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/.

Metal Wine Racks – Widely-Used in Chicago Wine Cellars

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

A wine rack is a device that stores and organizes wine bottles and can be built out of a number of different materials. You have wood (being a very common material as it is easily obtainable and workable), metal (which tends to be more unique and is widely used), stainless steel (which we normally see in the kitchen), or wrought iron (which has become famous as a material for ornamental pieces, comes in fluid shapes, and creates real pieces of art).

Now the question is, “Which among of these materials are highly used and appreciated by wine enthusiasts and businessmen alike?” Nowadays, many buyers use metal wine racks as pieces of ornaments at home or in commercial establishments and not only as wine storage.

Let’s focus on the fact of why metal wine racks are widely used in Chicago custom wine cellar construction and why they are better than any other type of wine rack material.

Why Choose Metal Wine Racks

Metal Wine Racks Give Off a Modern-Day Feel

Both wooden and metal wine racks are excellent choices for wine storage and interior décor. However, metal wine racks have a definite advantage over wooden ones because they are designed and built to fit in almost any corner or nook of the house without much effort. Thus, it is an ideal wine storage solution for collectors with limited space. Also, with the metal wine rack designs, you can access and read the label of the wine easily.

Prices of metal wine cellar racks may be considerably higher than wooden wine storage racks, but they tend to have durability that maintains quality and appearance for a longer period of time. Metal wine racks are also resistant to corrosion and staining. Moreover, there are more metal wine rack styles to choose from compared to ones made from wood.

When you buy something out of metal, you know that it is going to be around for a while. Wine connoisseurs can choose various designs and shapes to match the general appearance of any room. Hence, metal wine racks are a better option for your wine cellar racking.

With customization options, you can opt for an exquisite finish and color to match the palette of your wine storage space. It creates a very classic look while maintaining elegance. Metal wine racks are also easier to clean and give off a distinctly cutting-edge, modern-day feel.

There are various types of metal wine racks, and finding the right one will only cost you a trip to the store or a few minutes of browsing online. Take a visit to the Wine Cellar Specialists homepage and learn about the wide selection of metal wine racks they offer. They offer high-density metal wine rack designs convenient for any residential or business projects where space and budget are factors to consider.

Wine Cellar Specialists – a Trusted Name in the Wine Cellar Industry

Whether you have a small project in mind or a more adventurous one, Wine Cellar Specialists is always willing to lend a hand. They design and install custom wine cellars in all of North America and Canada. You can reach them at 866-646-7089 or visit their website at http://winecellarspec.com/. Click here to request a free 3D wine cellar design.

Chicago Wine Cellars – Achieve Ideal Wine Storage Conditions

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Have you opened a wine bottle from your wine cellar and been disappointed when you tasted it? The wine that has not been stored properly usually has wine faults.

Wine lovers who plan to collect wines, have to make sure that they have enough knowledge about proper wine storage, the ideal wine storage solution for their needs, and the right budget for it.

There are several wine storage options that you can find on the market today. One of these is the wine cellar racks which are ideal for those who have a few wine bottles in their collection which are meant to be consumed early.

Wine Cellar Specialists Wine Rack Kits

Wine Cellar Specialists offer different wine rack kits and can also customize wine racks according to your personal preference. They also have refrigerated wine cabinets (also called wine cellar cabinets) which also function like a wine cellar. They are perfect for wine enthusiasts who don’t have the right budget and space for a wine cellar. They are available in different sizes and prices.

Why Invest in a Chicago Custom Wine Cellar?

In Chicago, many wine lovers have invested in residential wine cellars for many purposes. Custom wine cellars are designed mainly to provide a wine collector’s precious wines with optimal storage conditions. A wine cellar also enhances the beauty of the living space, provides a great place for wine-tasting parties with friends and colleagues, and allows the owner to buy wine in bulk.

Investing in a Chicago residential wine cellar requires time, money, and an expert wine cellar builder. It is necessary that you think about the design and type of wine cellar where you want to display your collection. Metal wine racks are used for constructing contemporary wine cellars, while wooden wine racks are for traditional wine cellars.

Since the wine cellar cooling system and door contributes a lot to achieving a climate-controlled environment in a wine cellar, it is essential that you choose the right one for your needs. The wrong door may cause the cooling system to work inefficiently and produce growth mold. Click here to learn about the types of custom wine cellar doors.

Contact Wine Cellar Specialists now at 877-497-7263 to start your own wine cellar project!

Chicago Wine Cellars – Sophisticated Contemporary Wine Racks

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

These days, I am looking for a unique wine cellar rack that will blend well with the design of my home. It should blend well with the current interiors of the wine cellar but should be flexible enough that it could still be used if my home is renovated in the future. I want a unique, sleek, sophisticated, and contemporary style that can be the ultimate piece of decoration in my Chicago wine cellar.

I want a wine rack that will showcase my wine collection without sacrificing the ease of retrieving a particular bottle when I feel like having wine for dinner or when entertaining guests. Of course, I would also want a wine rack that is easy to clean. I also want my wines to be stored properly, controlling and maintaining the required temperature and humidity.

I decided to do some internet research to look for the perfect sophisticated, contemporary wine rack option. I got overwhelmed! There are a lot of unique and modern styles to choose from! It is easy to get carried away with the long list of choices, but I have to consider the space/room I will set aside for my wine collection and the budget I am willing to spend to complete my latest home project.

Modern Wine Racks that Enhance the Beauty of Chicago Custom Wine Cellars

I came across the website of Wine Cellar Specialists (http://www.winecellarspec.com/flexible-modern-label-ladder-ultra-series-wine-cellar-racks/), a trusted manufacturer of custom wine cellar and wine cellar-related products and I am impressed with the selection they have. I would want a similar style for my home because of the sleek, sophisticated, and modern design of their wine racks.

Metal wine racks are unique and ultra-modern. Although wood is still used in some designs, metal is still the primary material. The wine racks can be custom-built to accommodate the current wine cellar I have. I can even choose the color of the metal and the kind of wood that will be used.

Flexible and Modern Label Ladder Ultra Series Wine Racks

The wine rack’s style on the website is ultra-modern and chic. It seems like the wine rack is floating in space. Steel beams of high quality are fastened on the floor for maximum support, and in turn, give it the illusion of floating on air.

I can just imagine my wine bottles seemingly floating in my wine storage room. What a sight it will be! It is also durable as it can hold a huge number of wine bottles. As described on the website, the rods of the wine rack can easily hold the weight of one person.

These are called the Label Ladder series wine racks. This series is designed for easy reading of wine labels. The wine rack itself houses the wine bottles in such a way that the labels are visible and readable.

The racks can also be custom-built to fit 1, 2, or 3 bottles in a lateral position. Talk about ease of storage and retrieval! I have the option to choose from various woodblock options to be used in the wine rack. This is an advantage as I can match the wine rack with the existing décor of my home.

Wine Cellar Specialists truly have flexibility, durability, and creativity in mind. They know what customers are looking for and they even provide customization options to create unique wine cellars and wine storage racks. What more can I ask for?

Chicago Wine Cellars – Reading & Understanding Wine Labels

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Drinking wine is a common part of social activities, especially for wine enthusiasts. No dinner or party is complete without a glass or two of wine to complement the food and lively conversation.

For wine lovers and collectors, it is essential to understand not just the taste and flavor of the wine, but also its producers and the region where it came from. It is interesting to note the kinds of wines that collectors have in their wine cabinets, wine racks, or wine cellars.

A basic lesson in wine is reading the wine bottle label. By reading the wine label, one will find a lot of information on the wine he is about to add to or pick from his Chicago custom wine cellar.

For those who don’t have a home wine cellar, it is easy enough to get table wines from wine stores, but it is important to have a basic understanding of the wine labels just in case the wine clerk is not adept to answer your queries.

You will also be assured of the quality of the wine you are buying as certain features are written on the label. A collector’s wine bottles in his residential wine cellar are a pure joy to show off to friends and acquaintances, especially if one knows how to read or what to look for in wine labels. This is probably the true test of one’s knowledge of wines.

Buy Quality Wines for Your Chicago Wine Cellar – Learn How to Read a Wine Label

There are five basic elements written on wine labels. These are the vineyard, vintage, appellation, bottling, and alcohol content.

Vineyard
The vineyard is where the wine is produced. The name of the vineyard tells the buyer its reputation. Sometimes for wine collectors, the name of the vineyard is enough motivation to buy or collect a particular wine bottle.

Vintage
The vintage is the year the grapes were produced and not the year the wine was bottled. Looking at the year together with the appellation and vineyard or producer will tell the collector if the wine is good to be aged for years or not. However, in most commercial wine cellars or wine stores, wines are ready to be consumed and not aged too long as this may affect the quality of the wine.

Appellation
Wineries in certain regions possess qualities that dictate the kinds of grapes that will be produced. Grapes grown and harvested in Napa Valley are different from the grapes grown in other areas.

In most wine-producing countries, vineyards are bound by government laws in the usage of the grapes used in the wines they produce. For example, if 95% is required by law, it means that 95% of the grapes used must be produced in the vineyard indicated on the label and the remaining 5% can come from other areas or regions.

To indicate good wine made from high-quality grapes, it is important to look for these phrases on the wine label:
France: Appellation d’Origine Controlee (AOC)
Italy: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) or Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC).
Portugal: Denominacao de Origem Controlada (DOC) or Indicacao de Proviniencia Regulamentada (IPR)
Spain: Denominacion de Origen Calificada (DOC) or Denominacion de Origen (DO)

Other wines have these on the label:
Grands Cru or Premiers Cru means the wine is produced in a high-quality vineyard from a region in France
Gran Reserva means that the wine is bottled for 5 years
Mis en Bouteille au chateau / Domaine / a la propriete / Gutsabfüllung (estate bottled) means that the wine is bottled by the producers themselves and not by a different entity.
Vieilles Vignes (old vines) means that the wines used are harvested from the vineyard with old vines, usually more than 40 years old in existence. These old vines produce grapes with richer flavors but in lower quantities.

Bottling
Details on the bottling of the wine are crucial. Usually, good wines are those with grapes grown and harvested by a reputable vineyard and bottled by the same producers. Some vineyards have others bottle their produced wine and this must be indicated on the label.

Alcohol content
The alcohol content is the amount of alcohol contained in the wine. It also indicates the body and sweetness of the wine. Wines with an alcohol content of 14% and above are more full-bodied and tannic. Wines with an alcohol content of 11% or below are sweeter and lighter. This information can also be used by wine drinkers to know how much alcohol enters their system.

To be familiar with the appellations and vineyards, wine enthusiasts must educate themselves by reading books and other materials about them. One can then take a trip to the nearest wine store to test his knowledge of reading wine labels as this is crucial in obtaining quality wines for your Chicago custom wine cellar.

Chicago Wine Cellars – the Right Way to Fill the Wine Glass

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

When serving wine to your guests, it is essential that you know the right amount to pour into the wine glass. After picking a good quality wine from your wine cellar, wine rack, or wine cabinet and popping the wine bottle open, should you fill the wine glass up to the rim, halfway, or less than halfway? These are the questions you have to ask yourself when serving guests during a dinner party in your Chicago home wine cellar or serving wine in a restaurant.

Many articles that I have read regarding the proper pouring of wine in the wine glass discuss this differently. Many have a variety of opinions on how much should be poured into the wine glass. Nonetheless, I have here a summary of what these different articles have been saying for everyone’s reference.

Chicago Wine Cellars – the Right Amount of Wine in a Wine Glass

When buying your wine in a bar or a restaurant, you have three main goals. First, to get your money’s worth. Second, savor every sip you take of your wine. The third is to enjoy the aroma of the wine as you swirl it in your wine glass.
Many restaurants and bars that offer wines have various stands on how much wine should be poured into a glass. It is said that in most restaurants they usually pour about four to five ounces of wine into a wine glass.

You may also request for your wine to be placed in a carafe so that you can pour your preferred amount of wine. This is not only to get value for your money but also to limit your alcohol intake. Despite the fact that wines are said to be beneficial for one’s health, too much of anything is bad. Hence, one should drink in moderation.

I have read one article which states that for red wine glasses, the amount of red wine to be poured is at least 1/3 full. Moreover, sparkling wines should fill about ¾ of the glass, and white wines should be at least half of the glass. Others follow the rule that a wine glass should be filled to the widest part of the bowl.

In general, most bars or restaurants do not have a standard measurement for the amount of wine to be poured into a glass. The reason for this may have something to do with the culture and tradition in the area.

When serving your guests during an occasional dinner party in your Chicago residential wine cellar, you must ensure that their glass is filled less than halfway. This is to allow them to swirl the wine to release desirable aromas and to decrease the risk of spilling.