| The basic purpose of a wine cellar is to | | | | underground because such a location kept the |
| effectively control the aging process of wine. | | | | wines at a proper temperature. Ideally, a wine |
| Once bottled, wine starts to mature, so proper | | | | cellar should be dry and cool. The ideal |
| storage is essential for it to mature in the right | | | | temperature to be maintained is 50°- |
| manner. The advantage of having a wine cellar is | | | | 55°F, but a reasonably consistent |
| that you don't have to go out and get a bottle of | | | | temperature between 45°F and 70°F is |
| wine every time you are ready to sit down and | | | | acceptable. What's important is that the |
| eat, or want to enjoy a glass. Having your own | | | | temperature remains constant. If there are |
| cellar enables you to plan and store wines for | | | | changes to the temperature, the change shouldn't |
| special occasions, even the odd unforeseen ones. | | | | be drastic. Although wines age faster in warmer |
| A wine cellar is basically a storage place for wine. | | | | temperatures, excessive heat can damage the |
| Any dark cool room will do; it doesn't necessarily | | | | wine. Expertise lies in getting the temperature just |
| have to be underground. A wine cellar can be any | | | | right. |
| location from a spot below the basement | | | | Wine cellar air conditioning units control the |
| staircase to a room built especially for this | | | | temperature in order to age wine in perfect |
| purpose. Innovators work with the homeowner to | | | | conditions. They also provide the ideal humidity |
| design a cellar, which might include carvings, pillars, | | | | level for a wine cellar. The type of cellar that you |
| molding along the wall and perhaps a decorative | | | | need depends on the kinds of wine in your |
| wine-tasting table that is usually positioned outside | | | | collection. |
| the cellar. Traditionally, a wine cellar was | | | | |