Wines, Wine Storage Conditions and Wine Cooling Systems

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Both beginners and experts in wine collection must know the important conditions required to make a good wine last. The two vital aspects of proper wine storage conditions are temperature and humidity. To make sure that your custom wine cellar can provide the ideal temperature and humidity that your wines need, you need to purchase a good wine cellar refrigeration system.

Wine cooler refrigerators are units designed for storing wine. These units can regulate temperature and humidity effectively so that your wine collection will not get ruined.

The Difference between Wine Cellar Cooling Units and Air Conditioning Systems

There is a huge difference between wine cellar refrigeration units and air conditioning units. Although both can cool the room temperature, the latter cannot cool wine to the ideal level. A wine cellar cooling system does not just cool the room as an air conditioner does. It goes beyond that. A wine cellar cooling unit regulates and monitors the temperature and humidity so that they are kept at a constant level. This is important in wine storage because frequent fluctuations in temperature and humidity can damage your wines.

3 Major Custom Wine Cellar Cooling Systems

There are many different kinds of custom wine cellar cooling units to choose from on the market. The 3 most popular types are the Self-Contained Through-The-Wall units, the Ductless-Split type units, and the Ducted-Split Type units. Here is a more detailed discussion on these 3:

1. Self-Contained Through-The-Wall

This is the most cost-efficient type of custom wine cellar cooling unit. You simply mount the unit to an interior wall. The hot air inside the cellar will be vented out through the wall and into an adjacent room. This unit will also help lower the noise from the cooler. It is important to have a relatively big room for the exhaust air. Ideally, the adjacent room should be as big as your wine cellar.

2. Ductless-Split Type

This type of wine cellar cooling system does not come in one piece, but it is the more convenient and popular choice among wine collectors. Additionally, although this cooling system is more costly, it has a longer life expectancy. Another advantage of having this unit is that you do not need an adjacent room for exhausting hot air.

3. Ducted-Split Type

This is very similar to the ductless-split type cooling unit because you will hear no noise from its fan and you will not need any adjacent room for exhausted hot air. One of the best things about this wine cellar cooling system is that there is no visible equipment inside the wine cellar at all. This system is configured in such a way that it is the cool air that is ducted into and out of the 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.

Chicago Wine Cellars – Guide to Hosting Wine Tasting Parties

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Wine tasting parties are often engaged by enthusiasts and collectors to enhance and explore their experience and knowledge about wines and sometimes even to “show off” and display their collection in their wine cellars and wine storage cabinets.

Hosting a wine-tasting party need not be a chore or a burden. It could be (or should be) a fun and exciting activity. A wine-tasting party is similar to a book club where participants discuss the merits of a book and express their thoughts about what they read while also being open to other participants’ views and opinions. Below are some tips to guide you in hosting wine-tasting parties in your Chicago home wine cellar.

Wine tasting is best done with people who are not necessarily your good friends, but with people you are comfortable with and who share the same interest and appreciation of wines. When done at home, it is a good opportunity to display one’s collection in his or her Chicago custom wine cellar to fellow enthusiasts and share information.

Wine Tasting Parties in Chicago Home Wine Cellars – Tips to Follow

It is important for the host to determine what kind of wine tasting party he or she wants to give. Is it formal with rating and scorecards? Or is it informal where tasters can express their opinions and views freely?

Scorecards should indicate what tasters are focusing on, otherwise, guests can be given blank index cards to encourage them to take notes and thoughts to be shared with the group.

Is it a round table kind of wine tasting where guests are seated while discussing the merits of the wine? Or is it a free-flowing party where participants freely roam around and assess the wines and at the same time discuss the paintings on the walls and the wines in the host’s Chicago home wine cellar?

For the number of participants, 8-12 is a good number since the size is neither too small nor too big that one hesitates to share his views. It is also important to determine the number of wines to be tasted and whether it is a blind tasting or not.

Usually, 6 kinds of wine are used in wine tasting. Each person is served approximately 2 ounces of wine. Blind tasting occurs when the host decides to cover the label of the wine bottle with a brown bag and discuss its characteristics and merits.

It is not necessary for the host to prepare a full course meal to cap off the wine tasting. Finger foods can be served and shared after the wine tasting so as prolong the enjoyment of the party with fellow enthusiasts. During the tasting itself, bland or neutral tasting biscuits or bread can be served to cleanse the palette in between wines. Servings of light cheese will also do the trick.

The host must also prepare enough wine glasses for the guests. Each wine can be poured into one glass to be discarded right after, or a bucket with water for rinsing can be prepared for cleansing in between wines to avoid contamination of flavors. Guests are advised not to wear too much perfume which could distract wine tasters from smelling the real aroma of the liquid.

No matter how the host wants to stage his wine tasting party, what’s important is the sharing of ideas and thoughts with people with which one shares an interest and appreciation. Wine tasting parties are different and unique activities meant to be learned from, enjoyed, and enhance one’s experience.

Wood – Widely Used by Chicago Wine Cellar Rack Manufacturers

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

With several wine rack designs, styles and sizes, it is best to assess your wine storage needs, location, and budget when choosing the right wine cellar rack for your collection. The material from which the wine rack is constructed contributes a lot to having a safe and beautiful resting place for your wines.

Why Wood is a Top Pick for Chicago Wine Rack Construction

Wine racks can be built out of a number of different materials, but the most common are made out of wood. The reason why wood is the top choice for constructing wine racks is because of its stability and beauty. Wooden wine racks can complement any existing décor and can create a distinctive look in a Chicago custom wine cellar.

The two most popular wood species that you can choose for your custom-made wine racks are mahogany and redwood. Most wine enthusiasts prefer mahogany wine racks because of their sturdiness, longevity, and high resistance to rot and warping. These wine cellar racks can blend easily into any existing interior.

If you choose mahogany as your wine rack material, your wines will be safe since it is resistant to moisture and stains. The quality of mahogany is exceptional which makes it expensive. You can easily find it in the marketplace, and it is also stylish and can bring out the elegance of your wine storage place.

Another reason why most Chicago wine cellar and wine rack manufacturers prefer mahogany is that it is easy to work with, not difficult to polish, and can last for years if cared for.

Another popular choice of wood of many wine cellar manufacturers is redwood. Chicago custom wine cellars constructed from redwood are beautiful and beneficial to your wines because redwood has a non-aromatic quality and is high resistance to warping, rot, and mildew.

The 2 types of redwood are all-heart and premium redwood which are both known for their aesthetic appeal and durability. The good thing about these types of redwood is their ability to stand out even when left unfinished.

Wood may not come in various shapes like metals, but its uniqueness and durability surpass it all. It gives you several options when it comes to design, style, and stain.
Are you in need of wine cellar racks? Feel free to contact Wine Cellar Specialists at 866-646-7089 or get a FREE 3D wine cellar design package at http://www.winecellarspec.com/free-3d-drawing/. Click here to view their wine cellar gallery.

Chicago Custom Wine Cellars – Wine & Food Pairing Tips

Written by CustomWineCellarsChicago

Pairing wine with food is as exciting as finding the right pair of shoes to match your new dress or suit. You need to find the right match in order to look good.

Pairing wine and food doesn’t need to be expensive as long as it tickles your taste bud. The best thing to do when you pair wine with a certain food is an experiment.

Don’t be afraid to explore the world of food and wine. With so many types of wine stored in your Chicago custom wine cellar, it may take a while for you to find the perfect combination, but once you have found it things will become more fun and interesting. There are no rules in food and wine pairing, only recommendations or suggestions.

Wine and Cheese

In pairing wine and cheese, it is recommended that you start from the same region where they came from. For example, Parmesan cheese and Italian Chianti go well together. For convenience in looking for a certain type of wine in your wine cellar, you can organize them by region. Click here to learn more ways to organize your custom wine room.

Another trick is to pair a harder type of cheese with wine that contains more tannin, while the creamy cheeses can be paired with a wine that has more acidity, like Chardonnay.
You might want to ask which wine is best paired with cheese- white wine or red wine? White wine is best paired with soft cheeses and stronger flavors, while red wine is best paired with harder cheeses and milder flavors.
Some soft and creamy cheeses leave a layer of fat on the palate which interferes with the flavors in reds, making it monotonous and bland. Though both wines work with cheeses, many wine enthusiasts believe that whites tend to pair better with cheese.

Wine and Chocolate

Choosing the right wine in your Chicago custom wine cellar to complement the right chocolate is the key to having a successful wine and chocolate pairing. Below are some tips to achieve this.

– The wine should be sweeter than the chocolate.
– Pair red wine with darker chocolates.
– Complement lighter-bodied wines with lighter and elegant-flavored chocolate, or intensely flavored wine with bittersweet chocolate.
– Chocolate desserts must be paired with sweet dessert wine.

For beginners in the world of wine and food pairing, try to use the mix-and-match approach. Make sure that your wine collection in your Chicago residential wine cellar is organized properly for pairing to be more fun and less hassle.

If you want to start your own wine cellar project, choose an expert wine cellar builder with excellent customer service. Contact Wine Cellar Specialists at 866-646-7089 or simply click here for a FREE 3D wine cellar design package!

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.