat flavors and aromas. The right serving temperature can help preserve the freshness and fruitiness of the wine.
White wines may not be chilled enough in your wine cellar. Before serving a white wine, take the wine out of your cellar and put it into an ice bucket before you are planning to serve it. Serving champagne? Definitely chill champagne on ice before serving it. If you add water to the ice, the wine will chill faster.
The 55-degree storage temperature is equally important, if not more so, with your red wines. They typically are the wines that need more time to age before drinking. However, the 55 degrees is not the temperature you will want to drink your red wines at either.
Contrary to popular belief, red wine should not be served at normal room temperature. Depending upon the wine you are drinking, the ideal drinking temperature varies. There are many charts available online to help you along the way.
When in doubt, serve the wine a few degrees cooler than room temperature. The richer aroma is released as the wine warms up to room temperature. No wine should be served over 68 degrees F. Keep in mind that the cooling process helps age your wine and will let you store it for longer periods of time than just putting it away elsewhere.
One unit can serve to store red and white and conditions ideal for them, but remember you may need to take an extra step (cooling or “warming”) before serving.
Essential Wine Accessories for Serving Wine in Your Texas Wine Cellar
In addition to serving wine at the right temperature, you can invest in wine accessories to enhance your wine-drinking experience.
Aerator
An aerator is a must-have gadget of wine enthusiasts. It is used to reduce the level of carbon dioxide in wine. This process is called aeration, which can help increase your pleasure of drinking your precious wines, especially young ones. Aeration allows the wine to be exposed to the right amount of air, giving the wine a smoother texture and pleasant aromas.
Decanter
Another important wine cellar accessory is the decanter. The dark residuals in your glass or wine bottles are known as sediments. Before drinking wine, these sediments should be separated from the liquid to eliminate harsh flavors. It is a common practice to let a bottle stand vertically for at least 24-36 hours prior to decanting. This will allow for easy decanting because the sediments will settle at the bottom of the bottle.
Other Tips in Serving Wine
When pouring wine, the wineglass must be on the table, not in your hand.
Use a bigger wine glass for reds, and smaller ones for whites.
Pour only 5-6 ounces of wine in a glass.
We couldn’t be more thrilled! Check out some of our awards and their corresponding projects:
We had a start to finish excellent experience with Wine Cellar Specialists. After talking to a couple of carpenters about converting a closet into a small wine cellar I wasn't very confident they knew what they were doing so I started looking for expertise and found Wine Cellar Specialists.
I had my consultation with Brad Cupp and he was very passionate about their business and options
Steve Gee
We had a fantastic experience with Brad Cupp and Wine Cellar Specialists-Dallas. They converted an under-the-stair closet into a fabulous refrigerator cellar that holds about 400 bottles of wine. The attention to detail and craftsmanship was well worth the time it took to complete this job. You don't always get what you pay for, but in this case, I truly believe that we did. Thank you for an exceptional job.
Timothy Martin
Wine Cellar Specialists provided us a custom black iron/glass door as the main feature to our new wine cellar. The quality is excellent and the look is just what I asked for. Thanks so much.
Aiden K
I purchased a wine cellar door from Wine Cellar Specialist and had the pleasure of working with Alex. She helped me design a custom door that was absolutely beautiful. This was a very big project and she was so kind and professional and held my hand throughout the whole process. It was an amazing experience. I researched other companies before choosing Wine Cellar Specialists and it was their customer service and attention to detail that made my decision so easy. I highly recommend them for any wine cellar project.
G
Gary Anderson
Great experience with the process and progress completion - Brad Cupp dons well in coordinating and communication. All the sub contractors were good to work with and were attentive to cleaning after work. Plus the important end result was a wonderful wine cellar that can accommodate over 700 bottles of wine in relatively small area. Highly recommend!
Dallas 
Prepare your wine cellar before installing your cooling unit.
Both red and white wines should be stored at the same temperature when it comes to storage. Ideal storage conditions protect wine from harmful environmental factors, preserving its desirable characteristics.
