Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it. Anonymous.
Years ago, I dated a wine importer after I graduated from college. I have few recollections of this particular person, but it was then my love of wine began. All wine regions have their wonders from German and French wines that were more common twenty years ago to todays popular Australian and prized American wines. It seems that with each passing year the interest in wine grows. Today its common to see wine refrigerators sold at home centers and discount grocers. And, more people are drinking wine, too. According to a CBS report last year, of the people who said they drink alcohol, about 40% of those drank wine, rising from a low of 27% in 1992 to 40% in 2005. Fine wine sections can now be found everywhere from convenience stores to shopping clubs. So it makes sense that wine would also find its way into homes ranging from a simple countertop rack to full-blown wine cellars whose storage can be tracked with software specifically designed to manage a wine inventory. If you have even a simple interest in wine, why not make that interest a part of your home?
Wine basics
It helps to know that wine is finicky. It doesnt like light and it likes to be cool. Even vibrations arent good for wine. So, a quiet, dark, cool location is best. Once you find the spot thats away from windows, the stove, and stereo or televisions, you have a good start on storing your wine in the conditions it likes and responds to best. You should always store wine on its side so that the cork stays moist and maintains it seal.
Use what you have
A love of wine can be translated into your dcor and lifestyle easily. Whether you have a basement that can be converted to a cellar, a spare closet or cabinet, or just a corner of the dining room, there are many ways to work wine into your home that range in price from ten dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. If space is limited, select a small cabinet area for a nice wine rack to store your favorite bottles. If you have generous pantry space, consider adding wine racks here. Pantries are usually dark, cool, and quiet, making them a good choice for wine storage. If you have a butlers pantry and no butler, why not turn this area into a wine bar? Remove shelves and a cabinet door to add a wine cooler. If you can spare the room, fit another cabinet with racks. If you have a small closet, replace the door with a wrought iron gate and install racks and you have an instant cellar. Even an unused formal dining room can be converted into a wine-tasting room with the right dcor elements. If youre interested in creating a real wine cellar and are a serious collector of wines, its wise to hire an expert who can build the storage racks and install the proper cooling system required to ensure the wines are kept at the optimal temperature. Today there are a number of companies that will come to your home and design a cellar that includes a tasting bar, barrels, refrigeration and almost anything an oenophile heart could desire. Adding a spot to your home for the collection and enjoyment of wine couldnt be easier with all the accessories and dcor items available today. Your next home improvement might need to be one that will allow you to savor life by the glass.
