SHOULD PEOPLE BE STORING WINE IN THE BASEMENT?
No matter how large or small your wine collection is, it’s crucial that you have a dedicated space that can keep your bottles safe and secure from harsh elements while looking great. But what about basement wine storage? Read on to learn more.
All across the world, wine is revered by many as the best way to unwind after a hard day of work and socialize with close friends or family. Whether you enjoy the cooling flavor of a deep red or vibrant white wine, one thing is certain: the taste and quality of your favorite wine is of the utmost importance. While decanting your wine or pairing it with the right types of food are important aspects of wine culture, it’s also vital to keep your wine properly stored in your home to achieve that perfect, desired sip.
Some people purchase cheaper wines, such as those available in boxes, and don’t really care about where they place their beverage. Don’t get us wrong – people have varying preferences and that is perfectly okay. But for serious enthusiasts, storing wine in less than desirable conditions can completely ruin the taste. This means that beginners often miss out on a fantastic glass of wine and aficionados are left to curse themselves for ruining their otherwise pristine bottle.
Although there are many different ways to store wine in a home, people often wonder if they can use their basement for wine storage. As a matter of fact, storing wine in the basement is not only acceptable, but it’s strongly recommended in certain circumstances. In this article, we’ll discuss reasons why you would want to create basement wine storage, as well as look at some of the best wine racks for basement use.
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BASEMENT WINE STORAGE
From the amount of the space to the lack of sunlight, basements can make great storage for wine as long as they meet certain specifications.
Storing wine in basement spaces is something we get asked about fairly often, and it’s completely understandable why. Think about it – if a basement is unfinished, filled with junk and overly warm, it’s probably not the best place to consider leaving a full inventory of bottles. For collectors with basements like that, other places in the house might be better. However, there are three conditions in which the bottom floor would be the ideal location for wine storage:
LACK OF SUNLIGHT
Sure, you can take wine on a picnic or enjoy it on the patio of your favorite restaurant, but wine bottles should definitely not be exposed to the sun for prolonged periods. UV rays beaming down on your wine for an extended amount of time can make it age much more quickly than it should. Storing wine in the basement is a great way to keep your bottles out of the sun.
HUMIDITY
The basement may allow little to no sunlight in, but you still have to take the humidity levels seriously. You don’t want to have humidity any higher than 70% or lower than 50%; otherwise your wine can start to mold and the labels on your bottles can start to fade. Fortunately, some basements act as passive cellars which are naturally set to the perfect humidity range and rarely fluctuate. If you wish to have basement wine storage, just be sure to double-check the humidity level with a hygrometer beforehand.
TEMPERATURE
Just like humidity, temperature is crucial in determining if you can start storing wine in the basement. This is especially true if the temperature of your basement constantly fluctuates. Wine needs to, ideally, stay at “just the right temperature” for you to be able to enjoy it or keep it in excellent condition for years down the road. Otherwise, excess heat or cold in the basement can dramatically impact the aging process or even break the bottles if your space is too frigid.
Just like humidity, temperature is crucial in determining if you can start storing wine in the basement. This is especially true if the temperature of your basement constantly fluctuates. Wine needs to, ideally, stay at “just the right temperature” for you to be able to enjoy it or keep it in excellent condition for years down the road. Otherwise, excess heat or cold in the basement can dramatically impact the aging process or even break the bottles if your space is too frigid.
BEST WINE RACKS FOR BASEMENT STORAGE
Now that you know more about storing wine in the basement, let’s look at the types of wine racks that you can install to display your bottles.
If your basement is the only realistic space that you can store wine in your home, you may be feeling discouraged if its conditions aren’t aligned with recommended sun, humidity or temperature settings. Don’t give up yet – you can create an active cellar to turn your downstairs into the optimal basement wine storage space. This involves manipulating the elements of your basement by using tools like a cooling unit and properly insulating the space. While you’re designing your new wine cellar, you need to furnish the area with the best wine racks for basement storage. Here are two types of racks that will make your collection stand out and keep all of your delicious wine protected.
WOOD WINE RACKS
Wood wine racks provide your storage space with a tremendous amount of elegance with their glossy finish and vintage aesthetic. Whether you’re looking for a horizontal display or a cube-shaped rack, we offer excellent options from the following brands:
METAL WINE RACKS
For a more modern and chic look, metal wine racks offer a hint of minimalism in their design. You can add a floating bottle rack to your cellar or dive into the HD Metal Series™ to create thick, high-quality metal wine racks. No matter what you choose to do, these brands offer tremendous choices when shopping for metal wine racks:
Now that you have a better understanding of storing wine in basement spaces, it’s time to start crafting your own unique, custom cellar. Whether you have a basement that can act as a passive cellar or you need to modify it to meet certain criteria, our options will help you furnish your space like a pro. Browse our selection of products today or contact us to discuss any questions you may have.
