Chicago Wine Cellars Benefit Well From Quality Wine Cellar Cooling Units

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Wine cellar refrigeration systems in Chicago are an essential aspect of wine storage. Wine cellar cooling units help make sure that the temperature and humidity in your residential wine cellar in Chicago are kept at the ideal ranges. Wines cannot mature well if they aren’t kept in the ideal temperature and humidity ranges.

Residential Wine Cellar Project in Long Grove, Chicago, Illinois

A beautifully designed wine cellar in Chicago by Baroque Designs LCC is an example of a wine storage room that can provide the ideal conditions for wines.
This residential wine cellar is built in a home in Long Grove, Chicago, and can accommodate more than 1000 wine bottles.
Wines can be stored in many different ways, but when it comes to huge wine collections, custom wine cellars are the best place to keep them. The huge home wine cellar was built in a renovated billiard table room that is 15 x 17 feet.

Custom Wine Cellar Chicago – Unique Design

The residential wine cellar in Chicago was uniquely designed and built by Baroque Designs LCC. The wine cellar had a classic feel with a medieval design. The stonework was done in the wine storage room up to the 10’ ceiling. The wine racks were handmade from reclaimed barn wood, which was obtained from their local supplier. Four niches that were 2’ high and 6” deep in the corners of the wine racks were included, to showcase magnums. The wine racking was made to accommodate individual storage and a diamond bin was included for bulk storage.

Wine cellar doors are also an important part of custom wine cellars because how they are built may affect the temperature and humidity conditions inside the wine storage rooms. A purpose-built wine cellar door imported from Europe was installed in this beautiful home wine cellar in Chicago, Illinois.

A classic design wine tasting room is another beautiful feature of this Chicago residential wine cellar. The tasting room has a table and a few chairs. A reclaimed wine barrel head from Sonoma Valley in California was used as décor in this tasting room. The barrel head had the client’s name customized on it.

Wine Cellar Refrigeration System Chicago – Effectively Installed

Every home wine cellar in Chicago needs a wine cellar refrigeration unit to help make sure that the temperature and humidity are kept at the ideal levels. Wines will get damaged if there are constant fluctuations in these levels.

For this wine cellar project in Long Grove, Chicago, Illinois, US Cellar Systems provided an effective wine cellar refrigeration unit and had a licensed HVAC technician install the unit. The unit was a 300 cubic feet capacity Ductless Split Type Cooling unit.

Organic Wines – Why Have them in Your Chicago Wine Cellar

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Perhaps the first questions that you will ask about organic wine are: what it is, in what ways is it different from regular wine, and why should you include it in your Chicago custom wine room? Well, organic wine is created from grapes that have been planted and farmed following the rules of organic farming. This would mean that the grapes have not been sprayed with fertilizers, pesticides, or any other chemicals.

More and more people have been patronizing organic wine, especially in the past couple of years, as people have become more conscious about how the things they consume are made.
Because of this popularity, there have been many wines in the market that claim to be “organic.” But, the truth is only a few of these wines that have been labeled organic are authentic.
In fact, there are four types of labels that you can expect to find on these commercial wine bottles. “100% Organic” means that it is made from ingredients that are organic. The word “organic” means that 95% of the wine’s ingredients are organically grown.
On the other hand, “Made With Organic Grapes” or “Made With Organic Ingredients” indicates that the wine has at the very least 70% organic ingredients.

The Benefits of Having Organic Wine in Your Wine Cellar

What are the benefits of having organic wines among the bottles in your wine racks? One reason is that organic wines have brighter flavors. They have been found to contain more vitamin C, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus, and fewer nitrates than wines made from conventionally grown grapes.

They also contain fewer sulfites than the regular wines that are out there. Sulfites are sulfurous acids that are a naturally-occurring element in plenty of wines as a product of fermentation and are known to cause breathing problems in some individuals. The fewer sulfites there are in things you consume, the better it is for you.
Organic wines are high in resveratrol, which are antioxidants that can fight cancer. Organic wines are said to have 30% higher levels of resveratrol.

Proper Wine Storage for Organic Wine

Do note though, that as with all wines, proper wine storage of organic wine is important. If you store them in wine racks, make sure that they are not exposed to too much light. For wine cellars or wine cabinets, the temperature must be maintained constantly. The ideal temperature ranges from 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Small fluctuations in the temperature are okay as long as the changes do not exceed 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity must also be kept at a constant range. The recommended level of humidity for wine storage is 75%. This ensures that the corks do not dry out, because dry corks can lead to oxygen infiltrating your wine, causing it to spoil.
Chicago wine cellars or wine refrigerated cabinets can function efficiently only with the right wine cooling system. This helps control temperature and humidity, and can even alert you when the levels are not optimal.

Proper wine storage is especially important for organic wine because as mentioned, they have lower levels of sulfites. These sulfites actually act as preservatives for the wine, which lengthen the wine’s life. But, even if organic wines don’t have the same levels of sulfites as regular wines, you can age them well by following these proper storage procedures.

Do you love collecting wines but don’t have a functional Chicago wine cellar yet? Why not start your own wine cellar project? Wine Cellar Spec will design and build the wine cellar of your dreams according to your style, budget, and wine storage needs. In the end, you and your precious wines will experience the benefits! You’ll add beauty and value to your home too!

Contact Wine Cellar Specialists now at 866-646-7089 or visit their website at http://www.winecellarspec.com/.

Wine Cellar Refrigeration System Needs Exhaust Room or Environment

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Usually, when people discuss wine cellar refrigeration systems the focus of discussion is on the inside of the wine cellar room (like temperature, air circulation, the location of the custom wine cellar, etc.). Although these things are very important to storing wine, you need to remember that a wine cellar unit is basically an air exchanger, which means that while it is producing cool air into the wine storage room, it is also releasing hot air into the exhaust environment.

All Types of Wine Cellar Cooling Units Have an Exhaust Room/Environment

All wine cellar cooling units have an exhaust room or environment. In the case of a self-contained, through-the-wall wine cellar cooling unit, the exhaust environment is the adjacent room built to receive the exhausted hot air (unless the air is ducted elsewhere). In the case of ducted split type cellar refrigeration systems, the exhaust environment can be the garage or outside. These cooling units have their exhaust environment located away from the custom wine cellar.

Why A Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Exhaust Room is Important

There is a need to give importance to wine cellar cooling system exhaust rooms or environments because a cooling unit’s ability to cool a wine storage room is directly related to the temperature of the exhaust room. Since a wine cellar refrigeration unit is an air exchanger, cold air is basically produced inside the cellar and hot air is exhausted. This exchange creates a temperature difference between the two environments.

It is imperative that a refrigeration unit is able to maintain at least a 30-degree Fahrenheit temperature differential between the custom wine cellar and its exhaust room. The temperature differential is calculated by subtracting the cellar temperature from the exhaust room temperature. For example, if a custom wine cellar is set at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, its exhaust room should not get higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit in order to have a maximum of 30 degrees Fahrenheit temperature differential. If the exhaust room does get warmer, for example, 95 degrees Fahrenheit, then the cellar could get as cool as 65 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain a 30 degrees temperature differential.

This temperature differential needs to be maintained at the appropriate levels because it greatly affects the ability of a cooling unit to cool the inside of a custom wine cellar. If a wine cellar refrigeration unit fails to provide the ideal temperature levels, your wines will suffer and get damaged.

3 Popular White Wines and Their Proper Wine Storage

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

White wines are wines derived from various grape varieties. They are usually made from the skin and/or juice of grapes; their color range from yellow-gold, yellow-green, to straw-yellow. White wines are typically paired with meals that are lighter and the ruling that “white wines are best with white meats” is still followed up today.

It is said that white wines have more cardiovascular benefits than red wines and also have antioxidants. There are a lot of varieties of white wines present in the market. Let us discuss the popular whites that are usually present in Chicago wine cellars and wine menus of restaurants.

Chardonnay
Let’s talk about Chardonnay, the “King” of white wine. Chardonnay originated in Bourgogne, France. It is the most popular white dating back to the 1980s. It is the most important ingredient in making sparkling wines- especially champagnes. Chardonnay is best paired with salmon, grilled chicken, shellfish, and pasta with white sauce. It is said to be well-balanced in terms of taste.

It can be a bit sweet or fruity and sometimes has a hint of pear or apple flavor. If it is fermented in new oak barrels, a hint of buttery taste can be imparted into it. The top countries that grow Chardonnay vines are the USA, France, Australia, and Italy.

Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is acidic and crisp and is the lightest of all the white wines. It comes from a green-skinned grape that is grown in the Bordeaux region where it is blended with Semillon which is another type of white wine.

The taste of this wine usually depends on the climate. Its taste can be a bit citrusy and grassy. This is good to match seafood dishes and white meat. It also goes well with Chevre cheese and sushi.

Riesling
The last of the most popular and major types of white wine is Riesling. Riesling comes from the Rhine region in Germany. This wine is seldom oaked. In 2004, it was said to be the world’s 20th most grown variety. The character and quality of this wine are greatly influenced by the place where it originated.

In 2006, it was the variety that was mostly grown in Germany accounting for 20.8% of the world’s supply. Riesling is commonly grown in cold locations and regions. Other countries that cultivate this variety are Canada, South Africa, China, Ukraine, and many others.

In terms of taste, Riesling has a lighter taste than Chardonnay. It has a fresh apple aroma. This is best paired with pork, fish, and chicken. Its crispiness is a good pair with tuna and salmon. It is also good with some Japanese dishes.

Proper Wine Storage for White Wines

White wines are best served at a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on preserving them, make sure to maintain a temperature of 52 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit in your Chicago wine cellar or wine refrigerated cabinet.

If you are just planning to store it up until it is consumed, for example, the day before a party, make sure that you maintain a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit in your wine refrigerator. Remove wine from the fridge to warm it up a bit before serving it to your guests. Remember not to place it at an excessively cold temperature because it might flatten the aroma and vibrant flavors of the wine.

In terms of aging, white wines are not advised to be aged for a very long period of time. They are at their best when consumed at least two to three years from the year they originated. However, some white wines like Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauternes of high quality are good when aged.

Chicago custom wine cellars are the best place to store your white wines because they are specially designed to maintain a constant temperature and humidity levels. When built well with the right wine cooling system and wine cellar door, your wine collection will be safe and protected in your wine cellar.

For people who do not have the space and budget for a custom wine cellar, a wine refrigerator or wine cabinet can be used instead. These wine storage solutions can also provide the right conditions needed for the graceful aging of your wines.

If you have a small wine collection and you don’t have the budget to invest in a wine cellar or wine cabinet, you may opt for a wine rack. Wine racks must be placed in a cool, dark area to preserve your wines’ desirable characteristics.

Tips On Choosing The Right Custom Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Chicago

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

The Different Types of Custom Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems

Wine is a very sensitive beverage. It needs to be stored in the right conditions because it will spoil otherwise. A custom wine cellar with a quality wine cellar cooling unit installed can provide the ideal conditions for wine storage. On the market, there are various wine cellar cooling systems to choose from. Learn about the 3 basic types of custom wine cellar cooling systems and find out which is the right one for your home wine cellar.

1. Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems

Oftentimes, Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems are the most efficient way to cool a custom wine cellar. In most cases, cooling unit condensers are very noisy and take up a lot of space. With a Split Cooling System, the condenser is placed in a location outside the cellar, where heat and noise are localized, while the evaporator, which is quiet, is placed inside (or near) the custom wine cellar. You need to have a licensed HVAC/R technician install Split Custom Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems.

Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems can either be:

a. Ductless

The Ductless Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems do not need venting into an adjacent room because the condenser, which is the part that produces heat, is placed in a separate location. There is no ducting connecting the units. Instead, what connects them is a simple line set, which is comprised of small copper tubing and some electrical wiring.

b. Ducted

Ducted Split Wine Cellar Refrigeration Systems have benefits similar to those of ductless systems. What differentiates them is that with the Ducted Split Wine Cellar Cooling Systems, there is no visible equipment inside the custom wine cellar at all. Cool air is efficiently ducted to and from the custom wine cellar. Unlike the ductless types, the evaporator is not inside the wine cellar at all in the ducted types.

2. Ducted Self-Contained Cellar Cooling Units

Ducted Self-Contained Cooling Systems can be installed up to 25 feet from the wine cellar. The cool air is blown into the custom wine cellar and the heat is exhausted to the outside of the home through a duct. This type of wine cellar cooling can be a little bit noisy, depending on how it is installed.

3. Self-Contained Through the Wall Custom Wine Cellar Refrigeration Units

Among all the custom wine cellar cooling units, self-contained through-the-wall cooling units are the most cost-effective as well as the easiest to install. These units can even be installed without the help of a licensed HVAC/R technician. The units are simply mounted on the wall of your custom wine cellar. One of the disadvantages to having this wine cellar cooling system is that it makes a lot of noise.

One end of this cooling system produces cool air and blows it into the residential wine cellar. The other end of the system absorbs the heat from the cellar and takes it out into a room adjoined to the custom wine cellar. It is important to remember that the adjoined room should be at least twice the size of your cellar unless the heat is exhausted into another area.