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A Guide To Choosing The Best Wine Rack Kit

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In 2004, the movie Sideways was released, where it quickly received critical and public acclaim. The story centers on two friends who take a wine tasting trip as they wrestle with their own personal shortcomings. As the movie took off, so did the country’s fascination with all things wine. Today, fueled in large part by that film, more people than ever before are collecting and displaying wines. And although it may often be an overlooked element in most wine collections, the wine rack can be just as important as the bottles. In this article, we’ll provide you with an easy guide to choosing the best wine rack kit for your collection.

The first thing you should do is honestly evaluate your collection and its potential for growth. If you only plan on keeping 10 – 20 bottles at a time, it certainly doesn’t make sense to purchase a wine rack that holds hundreds of bottles. On the other hand, if you plan on increasing your collection, make sure you buy a wine rack with plenty of space.

The next consideration when choosing a wine rack is the material of the rack. While there are several different options available, the most popular tend to be those made of wood or metal. This decision is basically one of personal preference, as both racks look amazing and are very functional.

The next thing you need to determine is where you plan on keeping the wine rack. Do you have enough space to accommodate a wall-mounted or free-standing rack? Or do you only have enough room for a counter-top variety? Another thing you have to consider is that wine must be kept at very strict temperatures, and you must choose a spot in the home that allows for these conditions to be met. Your wine collection should be kept at between 50 – 60 degrees and preferably be kept in a cool, dark place.This is the reason many people opt for a freestanding wine rack in a wine cellar. If you do decide to go with a counter-top wine rack, it is crucial that you keep it away from any windows, as the sunlight will surely ruin the wine.

There are a few final things to consider before choosing the right wine rack for your collection. First, make sure the rack is strong enough to hold all of your wine bottles. This also includes any future additions to the collection. Secondly, make sure that all wine bottles are kept on their side, as this allows for the cork to stay moist and your wine to stay fresh.

This guide to choosing the best wine rack kit should help you make a better decision in displaying your own personal collection. Remember to choose a wine rack that will adequately showcase your bottles, while at the same time fitting into your space and budget constraints. Cheers!

by Hannah Roberts

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Wine Storage Strategies

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Keep Your Wine Collection Tasting Good To The Last Drop

Wine Storage Strategies

When in Doubt, Store Bottles Sideways
Though some wine bottles have screw-on caps or rubber or plastic corks, which can stand up to being stood up, most still come with natural corks. To maintain an airtight seal that protects the wine from oxygen and outside aromas, a natural cork needs to stay moist and expanded, says Andrea Robinson, a master sommelier and the author of Great Wine Made Simple (Broadway Books, $28). Store the bottle on its side, so the cork stays in constant contact with the wine. (Avoid storing bottles upside down in their packing cases, because sediment can collect on the corks.)

Keep Wine Away from the Light
If a wine is light struck, it has been subjected to bright light for an extended period of time and will taste “numb and dumb,” says Robinson. Although most bottles are made from tinted glass, which offers some UV protection, there’s still a risk of exposure. “The most important thing is to keep the bottles out of direct sunlight,” says Anita LaRaia, author of Pick a Perfect Wine…In No Time (Que, $17). Keeping your wine low to the ground or in a cabinet helps protect it from overhead fluorescent lighting, which can also do damage.

If You Can’t Keep It Cool, Keep It Stable
The ideal wine-storage temperature is 45° F for white wine and 55° F for red wine, but if you’ll be opening the bottle within six months, a warmer room temperature is fine. Just avoid storing bottles in pockets of high heat or in locations where temperatures fluctuate drastically, such as next to the dishwasher or stove. Above all, don’t stash a collection on top of the refrigerator, says Robinson. Overhead lighting and refrigerator exhaust give off a lot of heat, and the constant vibration can adversely affect taste.

Make the Second Time as Good as the First
Don’t feel pressured to down an entire bottle in one sitting. You can enjoy what’s left over as long as you recork the wine and store it properly. First, make sure the same end of the cork goes back in the bottle (the other end has been exposed to mold and odors). If the cork won’t go in easily, use the blade of a corkscrew to shave a notch near the bottom on either side, or pick up a reusable rubber stopper at a wine shop for about $1. Store the wine in the refrigerator, where the cold will help preserve it. (You can keep the bottles upright, since the air seal has been broken.) The acid in white wines, such as Rieslings and Sauvignon Blancs, helps keep them fresh for about three days, whereas most reds should be finished in a day or two, says Robinson.

Written by Sarah Engler