Some people may think that a wine cellar is an extravagance that only the very rich can afford but nothing could be farther from the truth! Amateur wine enthusiasts are now building their own private cellar that is nothing like what you might imagine in a luxury home or upscale restaurant.

You do not need a basement in order to create a wine cellar, just an enclosed space that will get some air circulation as well as some steady temperature and humidity control. A nook in your dining room, an unused closet or even the kitchen pantry could be transformed into a working cellar to house your wine collection.

Insulating your Area

For wine to be at its best, it must be stored at a stable temperature in the dark without movement and be well-ventilated with a controlled humidity. Your wine cellar area, whether it is a closet or something else requires insulation to help provide those controlled conditions. If you are not ready to dig a deep dark hole in the ground for steady storage conditions, you need to look into using polystyrene as the basis for the insulation inside your cellar walls.

Steady Temperature and Humidity Controls

Wines are best when stored in a wine cellar at a steady temperature of 49-50 °F because warmer temperatures of 75 °F and over age them rapidly and they lose flavor. Each type of wine will age at different rates so it is important that they stay in a designated dark, temperature controlled place until consumption. The use of a hygrothermometer which measures temperature as well as the moisture in the air (humidity) can help you maintain a constant environment.

The hygrothermometer, as mentioned above, measures the water vapor in the air or humidity and 70% is the optimal goal for a humidity reading. When the atmosphere in the wine cellar is too dry, the cork seal of the bottle shrinks a bit allowing air to move into the bottle, altering the flavor. When humidity is too high, your wine will continue to age wonderfully but you can expect mold to grow on the wine bottle label which decreases its value and attractiveness.

Absence of Light

Your wine cellar should be dark, only lit when you must retrieve a bottle for your enjoyment, because light will cause your wine to age far too early. Dark colored bottles are best because they let in less light than clear bottles but ensuring the absence of light will take care of any aging problems. It is important also that no ultraviolet light be in your wine cellar as it can cause your wine to break down the organic components which are what make the wine taste and smell good.

The final requirement for your wine cellar should be the ability to store your bottles in the prone position with the wine making contact with the cork. When the cork dries out, it shrinks a bit letting air into the bottle which will degrade your wine. Instead, storing your bottles horizontally with labels face up allows your wine to age more beautifully.

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You have probably heard of a regular bar before, a place that you can go to get drinks of your choice, but have you ever heard of a wine bar before? A wine bar is basically the exact same thing, with the only difference being that instead of choosing from various different drinks you can choose from different types of wine.

Oh and there are plenty to choose from so please don’t think that you are not going to have any variety here.

Types of Wine

Of course before you head off to a wine bar you are going to need to be aware of the different types of wine that are available so you will know what you have to choose from.

Let’s start with the different types of white wine grapes that are available. Riesling is one of the most popular of all, and this grape variety should always taste very fresh. It grows in all wine districts, and they are usually made slightly sweet, with steely acidity to balance the sweetness out.

They are much lighter than Chardonnay wines, and the aromas usually include fresh apples. If you want a very light but distinct wine, this will be an ideal choice for you.

Chardonnay is another of the most popular wine varieties. It can be made either sparkling or still, and Chardonnay makes the principle white wine of France, where it originated. These wines are usually wider-bodied with rich citrus flavors.

Another type of wine that you will find at a wine bar is Sauvignon Blanc. Even if you are a novice with wine you have surely heard of Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand is one of the leading locations for these wines, and they are generally much lighter than Chardonnays. The dominating flavors range quite a bit, everything from sour bits of green apple to gooseberry and more.

It is of course your choice as to which you decide to go with at a wine bar, and why not try more than one? Wine is one of the most widely loved beverages in the world, and it is really no wonder why. There are no other beverages that are so full-bodied and tasteful as wine, and everyone should learn a bit more about wine so that they can easier decide which they want to try and which they are going to be most satisfied with.

There are literally thousands of different wines to choose from, so have a little fun, try a few different flavors out and see what meets your fancy.

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All white wines are not created equal. There are big differences in taste among different varieties of wine. If you have just reached drinking age and want to become a wine connoisseur, you need to learn the different kinds of white wines so you can be a knowledgeable wine consumer.

White wines are best when they are consumed within a year of purchase. Red wines are better for putting in a wine cellar and letting them age. White wines should all be served at very, very cold temperatures, as chilled white wine is delicious. Pour a small amount of wine into the glass and return the bottle to an ice bucket to avoid letting the wine in your glass warm up to room temperature, where it might develop an acidic taste.

Chardonnay White Wine

Chardonnay is probably the most popular white wine today. In the California wine region, 95% of California wineries produce at least one vintage of Chardonnay wine. This white wine comes from the chardonnay white grape, which will grow in virtually every region where wine grapes can be grown. Chardonnays are known for their crisp, mellow flavor. A chardonnay would never be described as a sweet white wine.

Sauvignon Blanc

Don’t let the name scare you. The Sauvignon Blanc wine family (also sometimes called Fume Blanc) is an excellent starter wine for the beginning wine drinker. This crisp white wine is dry and light in body, making it perfect for drinking with fruit, cheese, or simply on its own as a cocktail. You may detect an undertone of smoky, tart, or herbal flavor. Sauvignon Blanc wines should be consumed soon after they are purchased, because this wine will not improve with age, and it might even worsen in taste and body if you store it for a prolonged period of time.

Riesling White Wine

Riesling is a very popular wine among beginning wine drinkers because it has a sweet flavor that appeals to novices. Rieslings are delicate, fragrant and fruity. They are excellent for serving with fruit, cheese and appetizer courses. Riesling is also a good wine to mix into a wine cocktail. To make an iced wine martini, just pour a glass of Riesling, add a shot of ice cold Vodka and garnish with three frozen seedless grapes – never olives. You may serve olives with chardonnay wines, but the strong taste of olives will overpower the taste of a delicate Riesling.

Buying wine can be an intimidating experience. If you know nothing about wine but still want to impress your dinner guests then choosing a good wine shop is a good place to start. The right wine shop will have a wide selection of wines as well as knowledgeable staff who will help you in selecting the right wine.

Depending on your level of experience when it comes to choosing a wine you will need a different type of wine shop from someone who already knows what’s what when it comes to wine. Having a little knowledge about wine doesn’t hurt and will help you avoid buying the most expensive bottle of wine to ensure you have a quality wine.

Price Range

Buying a good wine doesn’t mean forking out a huge amount of money. These days it is pretty easy to get hold of a good wine at a reasonable price. If you are just starting to enjoy wine then you will be pleasantly surprised at how reasonable, sometimes even cheap, wine can be. Don’t be fooled into buying an expensive wine just because you want a good one.

A good wine shop will have wines from all price ranges. The staff will be able to help you find something within your price range and introduce you to good wines. Use these wines as a starting point and as you get familiar with what you like you can gradually explore more wines.

Local and Imported

A wine shop should be able to provide you with both local and imported wines. American wines will usually have the name of the grape first and then the place that the wine was made on the label. The reverse is true of European wines. Buying local does have its benefits; it is usually less expensive than an imported wine. A lot of Californian wines are also ‘easy-drinking’ wines that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Most wine shops will also stock wines from around the world. Wine making is no longer exclusive to Europe. You can now find wines from Chile, Australia and South Africa. A wine shop that stocks wines from different countries will allow you to further explore and experiment.

The most important thing that should guide you when you are choosing a wine is your personal taste. If you don’t like a wine then it doesn’t matter how many reviews and awards have praised it. It’s just not something you like. Look out for wines that have particular characteristics that you enjoy such as spicy and fruity when choosing.

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Italy is known as one of the most romantic countries in the world and they are also known for their excellent Italian wine.  The country produces more wine than anywhere else in the world and there are literally hundreds of different types of Italian wine that are exported globally. The world of wines from Italy can be quite complex as each wine producing area of Italy may produce a specific type of wine, based on the grapes they harvest.

For years it has seemed that Italy kept the best of the best wines for themselves and shipped out great tasting but mostly generic wines globally. Times have changed however thanks to technology, growing practices and global demand for a more exclusive selection of Italian wine. While there are many nuances for wine from Italy, there are basically two different types of Italian wine – table wines and more expensive, exclusive wines.

Table Wines

Table wines are the perfect complement to hearty, down-home Italian food and can be found in most Italian restaurants and home tables. These wines are not as expensive as the higher end wines and are perfect for a more casual, convivial atmosphere among friends. The table Italian wine is likely in a large glass jug and mainly comes in red and white varieties, perfect for virtually any Italian dish. The majority of table wines from Italy are slightly fruity with a light sweetness and some being light bodied or even sparkling. Chianti is a popular type of table wine that is well revered by many wine enthusiasts as being tasty as well as affordable.

More Expensive Wines

Italy takes enormous pride in their Italian wine selections that are priced a bit higher than normal standards and as well they should.  The exclusivity of the wines is based on the type of native grapes they are derived from as well as the growing region. For this reason, you will see Tuscan wines that are from the province of Tuscany in Italy and other variations can be pinpointed to a specific region by not only the name of the wine but also the type of grapes used in its production.

There are approximately 2,000 types of grapes being grown in Italy today so you can imagine the variety of Italian wine available on the market. With the intermingling of the different varieties there are countless flavors from light to full-bodied with dry to fruity flavors to wines with smoky or oak undertones. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to Italian wine and therefore is the reason why this type of wine is one of the most complex to shop for.

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Wine is a natural, organic substance that can change over time. That is why it is so important to store wine correctly, in the proper wine rack, wine cellar, wine cooler, or other storage unit. When storing wine, the elements you must control are the air, temperature, light, vibration, and humidity.

Wine Racks – The Air Factor

It is a well known fact that too much air can spoil wine. Oxidization will cause wine to lose its fresh flavor and age prematurely, creating vinegar instead of wine. That is why wine is stored in airtight glass bottles with impermeable corks. However, all wine has a bit of air in each bottle to complete the aging process. Keeping the cork moist will prevent additional air from entering the bottled environment. Storing wine in a wine rack that keeps the bottles horizontally oriented will make the wine last longer. Therefore, any wine rack you purchase for long term storage should achieve the goal of horizontal orientation.

Wine Racks – The Temperature Factor

The optimum temperature for storing wine is 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. It is often necessary to use a wine cellar to achieve these temperatures, but a wine rack stored in a cabinet or closet can also be used.

Wine Racks – The Light Factor

Exposure to light can create an unpleasant odor and taste in the wine. Most bottles have good UV filters to prevent light from contaminating the wine, but it is best to take precautions to store valuable wine in an area well away from UV light.

Wine Racks – The Vibration Factor

Moving wine around stirs up sediments in the bottom of the wine and interferes with the aging process. Once you place a bottle in a wine rack, try to avoid moving it again until you are ready to drink it.

Time Matters

Time is an important element in wine storage. If you have a small wine collection and you expect to drink your wine within one year after you purchase it, you need not be overly concerned about your wine storage environment. Casual wine drinkers, as opposed to wine collectors, can usually store their wine in any location that does not include direct heat or sunlight. Dark, cool places like a cabinet, closet, basement, or pantry can be ideal wine storage environments, and these are excellent locations for a wine rack.

After opening a wine bottle, consume all the wine within a few days for optimum taste.

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Choosing a fine wine is easier than you think. There are plenty of resources that will guide you towards good wines. Awards and accolades aside, the key factor is choosing a fine wine that is within your personal preferences. No matter how highly acclaimed a wine is, if it doesn’t fit your personal tastes you won’t understand what everyone else is going on about.

It’s fine not to like something that is considered a fine wine. It doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate high-end wines, it just means you have different tastes from those who thought it was a great wine.

Price

Wines are becoming more affordable by the day. It is no longer something that only the wealthy can afford. A lot of the ‘snob’ appeal has been taken out of wine and wine drinking. However, fine wine still registers a higher price than ordinary wines you can simply purchase off the rack at any wine shop.

A fine wine that has won prizes will be particularly expensive. There are however ways to get around paying a premium for a fine wine. There are clubs you can join that will help you access wines at a lower price than what you would normally pay. Going to smaller vineyards will also help you stumble across a fine wine at a reasonable price.

Tastes

The best way to tell if you will like a fine wine is to start by drinking less high-end wines. This will allow you to ascertain what types of wines you like. If the fine wine has the characteristics and flavors that you are accustomed to and appreciate then you will probably find that you like it.

For example if you like unwooded Chardonnays, the taste of a wooded Chardonnay will be very different and you will not enjoy it. If you prefer sweet wines then something like a dry Riesling will not be up to your tastes.

Pairings and Vintage

Some wines need to be paired very carefully for you to fully enjoy the flavor and complexity of the wine. When it comes to a fine wine it is important that you pair it with the right food. The wrong type of meats or spices can alter the way a wine tastes.

There are also some wines that will taste better after a year or two of cellaring. Be wary of cellaring if you don’t have the right facilities to do this. Otherwise your expensive bottle of wine will taste like vinegar after a year of sitting around.

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Being able to comprehend wine labels is very important, especially if you are trying to decide on a bottle of wine to serve to guests at dinner or bring to an important event. Especially if you are not that experienced with wine, you will no doubt become intimidated by the multitude of selections that are available to you.

You walk into the store and see thousands of different bottles of wine staring back at you from off the shelves and no wonder you become so flabbergasted and fluttered. It can definitely be difficult and many wine makers certainly do not know how to make it easy on consumers when it comes to making wine labels that are readable, so here are a few tips that will help you out next time you are shopping for that perfect bottle of wine.

How to Buy Wine

Reading wine labels is by far the most important step in choosing a bottle of wine. This label is going to tell you every single thing you need to know about the wine.

One of the first things you may want to check out on wine labels is the alcohol content. Alcohol content must be stated on any wines that contain more than 14% alcohol by volume. These wines are considered as being fortified and because of this they are taxed at a rate that is four times higher than that of wines under the 14% mark.

This will also give you an idea of how many glasses you should stick to and not go over, as the higher the alcohol content the quicker it will be for you to get drunk, and you do not want that.

Another of the most important things you are going to have to look for on the label is who and where bottled the wine. The name and the address of who bottled the wine must be stated on the wine label so that consumers are aware of this information, and you will want to choose a wine that has been bottled by a well known winery.

If you are a novice, you will probably tend to look for simple labels with pretty pictures but in reality, the more detailed wine labels are, generally the higher quality the wine itself will be.

If you really don’t care about the quality of your wine then you can pretty much just skip this entire process and buy whatever random bottle of wine you want, but if you want to have success at choosing out the right wine, reading the label is going to play a very important role.

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All over the world, there are many vineyards producing wines from a variety of grapes and wine enthusiasts consider a trip into wine country the ultimate vacation. While there are many vineyards globally, there are a select few destinations that are the most desirable for a wine country adventure. Your budget, time and favorite types of wines should be your guide when it comes to planning the ultimate vacation around your favorite pastime – drinking wine!

California Destinations

In the mid 1970’s there were less than 30 vineyards in the popular Napa and Sonoma Valley of California but now there are several hundred. What that means for you in terms of a wine country adventure is countless options for travel from biking to vineyards to taking a tour bus or even taking a self-guided tour. As the demand for exploring and experiencing a true vineyard operation from the grape to the bottle product grew so has the tourism trade which means a well-rounded vacation for you.

Napa and Sonoma Valleys are the most popular wine country areas of California but others like the Russian River Valley and Dry Creek Valley are growing by leaps and bounds. Many of the vineyards that offer touring also tout some natural wonders that can add to the total vacation experience like the ancient petrified forests and natural hot springs.

European Destinations

Both France and Italy boast exceptional vineyards that produce perhaps the best wines in the world so you can bet their wine country tours are a dream. In France, there are many regions which may recognize by name alone as they have wines named after them like Bordeaux, Chablis and Chardonnay. In Italy, the Tuscany region boasts quite a number of different wineries offering such wines as Chianti, Piedmont and Abruzzo, also named after provinces much like in France.

Spain and Portugal offer a more Latin wine country flavor with their selection of wines and the vineyards that create them. In Portugal, there are almost 50 different regions that grow grapes which create some of the most unique wines in the world. Their Duomo Valley and Madeira island regions are among the most notable. Spain is home to three main wine country areas and a variety of vineyards that open their operations to local and foreign visitors. Andalusia, Aragon and Catalonia create distinctive wine flavors thanks to the rich soil and weather conditions for the grape growing.

Beyond California and various European places, there are some notable wineries in New Zealand, Australia, Chile and even South Africa. Each individual country basically dictates the tone and flavor of your wine country tour as well as the possibilities of other non-vineyard activities.

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If you started out slow by buying only a bottle or two when you needed it but now always have more than five or so bottles at the ready then you know how frustrating it can be to store wine bottles properly. Besides space being an issue wine needs to be stored in a certain way so that it keeps properly.

It’s not fun to open a bottle of expensive wine and find that it’s gone bad. A wine cabinet has two advantages in that it allows you to store space properly and saves the space that bottles can take up when you have no real place to keep them.

Size

Size is a big consideration when you are shopping for a wine cabinet. How big a wine cabinet to buy is up to you and how many bottles you usually buy. There is a variety of cabinets that will allow you to store only a few bottles or up to a case of wine. Think about how much wine you drink and buy when you are choosing a cabinet.

You can also buy a multifunctional wine cabinet that will hold other things besides wine bottles. This is really handy if you have limited space and can’t afford to have precious space being taken up by a cabinet that will only hold wine bottles. Most wine cabinets will also come with storage space to hold wine glasses and other wine accessories like corkscrews and decanters.

Design

Ultimately you want your wine cabinet to look nice. It would be quite awful to have something ugly taking up a prominent space in your home. It would be the equivalent to having an ugly couch in your living room.

You can buy a classic type cabinet made from wood that will add simple elegance to room or you can have a metal frame type to go with more modern décor. The choice is up to you but the looks should be the second consideration. Function is really very important when you choose a wine cabinet.

You want something sturdy that will hold your wine bottles securely. You also want to make sure it’s not something a child or pet can knock over. Choose a sturdy model if this is a consideration. It avoids accidents and unfortunate incidents involving breakage. Some wine racks are susceptible to this so be careful. Ultimately you want a cabinet that stores bottles well and looks nice.

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