Wine Safekeeping
A guide to the Wine Lover's Perfect World
photography: Fred Lindholm and Tim Brown
(page 1 of 3)
For centuries—and before women were lauded for such things—it was a hallmark of a civilized man if it could be said of him, “He kept a good cellar.” Today, wine is nearly a fetish in the Wood River Valley and an optimistic industry throughout Idaho. Neophyte tasters as well as more sophisticated oenophiles gather at a growing number of wine bars in the Valley to learn about the complexities of this ancient beverage, or simply to enjoy the fruits of the winemaker’s labors.
In a wine lover’s perfect world, the wine cellar would be designed first, before the rest of the house is conceptualized. That’s a pipe dream for the vast majority of us, but there are many ways to improve upon just tucking a few bottles into the back of the kitchen refrigerator. Whether you’ve purchased a case directly from a vineyard along Idaho’s wine trail or secured the winning bid at a top auction such as the Sun Valley Center’s premier summer event, safekeeping your selections will ensure the protection of your investment, humble or grand, for years of enjoyment.
A spare bedroom or hall closet might be commandeered, or even a basement with its unique temperature advantages. But don’t be discouraged if the square footage in your home is already at a premium. There are surprisingly small and affordable options.
In limited space, storage for a modest collection might best be provided by a dishwasher-sized unit that fits under the kitchen counter (although smaller storage appliances, about the size of a microwave oven, are available). A freestanding refrigeration unit capable of storing about 250 bottles costs about $2,000 initially, and occupies the space of a small regular refrigerator. The advantage of such a unit—plug it in, program the temperature, fill it up—is in its convenience and easy maintenance. The main disadvantage of this minimal investment, of course, is the lack of room for expansion.
While truly budget-minded kits are marketed for converting a regular refrigerator into a suitable wine-storage unit, to guarantee that your collection will be in prime condition over long periods of time, most experts advise more specialized solutions. Wine corks need to stay moist, so the storage atmosphere should be maintained at the lowest possible stable temperature and at ideal humidity. Bottles also need to be protected from vibration, and although ultraviolet filters are built into the bottle glass, darkness is desirable. Ultraviolet damage can result in wines that are described as “light-struck,” having the smell and taste of wet cardboard (not an attribute you’d want to experience at a tasting).
A closet is a convenient option if aesthetics are not a high priority. With a capacity of about 250 bottles, a closet (about 3’ x 8’ x 3’) can provide quite a few options for racks or bins. This solution does, however, carry a fairly high price tag per square foot in remodeling costs.
In a full wine cellar (even in a spare room above ground), bottles can be artfully displayed, their beauty evocative of pleasures to come. Some of the most elegant cellars even have room for dining facilities.
Sun Valley Magazine encourages its readers to post thoughtful and respectful comments on all of our online stories. You comments may be edited for length and language.