Private wine storage is a multifaceted endeavor that requires well thought out planning, investing in equipment, and organization. But the effort is well worth it, especially when the result is no less than bottled poetry with a delicious, complex flavor profile in every varietal. With detailed care and precision, the chemical compounds in each bottle can evolve gracefully and elegantly over time.

By storing wine properly, you’ll be rewarded with a successful vintage collection for resale or to keep as cherished collector’s bottles. From the wine pros at WineBid, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about both traditional wine storage as well as cutting edge advancements: 

• Latest innovations in wine cellar design 

• Best storage methods for premium vintage & shelf wines

• Top-rated wine storage tools, apps, and equipment

Emerging Trends in Wine Storage 

Along with well-established techniques used for storing wine, the wine world has also seen a trend towards modernized wine cellars. According to experts, these innovations are improving wine storage while also adding an artistic touch to luxury homes. 

The concept of the traditional wine cellar has finally come out of the basement to serve as dramatic centerpieces in notable homes. Now a central feature of a house, the modern wine cellar is being incorporated into the same level of the living and eating area, allowing homeowners to show off their taste. Following this emerging trend among high-end homeowners, Nigel Slydell designed his ultra-modern wine cellar to have both visual appeal and functional storage. 

The result was an elegant, one-of-kind spiral wine cellar featured in the Homes section of the Wall Street Journal. Its innovative, customized design considers every need and convenience of the serious investor, including vented pipes that extend outside the wall. This essential feature maintains airflow and wine cellar temperature. The design also prioritizes safety with built-in stair treads, which provide secure footing to prevent slips and falls.

Storing Wine: Tips to Preserve Your Wine Collection

Whether the wine storage system is traditional or modern and customized, the same advice applies to storing wine to all of his clients. According to his recommendations, these are the features you should look for in a wine cellar, along with wine storage tips for the best possible aging of investment bottles: 

Wine Cellar Essentials

• UV blocking materials

In a departure from traditional basement wine cellars that are hidden from view, Slydell wanted his wine collection to be visible and also have an artistic flair. One of the issues with a glass-walled wine cellar is the UV rays and outside air that can damage the collection. The wine cellar designers found a solution to this modern design paradox with tempered glass that blocks UV rays. Lucy Hargreaves, managing director of Spiral Cellars, also included a reinforced wall of concrete in Slydell's wine cellar, which adds another level of protection from outside elements. 

• Main & backup AC units

According to experts, every wine cellar should also feature main and backup AC units, which will maintain a constant temperature of 55 degrees and humidity at 65 percent. 

• Security cameras

A wine collection is a major financial investment, which is why security cameras are also recommended for theft protection, especially with cellars in prominent locations. Covering all the bases, the construction should also take into account the flood, fire, and earthquake risks of a particular location.

How to Properly Store Your Wine Collection

The average wine collection contains at least 200 bottles and as many as 10,000, a significant investment for ambitious collectors. But it also comes with challenges, especially when developing a cellar strategy that works for the bottles in your collection and their unique provenance. 

• Organize by provenance

The practical solution is a wine collection system recommended by Monthly Sommelier, which organizes wine bottle storage by region, type of grape, and age. Since wine storage times vary, this type of system is ideal, especially when combined with a wine app; you can easily keep track of storage times for the best aging on every bottle. 

• Maintain optimal wine storage temperature 

For pristine investment bottles that can stand the test of time, keeping proper wine storage temperature constant is essential. In fact, it’s common knowledge among collectors that wine doesn't like excessive temperatures, sunlight, or heat, which can damage the cork and compromise the delicate aging process. 

Sommelier and restaurant owner Witeke Teppema of Luxury London recommends investing in a small wine fridge, which will keep your bottles at the optimal wine storage temperature: red wine temperature should be maintained at 55 degrees & white wine temperature at 40 degrees. Bottles should also be stored horizontally, which keeps the cork moist. 

Whatever your goals as a serious oenophile, storing wine successfully requires close attention to detail so that it can be enjoyed just as the winemakers intended. In a salute to Johann Wolfgang and his high standards, “Life is too short to drink bad wine,” here at WineBid, we couldn’t agree more.