Storing Wine in a Small House
 

My house is not the big and has no basement. I am having trouble
deciding where to store my homemade wines if I go for large batches.
At what temperature is it okay to store whites? Is 72 degrees too
high? I am thinking of getting a metal wall mount system and leaving
them in the dining room, but I want to make sure that the temperature
will be okay.

Storing Wine in a Small House
 

I store a lot of my wine at about that temperature. It may not be best and
it may not age well for 8 or 10 years but for a few years it is just fine.

Ray

"mdginzo" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> My house is not the big and has no basement. I am having trouble
> deciding where to store my homemade wines if I go for large batches.
> At what temperature is it okay to store whites? Is 72 degrees too
> high? I am thinking of getting a metal wall mount system and leaving
> them in the dining room, but I want to make sure that the temperature
> will be okay.
>

Storing Wine in a Small House
 

Storing your wine properly is the best thing you can do to maximize the
potentials of your wines. IMHO, I think 72 is too high - white or red.
Wine is a living thing; all other variables constant, temperature has
the most effect on wine quality over time. Most wine cellars are kept
between 57 to 60 (F). As temp goes up into the 60's, wine will 'age'
more quickly. as it goes even higher, you run the risk of wine 'aging'
too fast, and even developing off flavors. Other environmental
considerations include; humidity, light, and vibration.

Couple suggestions;
* If you can afford it, build a wine cellar. An old closet can be
converted - there are plenty of "how to" books available.
* Less expensive, and easier, but still a few $; buy a wine cabinet.
Basically, a refrigerator with a higher temp range and (usually) a
humidity control.
* For small quantities and a more limited budget; get an old
refrigerator and hook it up to an external temp control (many of the
wine and home brew places sell them). Long term, this uses more $ in
energy costs.

Storing Wine in a Small House
 

I feel another pertinent question is "how long do you intend to store the
wine before drinking?" Our family is a regular consumer of wine and at our
rate, the yield from a 5 gallon carboy goes quite quick.

Yes, storing at 72°F is not ideal, but if you consume it within a year, you
may be hard pressed to detect a difference in your 25 bottles versus storage
at 60F. Unless, of course, you're a master taster.

For cost and ease, I stick with a temperature around what you note for
storing bottles around 2 years.


Patrick

"Ric" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Storing your wine properly is the best thing you can do to maximize the
> potentials of your wines. IMHO, I think 72 is too high - white or red.
> Wine is a living thing; all other variables constant, temperature has
> the most effect on wine quality over time. Most wine cellars are kept
> between 57 to 60 (F). As temp goes up into the 60's, wine will 'age'
> more quickly. as it goes even higher, you run the risk of wine 'aging'
> too fast, and even developing off flavors. Other environmental
> considerations include; humidity, light, and vibration.
>
> Couple suggestions;
> * If you can afford it, build a wine cellar. An old closet can be
> converted - there are plenty of "how to" books available.
> * Less expensive, and easier, but still a few $; buy a wine cabinet.
> Basically, a refrigerator with a higher temp range and (usually) a
> humidity control.
> * For small quantities and a more limited budget; get an old
> refrigerator and hook it up to an external temp control (many of the
> wine and home brew places sell them). Long term, this uses more $ in
> energy costs.
>