The Perfect Wine Cellar Equipment
By April Rounsville
Congratulations on your move from lover to connoisseur. If you are planning to buy a cellar this guide will give you some information on buying the perfect cellar equipment.

1. Storage

Bottles should be stored on their side so that the cork remains moist and they should also not be exposed to vibration or temperature change. It should be maintained at a constant 50 to 55 degrees with a humidity rate of 70%.

2. Size

Size matters and if you choose to buy a larger cellar you need to make sure the unit will fit. Consider the space you have to work with, the size and weight of the unit and make sure to add the additional weight for the which averages about 3 pounds per bottle.

3. Types

There are different types of cellars. If you live in a house where you have a spare room that you can turn into a cellar you are very lucky. Don't skimp and make sure it will hold at least 500 bottles of wine. Build it well so that the bottles don't come crashing down. That would be a real shame.

For many of us we don't have that extra space. Not to worry you can buy a free standing cellar which can be placed in a house or even an apartment. They are available in many different sizes so no matter what your space limitations you will be able to find one that will



work.

4. Build It

If you decide to build your own cellar remember that north walls are best because they get the least amount of light. You can use the first floor of your house, a garage, or in some cases even a crawl space depending on the ability to keep temperature constant.

The first stem in starting to build your cellar is building the frame. You need to frame the outer walls of the basement with 2" x 6" studs . Then you will need to insulate so that you can keep the room a constant temperature. Don't forget your door is going to have to seal tightly so you will need to weather strip it. The drywall you use should be resistant to moisture.

Start thinking about the design of your racks before you actually begin construction. Decide what type of racks you want and what material you want to build them out of. Have a look at existing pre-fab racks to get some ideas.

You will also need to invest in a cellar cooling unit so that you can maintain the correct temperature and humidity. A cooling unit is very similar to an air conditioning unit. Your should be maintained at around 50 degrees and the humidity should be around 70%.

There is a great deal of cellar equipment available on the market so whether you build from scratch or buy pre-fab you've got plenty of options.
April used to be a bartender with over 7 years of experience. She later retired to become a freelance wine critic and a writer for a number of wine books. In these books, she specializes on finding the right glassware and utensils for your bar. Visit www.ebarware.com for a list of "must haves" such as wine cellar equipment for your bar.