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