Wine Racks: The Solution For Practical Wine Storage

In order to get the best benefits out of good wines, they first need to sufficiently mature.  Wines only get better with time.  They must be stored properly during this period of maturing, as factors such as humidity, temperature, and proper lighting play an imperative role.  The easiest and most effective way to store wine is to use a wine rack.  Wine racks are to be selected carefully, keeping in mind which size of rack that you will require.

There are many choices of wine racks.  However, the horizontal types of racks are normally preferred to those that are vertical, especially for wines that will be stored for a long period of time.  Vertical racks do tend to dry the cork, which will end up spoiling the wine, just as many tilted racks do.  Horizontal racks won't dry up the cork and allow any unnecessary air contact, leaving your wine which is stored in a horizontal rack to be totally absent of sediment when it is poured.  Another benefit is that it is also inexpensive to maintain.

The very wide range of wine racks are normally made of either wood or metal, that can be kept sitting on the floor, or they can be suspended from the ceiling.

A wooden wine rack has an advantage over a metal rack, as it can provide much needed extra storage space.  They are strong and hard, and are aesthetically pleasing, mainly because they are made of cedar, maple, and mahogany.  The wide range of these wine racks includes Diamond Bin, Rectangular Bin, and the Curved Corner Rack.  If none of these are appealing to your creative nature, then you can purchase your own wooden kit which is all ready to make up with all the tools needed, making it very easy to install.  This will allow you to create your own design for a rack that you want.

Wine racks which are smaller in size are suitable for homes and personal collections, but larger businesses will usually require larger racks to store larger quantities and varieties.  Wine racks are very affordable, with prices that can range anywhere from $20 to $1000.  For most home uses of racks, you can look to spend in the neighborhood of $35-$300, which all depends on the style and size of what you are looking for.  There is a wine rack for all your needs, it is up to you to find that rack and begin storage.

Shopping For Your Wine Racks Is Easier When Done From Your Sofa

Everyone knows that shopping over the internet is both a blessing and a curse.  While there is nothing like being able to shop from the comfort of your sofa in your favourite pyjamas with a cup of steaming coffee or hot chocolate, especially at this the busiest shopping time of year.  However, the frustration of the World Wide Web can sometimes be so overwhelming when it comes to finding a special gift for someone special that it drives you to the verge of insanity.  During the holiday season it's great to be able to avoid the crowded shopping malls but that doesn't necessarily mean that finding the perfect gift is going to be any less daunting a task.

Let's say for arguments sake that you have decided to purchase a wine rack for your sister for Christmas.  Since last years shopping experience at the mall was a nightmare you would much rather not have to relive you have decided the last thing you want to do is spend an entire day or weekend swimming against the current of the masses of people looking for a store that not only carries wine racks but carries the counter top wine rack you had in mind.  So, you instead decide to search for wine racks on the Internet as an easier alternative.  You find some sites to look through, but if they've got several hundreds of wine racks whether you can find your ideal product is entirely dependant on how that website has decided to categorize their wine racks.

If you use the site's search option instead of their category links it can be hit and miss as to whether of not you are going to get the right results.  As spelling is crucial and often subjective, what you might call a ''counter top'' wine rack someone else may call ''countertop'' ''free standing'' or even a ''bottle holder.'' That's not even taking into account the fact that the name of the product may not even contain those words, making it impossible to find the product you seek.  Just because it is a wall mounted wine rack does not mean that it will be labelled as such.

Wouldn't it be easier if you could specify the characteristics of the wine rack that you want and then have them tell you which ones meet those criteria, rather than you having to do all the grunt work?  What would be ideal is to be able to set the number of bottles it should hold, what material the rack should be made from, what is the price range you're looking at, and whether you want the rack to hold glasses as well.  Now that's a happy shopping experience!

The problem becomes, is there anyone that actually provides this kind of searching?  We've done some research on the Internet and believe that we have a very unique proposition that provides this functionality.  Our Product Selection Tool is exactly this, an easy and straight forward way to find the wine rack you want in an instant.  So this holiday season take the stress out of shopping from home and see how our new search assistant tool can help you have a pleasant shopping season!

Wine Accessories -- A Wine Lover's Mark

The popularity of wine spreads all over the world.  This drink loved by all, is perhaps one of the oldest alcoholic beverages available.  A true wine lover not only loves to drink it, but also loves to serve it to other people.  For a wine connoisseur, a wine rack is a must to have in his house.  Wine racks are both decorative as well as utilitarian.  It is for holding your collection of different wine bottles, and for many it is like a display which they always are proud of.

Wine racks:

There are so many different designs of wine racks you can find.  Depending on your taste, whether you want an old classic look or a modern touch, you can choose the wine rack.  Wood is still the most loved storage wine rack.  There are a few wine racks that are even made for storing wine inside the refrigerator.  Wine bottles have to be kept and stored with utmost care.  These wine racks hold the bottles in contact with the cork, thereby preventing any loss of taste or smell of delicate liquids.

Wine racks can be made up of wood, metal, wrought iron, etc.  It is said that wrought iron racks are best, as they can not only be made into different artistic designs, but they are also sturdy, thus providing good support for your wine bottles.  For a classic Victorian look, go for a wooden wine storage rack.  This is also safe to use as it can go with any kind of furniture you have at home.  You can also buy table top racks if you are short of space in the house.

Things to remember:

For those who have a large collection of wine, you can also go for a refrigerator wine storage rack, as the refrigerator will keep the temperature under control.  There are a few things that you should remember while buying a wine storage rack:

• Decide on the place where you want to keep the rack, be it your kitchen or your dining area.  Depending on that, you can decide on what type of rack you want.
• If you have a big space, you can have choices as to what type of racks you want, but incase you are short of space, you can go for a hanging one or a wall rack.
• Check out the size, shape, and the number of bottles you want, and then you can decide whether you will need a big rack or if a small one will do.
• Find out the different price ranges and compare prices from all different dealers.  Buy the one that suits your budget.

A wine rack cannot be complete without wine accessories.  The most common ones include wine glasses, corkscrews, wine totes, coolers, wine stoppers, wine bottle holders, corkboards etc.  A wine corkscrew is an important tool.  There are many types of corkscrews available, though all serve the same purpose.  One end has to be screwed directly into the cork's center, and then the handle is used to lift the cork out of the bottle.  Now you can also find decanters for enhancing the look of your display.  They are glass bottles with designs on them, and they are also great for maintaining the flavors of wine rather than to keep in open bottles in your rack.

These wine accessories also make a perfect gift for someone who has a taste for fine things in life.

Wine Racks -- A Guide To Home Wine Storage

Home wine racks are specially designed for storing bottles of wines in a horizontal position, to help preserve the quality of the wine.  Storing your bottles in a wine rack is a great way to prevent the corks from drying out.  If this happens, the cork can shrink and let air in, resulting in oxidization, which will spoil the taste.  Wine storage racks usually have separate compartments for holding individual bottles, allowing gaps between each one to allow air to circulate.  Ideally, wines should be kept at a consistent temperature of around 55 degrees farenheit, with a relative humidity of 70%, away from light.

If your wine collection is growing rapidly and you don't have a wine cellar, then there is a huge choice of wine racking that's designed for home use.  If you'd like to keep a few everyday bottles within easy reach, then wall mounted wine racks offer a solution.  This type of rack is hung on the wall, which saves space, and allows you to always have a couple of bottles on display.  Often, these racks come with built-in stemware holders, so you can conveniently keep your glasses in the same place.  Wall wine racks are generally pretty cheap to buy, at around $40-$50.

Other types of rack include compact designs to fit on a counter top, or stackable towers to place on the floor, whose capacity can grow to meet your storage needs.  Wooden wine racks are very popular, made from all sorts of wood, including pine, oak or mahogany.  For a more contemporary look, a metal wine rack can be an attractive feature in itself, made from ornately crafted iron, stainless steel, chrome or aluminum.  Whatever the style of your décor, there's sure to be a wine rack design that fits in perfectly and provides you with a functional way to organize your wine collection.

Whether you're after a DIY self-assembly kit, or a custom wine rack, online stores are full of all kinds of wine racks to suit your budget and your wine storage requirements.

How to Choose a Wine Rack to Fit Your Style and Budget

Cultivating an appreciation of wine is a growing trend in the US.  Shops specializing in wine are appearing throughout the country, not just in the traditional vineyard regions of California, Oregon, and Virginia.  People who may not have grown up around wine are now drawn not only to sampling but also to collecting it.  Tasting parties and special wine pairing events are a common theme in restaurants and in the home.  With this comes an increase in interest in home storage.  While proper storage can help wines become even more exquisite, improper storage can lead to ruined wine.

A freestanding, temperature controlled wine rack is ideal, but much more expensive than a simple wooden or metal wine rack.  However, it is not necessary to spend several thousand dollars to enjoy wine in your home.  If you can find a dark, cool, slightly humid location in your house, you will be able to then select a simple rack that will keep your wine for years to come.  The ideal location will be 50-60 degrees, with constant 60-70 percent humidity.

Wine Rack Kits

One way to cut down on cost is to build your own wine rack.  For first-time enthusiasts, it is probably best to stick to a wine rack kit.  There are many considerations when designing a wine rack, and starting from a kit will keep the wine in the rack where it should be - the last thing you want is the whole thing to come crashing to the floor due to a miscalculation.

There are many commercially available wooden racks that offer snap-together assembly, requiring nothing more than a hammer.  These inexpensive kits are usually made of redwood or pine, and can be bought for under $35.

The most important thing to keep in mind when building your own wine rack is to consider the strength of the rack.  A bottle of wine weighs approximately 3 pounds, so the weight adds up quickly.  Make sure not only the rack but the floor itself can handle the weight, keeping in mind the weight of the rack.

If the kit is wooden, make sure the wood has been dried properly (no more than 14% moisture), and that the cross sections are no less than 3/8" (½" is better).

Also, make sure the wine is stored horizontally so that the wine stays in contact with the cork.  A dry cork signifies that the wine has been damaged.

Wine Rack Capacity

How much wine do you need?

While having 1500 bottles of wine on hand sounds exciting, most people have neither the space nor the wallet to support such a venture.  If you would like to have something for everyday, a 15-30 capacity rack should meet your needs.  That way, you can have 2 bottles of sparkling wine, 3 bottles of red (merlot or cabernet), 3 bottles of white (chardonnay, pinot grigio, or white zinfandel), one bottle each of red and white cooking wine, and still have room for a few special bottles that you plan to let age for years.  Also keep a nice red ready for company, and a reisling or shiraz for a spicy meal.  Have one bottle of white wine on hand in the refrigerator (it will only last in there for a week), and you'll be ready for any gathering.  A 30-bottle capacity rack is enough for a wine-tasting, an extended gathering, or for someone who likes to try a different wine every day.

Also, keep in mind that most wine rack manufacturers list the total bottle capacity.  This may be different from racked wine capacity, as total capacity may have bottles stacked directly on top of each other.  While this will not damage the wine, it is not as aesthetically pleasing and may be inconvenient when getting the wine out of the rack.

Styles of Wine Racks: Location is Key

Wine racks come in many styles.  Racks can be freestanding cabinets, counter top, or wall mounted.

When choosing a style, keep the following in mind:

• How much space do you actually have?
• Do you want the wine rack to be visible, or would you rather have a large, hidden wine rack that does not necessarily match your home's decor?
• Where can you put the wine rack?

The most important part of your choice is the location.  If you choose a rack that is not freestanding, make sure it is protected from vibrations.  It is not a good idea to put the wine rack next to the sink where the disposal will rattle it.  Never place the rack on the top of the refrigerator, as it gets very warm.  Also, keep the rack away from a window, as the temperature may vary too much, and UV light will damage the wine.

If you can not find a wine rack to fit in that perfect location and you are not confident of making your own, consider having a custom wine rack created just for you.  While this option is more expensive than an off-the-rack version, it is still much less than the freestanding units, and can keep your wine for years to come.

Wine Rack Material

Wine racks come in a variety of materials, from wood to metal to glass.  Whether you choose one made of mahogany or steel depends on a variety of factors, include cost, weight, and appearance.

Wooden Wine Racks

The most common type of wine rack is the wooden wine rack.  It is generally easier to assemble and relatively light.  Common woods are pine, cedar, spruce, oak, and redwood.  Another less common wood is mahogany.  Mahogany is a high quality wood and is used in both moderate and expensive racks.

Metal Wine Racks

Metal wine racks are becoming increasingly popular, especially those made of steel.  They are very strong and last longer than wooden racks with less care.  They can be painted to match any home.  They can also be formed into a wider variety of shapes while maintaining their strength.

Choosing a wine rack should be an enjoyable process.  Consider it an investment for all the wines you will try today as well as those you will keep for a special occasion down the road.