Proper Management of Your Texas Wine Cellar is Important

Most wine collectors may have experienced a difficult time finding a specific vintage from their residential wine cellar. If you are looking through each row of your wine racks, and pulling out every bottle to check the labels every time you search for a specific wine, you have an unorganized home wine cellar.

Don’t let your guests wait for a long time while you’re finding a particular vintage. Using the most suitable organization and tracking system for your collection will help you find a specific bottle in your wine racks easily and conveniently.

Wine Cellar Management Software from eSommelier

You want to avoid opening an expensive bottle of wine that is too early to drink or has aged longer than it should have. Drinking wine that has not matured properly will not let you enjoy its desirable flavors and aroma to the fullest extent.

The right wine cellar management software will help you achieve this. Some wine collectors may not see the need for a wine cellar management software until their collection is really out of hand.

Why wait for the time when you get stuck searching through the mess, when you want to drink or serve to your guests? If you have plans of growing your collection in the future, it is recommended that you invest in an inventory system that will save you from that tedious task.

The eSommelier wine inventory system, not only allows you to keep track of the wines you have, where you bought them, their price, vintage or producer; it also allows you to keep track of the wine’s maturation period.

Wine Cellar Specialists, an experienced wine cellar designer and builder in Texas, offers the eSommelier private cellar management system. Their aim is for their clients to manage their collection effectively in a simple way.

The eSommelier Wine Inventory System

The eSommelier wine management system is designed and engineered by Media Access Solutions. It is perfect for wine collectors who have large collections of unusual or rare vintages, and those who want to ensure that wine is consumed at its peak.

The eSommelier wine inventory system has 3 components – the touch screen terminal, wine barcode printer, and bar code scanner. The touch screen monitor is 12½” high, 15½” wide and 2″ deep.

It only takes take 2 minutes to enter new information for of a wine bottle. After entering the necessary information into the system, a customized barcode is printed. This unique barcode is affixed to the bottle.

Easy to Use Barcode Scanner

The barcode scanner allows easy removal of bottles from your home wine cellar. When you grab a bottle of wine from the wine rack, simply run it under the bar code scanner, and that particular wine will be erased from your inventory. You can opt to enter your own tasting notes and score after you mark a bottle as consumed. Very simple!

Software installation can be done in minutes after you receive the kit. You will need a wired or wireless Internet connection to be able to install the software.

Investing in a wine inventory system may not be possible for some because of budget constraints. If budget is a problem, you can still organize your wine cellar by using a logical organization system.

Logical Ways to Organize Your Texas Home Wine Cellar

When budget hinders you from purchasing wine cellar management software, you can create your own organization system such as arranging bottles by region, brand, varietal or price. With dedication and consistency, a system can also help you have easy access to the right wines without having to spend more.

By Region 

If you love to collect wines from different parts of the world, group those that are produced from the same region in one section of your wine racks. The region from where the wine came from has a big influence on the wine’s taste because of the variation in soils and climate. For many wine enthusiasts, the region of origin matters a lot when deciding which wine to pair with a certain dish.

By Brand 

Another way to organize your Texas home wine cellar is storing your wines by brand. This is most useful if you buy wine in bulk. After categorizing your wines by brand, you can break down each brand by vintage, varietal, region and price.

By Varietal 

Separating the red and white wines in wine racks is common for collectors who want to find the perfect vintage to pair with their meal. Others choose to arrange their collection by grape varietal. This way, Chardonnays, Shirazes, Cabernets and other varieties are grouped separately.

By Price 

Less expensive wines are usually meant to be consumed earlier than more expensive ones. By storing vintages with similar price range, you will know which wines are meant for short term storage, and which ones require longer aging periods.

Other Wine Cellar Organization Tips

If you think the two wine cellar organization options mentioned above won’t work for you, there are other simple ways to organize your wine cellar.

You can place the youngest wines at the top of your wine racks, and the older wines at the bottom. You may also choose a section in your storage racks for wines that you drink everyday.

Make sure to place them separately from wines that are expensive and meant for long-term storage. Everyday wines should be stored in accessible areas, such as in an eye-level section of your wine racking, or near your wine cellar door, while those that require aging can be stored higher.

When storing wines in double-deep wine racks, the same bottles should be stacked at the front and back. This way, you won’t need to pull the bottle at the front to know what’s next to it.

For wine collectors who live in earthquake-prone areas, it is best to place expensive wines on the bottom section of your wine racks to prevent the impact that would result from a high fall off the rack.

Invest in an Effective Wine Inventory System and Get the Right Wine from Your Wine Cellar in Seconds

Organizing your wine should be fun. It shouldn’t feel like you’re at work maintaining a spreadsheet (although that would be a very effective way to do it if you had way too much time on your hand.)

If you’re like most of us, without oodles of time, go for eSommelier’s wine cellar management system to ensure effective inventory of your collection and ease of access to your wines.

For more information on this product, call Wine Cellar Specialists today at 866-646-7089. Don’t have a Texas home wine cellar yet? Request a FREE 3D custom wine cellar design  now!

Before buying a new variety of wine to add to your collection, it makes sense to know its characteristics. The main reason you are collecting wine is to consume it after it reaches maturation, thus it is important to have a good bottle in your residential wine cellar.

Knowing something about the history of wine also makes sense. It can be the topic of conversation during wine tasting parties with your friends. Let’s talk about California wine’s history and a specific wine variety that deserves to have a place in your California home wine cellar.

California Wine History

California has been very important in the United States’ wine industry. Considered the world’s 4th largest wine producing region, California produces almost 250 million cases of wine annually. Nearly 20% of the production is exported.

In 1683, the first planting of a vineyard recorded was by Eusebio Francisco Kino, a Jesuit Missionary. The vineyard, which was located at San Bruno was never harvested. Franciscan missionaries planted the first sustained vineyard of California at Mission San Diego.

The missionaries were directed by Father Junípero Serra, who has been known as the “Father of California Wine”. The grape variety he planted became what they call the Mission grape. This variety dominated the wine production in California until about 1880.

Today, there are more than 100 different grape varieties cultivated in California and around 3, 500 wineries. One of the leading varietals is Chardonnay, which can adapt well to different climates and soil types, resulting in a wide range of styles. Chardonnay is popularly known as the “queen of whites” and has become the generic white wine in America.

California Chardonnay – Characteristics

California Chardonnays are categorized based on the region where the grapes are grown such as Napa Valley, North Coast, Carneros and many sub-regions. Different vintners produce different styles within the region.

Old styles of Chardonnay are characterized by vanilla and buttery flavors imparted by aging in oak barrels. Today, many wine companies in California produce Chardonnay wines that exhibit citrus and green apple flavors. Creamy, buttery and fruity Chardonnays are now rare.

Chardonnay’s complexity and distinct taste make it a great choice for casual or fine dining. Just like other wines, Chardonnay develops its complex nuances and rich flavors when aged. It is common for wine collectors in the United States to have California Chardonnay stored in their home wine cellars. Not only is it great tasting, but it can easily be paired with various dishes too. If you want to drink a California Chardonnay, pair it with pasta or seafood.

Some of the Best California Chardonnay Wine Producers

If you’re planning to add Chardonnay to the bottles stored in your wine racks, it is a good idea to buy one from a reputable California winery. This will ensure that you have a good bottle added to your collection.

Stony Hill Vineyards 

The owners of Stony Hill Vineyards are Fred and Eleanor McCrea. They began planting their vineyards with Chardonnay in 1947. Today, their vineyards have 25 acres of Chardonnay, 3 acres of Gewurztraminer, 10 acres of white Riesling and 1 acre of Semillon. Their small winery was completed in 1952.

Stony Hill Chardonnay (2011 vintage) has distinctive notes of apple and citrus. Its crisp acidity gives it the ability to develop richness as it matures. It is ideally aged for more than 5 years. It was fermented for 2 weeks in barrels (5 to 25 years old) and aged in old French oak barrels for 10 months.

Mount Eden Vineyards 

Farming 20 acres of Chardonnay, Mount Eden Vineyards produces 1,200 – 2,000 cases annually. The Estate Chardonnay grapes they harvest are pressed without crushing. They use 1-year old French oak barrels for fermenting all the fruit juice. They release the wine for sale after 2 years of cellaring.

If you are looking for lemon, mineral flavors and hints of hazelnut, Mount Eden Vineyards’ Chardonnay deserves to be stored in your wine cellar. Two to four years of aging is recommended for the wine to release its most desirable characteristics. Many vintages of Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay are enjoyable after 15 years.

Build a Wine Cellar for Your California Chardonnay – Contact Coastal

Coastal – a California Wine Cellar Builder You can Trust

California Chardonnay, the generic white wine of America, is a great addition to your home wine cellar. When aged well in a stable environment, you and your guests will enjoy its crisp, fruity flavor.

Don’t have a wine cellar yet? Contact Wine Cellars by Coastal today at (888) 735-8889. Let them design and install a wine room for your California Chardonnay.

Custom wine cellars in Miami, Florida should be designed and built properly, because these are the safe haven for wines. If they are not properly designed or built, your wines may become damaged. Many times, residential wine cellars in Miami, Florida are poorly designed and built because home owners try to utilize the cheapest ways to have them constructed.

The following are the most common mistakes committed when constructing a residential custom wine cellar in Miami, Florida:

1. Poorly Installed Insulation and Vapor Barriers

1. The cooling unit needs to be returned to the manufacturer for service.

   This is can be tedious because you will have to take out the system out of the wall, put it in a box, ship it to the manufacturer and wait for them to return the unit. This is why before you purchase a wine cellar cooling system, check first if the manufacturer is located locally.

2. The unit cannot efficiently cool the air to the ideal range.

   It is imperative that you have a professional calculate the heat load inside your residential wine cellar to make sure that you purchase the appropriate wine cellar cooling unit for your storage room.

3. Having Windows Installed on the Exterior Walls

In an area of a recreational lake in the city of Dallas, Texas called the White Rock Lake, a custom wine cellar built with iron and glass was completed by one of the most sought-after Texas wine cellar builders – Wine Cellar Specialists.

Visually Appealing Modern Wine Cellar Design Dallas TX

Metal Wine Racking System with Vintage View 

The wine racks used were wall-mounted metal wine racks from Vintage View. A major advantage of this type of wine rack is easy viewing of the wine labels. Your guests can read the wine labels without any obstruction and find a specific vintage quickly.

Wall-mounted wine racks are perfect for small spaces since they don’t occupy floor space. They are also decorative and can make your wine display a focal point of a room. If constructed and installed properly, wall-mounted wine racks can keep your wine bottles safe from falling due to intense shaking.

Attractive LED Lighting 

At Wine Cellar Specialists, we always ensure that every Dallas Texas custom wine room we build will not only store our clients’ wines in an environment with constant temperature and humidity, but will also showcase their collection impressively.

The wine cellar lighting is one of the crucial factors that contributes to the ambiance of a wine cellar and quality of wine. In this project, LED lighting was used. It was installed behind the front lips of the iron divider, creating a striking bottle display. See picture below.

White Rock Lake Dallas TX Custom Wine Cellar with LED Lighting & Iron Dividers

LED light is popular for its low heat emission, preventing the acceleration of wine’s aging process. To create the mood that our client wanted in his contemporary wine cellar, recessed LED lighting was installed in the ceiling. With our creativity and craftsmanship, the lighting created a clean and stylish look.

Glass Enclosure with Insulated Iron Frame 

An insulated iron frame and dual paned glass were used for the wine cellar’s enclosure to ensure that the cool air was maintained in this beautiful contemporary wine cellar in the White Rock Lake Area in Dallas, Texas.

Not only must the wine room itself be insulated, but the doors and windows as well. Proper insulation of your wine cellar will prevent external factors from harming your wines.

It will also eliminate the need for your wine cooling system to work hard when warm air gets inside your wine cellar. With this, you won’t be surprised by high electric bills.

Wine Refrigeration System from US Cellar Systems   

Wine Cellar Specialists have been using US Cellar Systems’ efficient climate control systems in their wine cellar projects.

The cellar’s optimal conditions are stabilized by an HS4600 ducted split cooling system. We placed the compressor and evaporator underneath the floor and the supply and return vent of the system in the ceiling.

US CELLAR SYSTEMS – HS Series Wine Cellar Cooling Unit

Click here to watch the video of the project. This project shows Wine Cellar Specialists’ craftsmanship and quality of work and service. Visit their website at http://www.winecellarspec.com/.

Custom wine cellars in Chicago, Illinois are the most ideal storage places for wines. A well-designed and well-built residential wine cellar with a quality wine cellar refrigeration unit installed can provide the ideal conditions for wines to age properly. Baroque Designs LCC, a wine cellar designer and builder in Chicago, teams up with US Cellar Systems to create the best wine storage rooms in Chicago.

Residential Wine Cellar Project in Long Grove, Chicago

 A residential custom wine cellar was designed and built in Long Grove, Chicago, Illinois, by Baroque Designs LCC. This wine cellar can accommodate more than 1000 wine bottles. It is unique because of its medieval and classic design.

A billiard table room in the client’s home was renovated and converted in order to construct the custom wine cellar. There was a fireplace in this room, which was sealed up, and insulation and a vapor barrier were installed.

Insulation and vapor barriers are very important when building a custom wine cellar in Illinois. These help make sure that the temperature and humidity inside the wine storage room do not fluctuate constantly. No matter how good a wine cellar refrigeration unit is, if insulation and a vapor barrier are not installed, or are installed poorly, the wines will still end up damaged.

Chicago Wine Cellar Medieval Design

Home wine cellars in Chicago should be designed to reflect the owner’s personality and style. As for this Wine cellar project in Long Grove, the client wanted a classic look with a medieval ambiance. Baroque Designs LCC constructed handmade custom wine racks made from reclaimed barn wood to achieve this look. The wine racks had individual storage and a diamond bin for bulk storage. The four niches were 2’ high and 6” deep in the corners, to showcase magnums. To complete the medieval appearance of this wine cellar, stone work was done up to the 10’ ceiling and a suit of armor was added to the décor.

Moreover, a custom wine cellar door imported from Europe was purpose-built for this medieval design wine storage room. A large classic style wine tasting room with a table and chairs also enhanced the medieval appeal of this residential wine cellar in Chicago, Illinois.

Custom Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Installed

An RM8600 TE Ductless Split Type Refrigeration Unit was installed in this beautifully designed residential wine cellar in Chicago. A licensed HVAC technician installed the cooling unit. The wine cellar refrigeration system and the professional installer were from US Cellar Systems, a leading wine cellar refrigeration company.

In the realm of wine collecting, one of the more important things to consider is how to store your wine properly. Wine aging is a delicate and complicated process, thus the proper conditions must be met in order for this to happen without a hitch. In this regard, investing in a good wine cooling system is crucial.

Wine Cooling System – How it Protects Wine

How exactly do wine cellar cooling systems work? A wine cooling system is a device that stabilizes the temperature in Vancouver wine cellars. Temperature should not fluctuate beyond the acceptable range for wine to mature properly before it is served and drank.

The ideal wine storage temperature is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This can fluctuate, but ideally not more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Aside from regulating the temperature, wine refrigeration systems are designed to help maintain the ideal humidity as well. Humidity levels are important factors that must not be taken for granted.

Low levels of humidity can cause the wine cork to dry up. If the wine seal is compromised, oxygen can seep in and cause the wine to spoil making it undrinkable. If humidity levels are too high, on the other hand, molds can grow in your custom wine room and can damage your wine racks (especially if they are made of wood). The wine labels can deteriorate too if the wine cellar is too damp. The ideal humidity level is between 55%-75%.

What to Consider Before Buying a Wine Cooling System

1. The Capacity of Your Wine Cellar 

First you have to check how many bottles of wine you intend to store and the capacity of the space that will be used to accommodate your collection. Also take note if you’re planning to add more bottles to your collection in the future. The greater the number of your wine bottles, the larger the capacity of the wine refrigeration unit you will need.

2. Location  

If you intend to place your wine cooling system in a very visible area of your house, you might want to consider its look and design. Take a look at the existing aesthetic of your room and choose an appropriate wine cooling system.

You will also need to consider the amount of space it will take up. Make sure it will blend seamlessly with the rest of the room without appearing too chunky or bulky. If your wine cooling system will be located in the garage, then the design might not be that important.

Besides this, you may want to think about the noise level that a wine cooling system will produce. There are types of wine cooling systems that can be quite noisy, while others keep noise at a minimum or non-existent.

3. Specific Temperature Zones 

If you intend to store wine for just a short period of time, single temperature wine cooling units will work best for you. However, if you intend to store wine for a longer time, your best bet is a wine cooling system that allows you to fiddle with its temperature and humidity controls.

4. Budget  

The good news is that there are plenty of wine cooling systems out on the market today, and they are designed to fit the requirements of any budget. While you do not want to spend too much on your wine cooling system, remember that the quality of your wines largely depends on how properly they are stored.

If you scrimp on a wine cooling unit initially, this may end up costing you more in the long run if your precious wine bottles get spoiled. So, never compromise quality over price.

Make sure that your wine collection is safe and protected by having the most suitable Vancouver wine refrigeration system in your wine room. Need help? Contact Blue Grouse Wine Cellars today at 1.888.400.CORK (2675). They will provide you the best wine storage solution because for them, every client deserves nothing but the best.

We commonly see oak barrels (wooden, bulky oval containers) in movies and pictures placed in a wine cellar for preserving wine. Oak barrels are a significant part of wine storage.

Oak Wine Barrels Impart Subtle Flavors to the Wine Stored in Them

Before wine is bottled, it is aged in wine barrels after the fermentation process. Oak wine barrels impart subtle flavors to the wine stored in them. They are also porous in nature which allows oxidation needed by wine to have richer aromas and complex flavors. The longer the wine is stored in the barrel, the stronger the flavor that it imparts to the wine. Imparted flavors due to wine’s exposure to oak are vanilla, cream, caramel, smoke, and spice.

 The type of wood, size, age, grain component, origin, and the treatment received by the oak barrel also affects the taste of wine. “Toasting” the oak barrel to caramelize its wood sugars is a common practice. This creates coffee and mocha flavors, especially to red wines.

After the desired period of storage, wine is then transferred into bottles and placed in a wine cellar or wine rack where it is aged and displayed for aesthetic or business purposes. Instead of putting the used barrels into landfill or using them as firewood, they are used to create furniture or accessories for wine cellars.

Wine Cellar Flooring

Just as our taste buds deserve the finest wine, our wine cellar deserves to be designed with aesthetic appeal. Give your California custom wine room a unique and antique look by choosing reclaimed wine barrel flooring. Old wine barrels are milled into 3 components: cooperage (top and bottom of the barrel), wine infusion (inside of the barrel) and stave (outside of the barrel). This type of flooring will surely make your wine storage space an envy of friends!

Wine Racks

Used oak barrels can also be re-purposed into wine racks. Wine barrel wine racks are eye-catching and strong enough to hold your collection if constructed properly. You may opt for custom wine racks that allow you to incorporate any design or style that your want. The whole wine barrel or a certain part of it can be made into a wine storage rack.

Tasting Tables for Wine Cellars

The tasting table in a wine cellar is important for decanting, wine tasting, or storing extra wine bottles or glasses. Wine barrel tasting tables are a perfect way to accentuate one’s wine cellar, giving it an old-world feel. You may use custom glass or granite top to add sophistication to the space.

Wine Barrel Carvings

One of the favorite ways to recycle old wine barrels is using them to make wine barrel art carvings. The part that is often used is the end of the barrel which can be carved carefully according to your desired theme or idea.

Other wine barrel furniture that can accentuate your wine cellar includes chairs, stools, hanging wine glass racks, wine coolers, and sinks. By using reclaimed oak wine barrels in designing your custom wine room, you will not only beautify you wine cellar, but also help save mother Earth. For any wine cellar needs, contact Wine Cellars by Coastal at (888) 735-8889. Visit their completed wine cellar projects at http://www.winecellarsbycoastal.com/custom-wine-cellars.aspx

Wine storage is not as easy as one may think. One has to question himself many times over before embarking on this kind of collection. It is not merely collecting wine bottles, but collecting and sharing experiences and engaging in friendships with people one has common interests with. There is also the aspect of expense in acquiring fine wines, building a custom wine cellar, installing wine racks, and acquiring other essential wine accessories.

Since the wine collection itself costs a lot of money, it is only right that the wine cellar is equipped with the right features for the wines worthy to be displayed or sold, as the case may be.

Efficient Wine Cellar Cooling System

The most important feature of a wine cellar is an efficient wine cooling system. Wine enthusiasts and collectors know that when storing wine, the right temperature must be maintained at all times. Ideally, the temperature should be somewhere between 55 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wine Cooling System – the Most Important Feature of a Wine Cellar

The ideal humidity level (which is 55-75%) must also be maintained to prevent cork from drying out. If that happens, air will enter the bottle thru the dried up cork and the wine will be ruined as oxygen will bring about chemical changes.

Appealing Wine Racks

It is also essential that durable but aesthetically appealing wine racks be installed in your wine storage space. If the owner prefers wooden modular wine racks, find something that will strongly hold hundreds of wine bottles and one that will maximize the space available in the wine cellar.

It is important that the wine racks be screwed to the wall to prevent them from toppling over, causing breakage of expensive wines. This will also minimize shaking or vibrations that can ruin the wines.

Wine racks must be designed in such a way that it is easy to retrieve wine bottles. It will also be helpful if labels are easily visible for quick retrieval and monitoring of bottles if needed. Near the wine racks, it is advisable to have a serving or decanting area. This can be useful when entertaining and showing off your wine collection. It is also used for wine tasting. You may also opt for wine racks that come with a tabletop.

Proper Wine Cellar Lighting

There should be proper wine cellar lighting. Wines are sensitive to light, and therefore the lighting system must be subdued and placed where bottles will not be directly illuminated. Light and heat will change the chemistry of wines. This explains why wine bottles are dark in color. Usually, the glass is thick to prevent the liquid from getting warm easily.

One’s wine cellar must reflect his personality. It can come out in choice of color scheme, design, purpose, and works of art displayed. However, it is not advisable to place a lot of art inside the wine cellar. One focal point is enough. After all, the stars of the wine cellars are the bottles displayed.

Keeping these basic features in mind will help you create and design a functioning Vancouver wine cellar; one that is carefully planned to serve its primary purpose.

Blue Grouse Wine Cellars Vancouver has expertise in assisting their clients in their wine storage projects. Visit their website at http://bluegrousewinecellars.com/ or call them at 1.888.400.CORK (2675).