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Wine Cellars

Wine cellars are cool dark locations, most often underground, that are used to store and age wine. They were originally caves, and many caves are still used as cellars because they maintain cool and dark environments all year long. An above ground cellar has to have the temperature and humidity controlled to maintain the cool, dry environment that is ideal for storing and aging wine.

The ideal environment for wine cellars is between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature should remain constant for best results, although slowly changing the temperature can take place gradually as long as it is kept within the ideal range. Wine matures and ages differently at different temperatures, but 55 degrees is considered the best temperature.

Wine is a perishable food that has to be protected from spoiling which is why wine cellars were created. Heat, vibrations, light and fluctuations in humidity and temperature can all spoil an otherwise good wine. A cellar prevents this. Too dry of an environment will cause organic corks to dry prematurely allowing air to enter the bottle which can oxidize the wine.

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