| There are practical and decorative considerations | | | | traffic.Extreme heat makes the wine mature too |
| to keep in mind when choosing a wine rack or | | | | fast so it can deteriorate before it reaches its |
| storage system, not to mention a variety of | | | | peak. Wine kept in the refrigerator too long can |
| options available.When touring wine country, many | | | | go flat and lose its flavor because of the cold |
| people find themselves buying a bottle or two of | | | | temperature and vibration of the motor. The |
| a delicious wine they have discovered at one or | | | | temperature of the room where wine is kept |
| more of the wineries. Some like to buy a souvenir | | | | should ideally be kept below 70 degrees |
| bottle at each winery they visit. This can be a | | | | Fahrenheit and between 70-95% humidity, with |
| smart move, as many wineries deduct their | | | | very little variation over short periods of time. Air |
| tasting fee from a purchase. Others may wish to | | | | conditioning alone is not too good because |
| take advantage of a special deal offered only at | | | | excessively dry air can cause wine to evaporate |
| the winery and take home a full case. Also, many | | | | or leech out around the cork, ruining the wine due |
| wines are made available only at the winery, | | | | to oxidation.TYPES OF WINE RACKSWine racks |
| especially those of limited release.Whether you | | | | come in a variety of shapes, styles and materials. |
| are a fledgling wine collector or merely someone | | | | Wood is the most popular material. The wood |
| who likes to keep a few bottles around the house | | | | types are easy to assemble, are very durable |
| for special occasions, entertaining, or nightly | | | | and can be modular or stackable. Wood wine |
| consumption, at least one rack will be needed to | | | | storage systems can come in pine (the most |
| protect the bottles and free up space. Even the | | | | common), spruce, oak, fir, cedar, redwood and |
| serious connoisseur lucky enough to have a wine | | | | mahogany. These last two hold up very well |
| cellar could use a wine rack in the dining room or | | | | against decay and mildew due to extreme |
| den for easy access to those wines that are | | | | humidity.Metal wine racks allow for unique shapes |
| ready to drink. Also, you may want to have one | | | | and contemporary designs. If buying a steel |
| mainly for displaying some of your splendid | | | | model, make sure it is painted with a chip |
| collection to your guests.Most people don't have a | | | | resistant paint. Powder coatings come in different |
| custom wine cellar; yet find their collection of wine | | | | colors and are quiet strong. For a sturdy wine |
| bottles is growing. They need to establish a simple | | | | rack, wire should be of a heavy gauge and the |
| storage solution by deciding which type of racks | | | | weld joints very strong. Stainless steel is more |
| will fit their needs. Is it mainly for storage, display | | | | expensive than steel wire, but it resists corrosion |
| or easy access? Keep in mind that your wine | | | | better and doesn't need the paint coating.Other |
| collection may grow over the years.If you are | | | | materials used include chrome, Lucite, acrylic, |
| interested in wine racks primarily for storage | | | | wrought iron and polished brass.Single racks that |
| purposes, you can buy small ones to stack in a | | | | hold just one bottle make great gifts. Hanging |
| closet, place in a cupboard or put on a bookshelf. | | | | racks are great for freeing up space. Standing |
| There are also decorative floor and wall units. On | | | | wine racks with tabletops are handy for serving. |
| the other hand, if you are looking to buy a wine | | | | Some have drawers for holding wine accessories, |
| rack to accent your home decor or to display | | | | with the bottles stored below. Some even have |
| your favorite wines, there are many styles | | | | glass shelves above or a hanging rack for wine |
| available. These include hanging units, stand-alone | | | | glasses.Wine cabinets that you plug in come in |
| units and ones that are incorporated into pieces | | | | various types and sizes. They are nice because |
| of furniture, which have other features such as a | | | | they are self-contained and temperature |
| minibar or wine glass rack.A good wine rack | | | | controlled. Some look like a fine piece of furniture, |
| should be sturdily built. Another factor to consider | | | | which you can coordinate, with the rest of your |
| when deciding on a system is if it comes | | | | room. Cooling units may need to be professionally |
| unassembled, make sure the instructions are easy | | | | installed. Expensive and elaborate options include |
| enough to understand and that the unit itself is | | | | the wall wine rack system, which is built in and |
| simple to put together. If you like burgundy and | | | | customized.A wine rack filled with bottles collected |
| or champagne, choose a model with openings | | | | on wine tasting trips is sort of like a photo album, |
| large enough to accommodate these | | | | holding memories of your wine country |
| bottles.PROTECTING THE WINEWine needs to be | | | | experience and just waiting to be opened and |
| kept on its side to keep the cork from drying out. | | | | enjoyed anew.Laura Eggers lived in Sonoma |
| While not so important for wines you plan to drink | | | | County and the San Francisco Bay area for many |
| soon, it is a serious consideration when you wish | | | | years, exploring the pleasures of wine country |
| to age certain wines to their full maturity and | | | | whenever she could. Now based in Southern |
| peak drinking time. The rack should be kept in a | | | | California, she is enjoying new discoveries in the |
| place away from direct sunlight as well as from | | | | Santa Barbara wine touring region. Her website |
| any heating source, such as a stove, radiator or | | | | offers visitors a an overview of several California |
| heating vent. Also, it should be kept away form | | | | and Oregon wine regions, with information on |
| vibration, as from a dishwasher, clothes washer, | | | | wine tasting rooms open to the public. |
| dryer or window with exceptionally loud street | | | | |