Stylish Storage for Your Wine Collection (1/4)

Wine, much like antiques, watches, cars and artwork, has well-documented histories, vintages and values. This makes them ideal for collecting, and rare wines are among the most sought-after collectibles on the market. In fact, several years ago, a 73-year-old bottle of French Burgundy became the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction, fetching $558,000. According to CNBC, “the bottle of 1945 Romanee-Conti sold at Sotheby’s for more than 17 times its original estimate of $32,000.” So whether you’ve been a connoisseur for years or have recently discovered a new passion, wine collecting is an exciting way to not only learn more about this historic beverage but also refine your palate, boost your hosting cachet, discover more of our beautiful world and if you are interested, even make a profit.

As sexy and romantic as wine collecting sounds, it is not a hobby for the faint of heart. It requires plenty of research, funds and care. But if you have the time, space and resources, it can be an extremely attainable and rewarding pursuit for those passionate about wine’s history, future and ability to elevate any occasion. While you might be anxious to start building your collection immediately, most experts suggest taking your time. While there is no single “right” way to build a collection, taking stock of your own interests and needs is important. For example, what is your budget? Are you collecting for yourself or buying as an investment? How much will you need for everyday drinking versus dinner parties versus special occasions? Your answer to these types of questions will help you balance the contents of your cellar to best meet your needs.

While it is easy to get swept up in the thrill of the hunt for the perfect bottles to begin with, one of the most important aspects of any wine collection is being able to store it in a suitable environment. After all, if you are not caring for your wine properly, you are wasting your time and money. “For sound longevity, wine needs to be kept at a constant 55° F (ish), with no fluctuations; 60 to 80 percent humidity; dark; and vibration-free,” suggests Jamie Ritchie, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine. He goes on to state that “a home cellar is clearly best, as it gives you the closest access to enjoying your wines, with the greatest advantage of being able to choose what you want to drink at the last minute.”

The good news is that a luxury modern wine cellar can add both aesthetic and functional value to your home. And as with all aspects of home-building and interior design, trends for how and where to keep your prized bottles have evolved over recent years. Traditionally, walk-in wine cellars were subterranean rooms, thanks to their ambient ground temperature, lack of natural light and higher-than-normal humidity. While these remain in vogue, modern technology and clever design, as well as better building techniques, mean that a wine cellar, room, “pod” or even a wall can be installed anywhere there is space. But before you bring out the hammers and drills, here are some trends you may want to consider.

• Sleek Storage Racks – Who said wine racks have to be boring? Modernize the way you store your wine by using sleek wine racks. There are plenty of different materials you can choose from, such as metals for a contemporary look, acrylic for a floating effect or dark wood that will stand out against a light wall. Your racks can run vertically, horizontally or even in a slanted ascent – choose whichever goes best with your home’s style and aesthetic. If it is too hard to make a decision, try a mix-and-match approach by pairing metal and wood together to create contrasting textures and colors.

• LED Wine Cellar Lighting – Create the ultimate modern wine cellar by adding LED lighting. LED lighting is the best type to use in your wine cellar as some lights can rearrange the chemical compounds in the wine if the temperature gets too hot. Placing the lights behind the wine bottles creates some stunning colors as the light hits the glass and can completely transform the look of your storage space. If you have a glass-enclosed wine cellar, the LED lighting will look spectacular – like an exhibit in a museum.

• Climate-Controlled Wine Cellars – Not necessarily a new trend, but certainly one that is getting more focus is the importance of caring for your wine collection properly. One critical aspect of this is making sure the temperature in the wine cellar is correct. The ideal temperature to store wine should be around 55°F with no fluctuations and a relative humidity level between 60 and 80%. Temperatures that are too high can disrupt the chemical reactions in the bottle, and temperatures that are too low can prevent proper aging. So regardless of what part of the country you live in, you will need climate control for your wine storage. This is done by having cooling units in your wine cellar so that the inside temperature remains constant no matter what the outside temperature is.

• Glass Wine Enclosures – Modern and contemporary design involves clean, open spaces with lots of transparency. Contemporary wine cellars are currently very on-trend thanks to their glass walls – no more hiding your wine away! The glass provides a clean aesthetic while displaying your wine collection timelessly. Pair the glass wine cellar with wood flooring and put more emphasis on showcasing the bottles of wine rather than the wine cellar itself for the maximum wow factor. And do not forget to add some extra flair with the ever-popular LED lighting.

• Unconventional Wine Cellar Locations – Although basements are still the most common location for a wine cellar, they are making their way above ground. Thanks to advancements in wine storage, you can now have your wine cellar just about anywhere you want it. You can make creative use of spaces that you already have or you can repurpose existing places like pantries or garages. Consider installing your wine cellar in unconventional spots like under the stairs, in the living room, in a closet or even in the kitchen. Or try creating a statement piece by installing your wine cellar in the living room and get creative by using it as a room divider. Cooling units inside the wine cellar allow them to go just about anywhere now. 

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