3:00 PM

November 2008 - Burgandy Wine

Today's Burgandy Wine Article

The Ideal Wine Cellar: Everything You Need to Get Started

So you've decided to take a large step, and move from wine lover to wine
connoisseur. You are going to buy a wine cellar. This guide will give you all
the information you need to make this purchase.

Wine Bottle Storage
The ideal location for storing wine
is a dark, draftless area that stays at a constant 50-60 degrees, with 60-70
percent humidity. The bottles should be kept on their sides to keep the corks
moist, and should be exposed to limited vibrations. This will ensure that you
will be able to keep bottles at their best for years to come.

One
thing to consider if you decide to purchase a large wine cellar: make sure the
unit will fit! This sounds obvious, but many times stand-alone wine cellars are
much wider than a standard door. Another thing to think about is weight.
Consider not only the weight of the storage unit, but be sure to calculate 3
pounds each for a standard bottle of wine. You might not want to store your wine
upstairs. This is another reason that wine is typically stored in a cellar.

Types of Wine Cellars
If you are lucky enough to live in
a house, maybe you can use the existing cellar or a spare room, or have one
built. Just be sure not to skimp on building materials - it would be silly to
have 400 bottles of wine crashing to the floor because you wanted to save a few
bucks on thinner wood. Also, be sure the condensation will be able to evaporate;
otherwise, the humidity will increase beyond ideal levels.

Consider the cellar as an investment.
If you don't have a
large amount of space, you can buy a freestanding wine cellar. While not
actually a cellar in the traditional sense, these are large units that can be
stored in a house or apartment. They are available commercially for a wide
variety of prices. Always consider where you are going to be storing the wine.
If it will be kept in your home, you will not need to have as much insulation or
as strong of a cooling unit, but a unit kept in the garage will have to be much
higher quality.

Building Your Own Wine Cellar
The
best location for the cellar is below the level of the house. If your basement
has outside walls, keep in mind that north-facing walls will get the least
amount of light. Some smaller crawl spaces may not work very well if they
experience extreme changes in temperature. The same goes for a garage. The first
floor of the house can also be used, and as long as the house stays at a fairly
constant room temperature, the cooling unit will not have to work too
hard.

Framing
The first step in building a wine
cellar is the framing. The outer walls of the basement or room should be framed
with 2" by 6" wood studs. If the floors are cold, use 2" by 4"
studs.

Insulation
The next step in the creation of a
wine cellar is insulation. The room needs to be kept at the most constant
temperature possible. The best type to use is sprayed 2 pound polyurethane,
although less expensive methods can used, especially if the cellar is on the
first floor of the house. Once again, consider the cellar to be an
investment.

Doors
Don't forget about the door! It needs to have
weather stripping and also be insulated. Otherwise all the work done to
insulate the walls will be wasted.

Drywall
To finish
the walls, use a drywall that is resistant to moisture. Other wall material can
be used, but make sure that it will not soak up moisture and that it will not
impart an odor on the wine.

Racks
Don't leave the design of the racks until the end.
Start first with this design to make sure that you have enough space for the
number of bottles you'd like to store. A good place to start would be to look at
the smaller racks available at your local wine store. These will give you ideas
on the design you would like. Once again, make sure the construction is sturdy
enough for the weight of the wine.

Temperature and Humidity and Wine
As mentioned before,
the ideal temperature for wine is between 50 and 60 degrees. If the temperature
is too high, it will spoil quickly. If it is too low, it will not age properly.
If the temperature changes often, the cork will expand and contract. This may
lead to air getting into the wine. Keeping this in mind, never buy wine chilled
at a store, as you have no idea how long it has been that way. Also, don't keep
wine in your own refrigerator for more than 1 or 2 days.

Humidity can also damage wine. If the humidity is too low, the cork can dry
out. While a tipped bottle will keep one side moist, the rest of the cork can
become cracked and brittle.

Also, ensure the wine will be kept in a dark place, away from vibrations.
Colored bottles help keep the light out to some extent, but don't rely on the
bottle to keep the light out. Movement may cause the bottles to shift. Wine
needs to stay in contact with the cork so it will not dry out and crack, so
limit the movement the bottles are exposed to.

Wine Cellar Cooling Units
After you cellar is complete,
you can purchase a commercial wine cooling unit. Many of these work similarly to
a window AC unit. They vent through a wall rather than being installed in the
ceiling. However, if you are below ground or for some other reason cannot use a
window unit, there are commercial units that can be installed. These are
slightly more costly, but work well in those situations.

Every wine has an ideal aging time. If your wine cellar is built properly, it
will keep your wine for years to come.

About the Author

Jason Connors is a successful writer and wine connoisseur providing valuable tips and advice on wine cellar design, wine making, and wine basics. http://www.about-wine.net

Thoughts about Burgandy Wine

The Ideal Wine Cellar: Everything You Need to Get Started

So you've decided to take a large step, and move from wine lover to wine
connoisseur. You are going to buy a wine cellar. This guide will give you al...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Featured Burgandy Wine Items

The FTD Stunning Beauty Bouquet - Standard

This elegant vased arrangement is an eye-catching array. Red roses, pink Stargazer lilies, purple iris, and purple Matsumoto aster mix with red carnations and white Monte Casino in a glass vase. #C52-3037 C52-3037S

Price: 66.99 USD

News about Burgandy Wine

Pomegranate Powerful Antioxidant

Sat, 25 Oct 08 14:47:00 -0700
Pomegranate juice has been scientifically shown to be rich in antioxidants. Pomegranate has about three times more antioxidants ounce for ounce than red wine or green tea. Pomegranate juice is a rich source of phytochemical compounds shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels.

A Free Bottle of Vintage Wine - Just for Writing a Review!

Sat, 25 Oct 08 03:21:50 -0700
Get free wine for writing about wine.

A great Portuguese white wine

Fri, 24 Oct 08 13:54:57 -0700
Though unimpressed with the reds, the author raves about a refreshing, light Portuguese white wine. Don't drink and drive.

Of Tasting Wines and Visiting Wineries

Fri, 24 Oct 08 00:29:51 -0700
Of Tasting Wines and Visiting Wineries How about planning a trip to a group of wineries located near each other? A visit to three to five wineries in ...

Learn the Art of Wine Tasting

Fri, 24 Oct 08 00:28:52 -0700
Learn the Art of Wine Tasting The more you know about a subject, the more you enjoy it. While going to a restaurant for enjoying a glass of ...

The best "I can't believe I didn't get my bag of crap" ever.

Thu, 23 Oct 08 14:01:35 -0700
It starts with this cute little play on a MasterCard commercial, but quickly turns into a very well written and funny whine fest about not getting a bag of crap from woot.com80 woots...$1,972.3623 sellouts...$432.8723 shirts...$298.272 wines...$94.98Trying to snatch a few bags of carp from the grasp of a dead server.....Priceless

INTERVIEW: The maker of good wine - Hardware.no

Thu, 23 Oct 08 12:50:13 -0700
We've talked to it's creator about the fifteen years of development and the road ahead.

Wine Food
Wine Shops
Cabernet Franc | Cabernet Sauvignon

Labels: Wine Ingredients | Wine Jobs

&type=page">

Posted by Bill Jackson | 0 comments

1:36 PM

Tuesday - Aging Wine

A Aging Wine Artilce for Your Viewing

Frost Bite - Ice Wine is More Than Just Frozen Grapes

One of the most rapidly growing trends in the world of wine seems to be with the rise in popularity of ice wines (or eiswein in German). This is interesting because these wines have been around for almost 200 years yet have not had much time in the spotlight until recent history. The most famous ice wines are from Germany, however many other countries such as Canada, Austria, and even Australia have been known to produce ice wines of their own. Because Canada is much colder and is capable of more consistent freezing temperatures has actually surpassed Germany in the production of ice wine.

Ice wine is a dessert wine that is made from frozen grapes. Only the water freezes in the grapes, so when they are pressed frozen, the juice that is extracted is very concentrated and very sweet. This freezing must happen before fermentation, and the grapes need to be pressed frozen, otherwise the water will melt in the grapes and you will not have the concentrated juice required for ice wines.

Natural ice wines require a hard freeze to occur after the grapes have ripened. In Canada, this temperature is a minimum of 17 degrees Fahrenheit while in Germany this temperature is 19 degrees. This means that the grapes must remain on the vines for several months after a normal harvest and risk being lost to rot if there is no freeze. At the other extreme, if the freeze is too severe the grapes can not be harvested and pressed. Because the fruit must be pressed while it is still frozen, pickers must work late in the night or early in the morning and work while the cellar workers must work in unheated spaces to ensure the grapes do not thaw.

Sometimes wine makers prefer to use cryoextraction. Cryoextraction is a mechanical freezing that is used to simulate the effect of the natural frost that occurs so that grapes can be picked sooner and made into wine. In Germany and Canada, wine created this way can not be called ice wine, only wines which have been frozen naturally are allowed to be called as such.

Whereas regular wines might take days or weeks to ferment, ice wines can take months due to the higher sugar content. Even though it is normal for the sugar content in ice wine to run from 180 g/L up to as high as 320 g/L ice wine remains very refreshing because of the high acidity. Ice wine usually has a medium to full body, with a lingering finish while the nose is oftentimes reminiscent of peach, pear, honey, caramel, and green apples depending on the varietal grape. Pineapple, mango, and even lychee are quite common aromas with white varietals however this list is by far not exhaustive.

Because the juice from the grapes is more concentrated than regular wine, there is a much smaller yield. It is for this reason as well as the methods used that make ice wines more expensive than table wines. Ice wines can cost as much as $300 a bottle, which is why it is often sold in half bottles for as little as $50. Grapes that have insufficient brix (sugar) content can not be made into ice wine and are therefore usually sold under the label "special select late harvest" or "select late harvest" at a fraction of the price of true ice wines.

When to drink ice wine is a matter of personal taste. Some people believe that ice wine improve with age and supporters claim that the very high sugar level and high acidity preserve the content for years after bottling. There are then others who believe that with age the wine loses its distinctive acidity, fruitiness, aroma, and freshness. Being that ice wines are very versatile in this, when you decide to drink your ice wine depends on when you feel it tastes best.

Ice wines are becoming the latest trend in the wine world and it is easy to see why. Delicious and refreshing, ice wines are a delicacy and a testament to the skills of the wineries. More expensive than a traditional wine, it is not something that the average person can afford to purchase on a regular basis, but are an essential addition to a special occasion or meal.

Finest Wine Racks is a major supplier of a variety of wine racks including wood wine racks, metal wine racks, counter top wine racks, floor standing wine racks and wine storage systems.

Ken Finnigan - CEO

Finest Wine Racks

A synopsis on Aging Wine.

Frost Bite - Ice Wine is More Than Just Frozen Grapes

One of the most rapidly growing trends in the world of wine seems to be with the rise in popularity of ice wines (or eiswein in German). This is inte...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Featured Aging Wine Items

Avanti 28 Bottle Stainless Steel 2 Temp Wine Refrigerator

Our new 28-Bottle 2-Temp Cellar provides incredible wine storage convenience. It lets you keep whites and reds at perfect temperatures for service. Separate doors make for super efficiency and highly effective maintenance of temperature and humidity. The attractive brushed metal trim matches your fine appliances. • 2-Temperature Convenience • Separate Temperature Settings • Store 18 bottles of white or sparking chilled to 42°F. • Store 10 bottles of red at ideal 55°F • Reversible Double Glass Doors • Security Lock • Interior Light • Slide-Out Chrome Shelves • Brushed Metallic Frame • UL Listed • Digital Display • Removable Serving Tray • 33-1/4'H x 18-3/4'W x 18-3/4'D

Price: 499.00 USD

Current Aging Wine News

As a teaser to the meal we added an a la carte

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:19:25 PDT
For Chipotle Lime Oil Cook oil and garlic in heavy small sauce pan over medium low heat until garlic begins to brown, about minutes. Lobsters make a horrible noise when cooked alive, I’ve found that getting them drunk on wine marinade them in a water wine or rum mixture depending on how you plan to season them before cooking will cut back on this noise. Naughty Luis Dog Not So Neighborly. The first time I experienced fondue was on a bitter cold night in Frankfurt, Germany. And the Corvina St

News, events, reviews and tips still Pic of hayley mills.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:36:50 PDT
News, events, reviews and tips still Pic of hayley mills. Posted on August 19th, 2008 in Pic of hayley mills by mannunni29 These days we can get mortgage advice at am, book a hotel room at three in the morning, order a pint at four and, of course, rush to the De grisogono for a sausage roll at am. She’s been to a wine bar in Chingford with Eileen left in picture, Mags, Mandy and Wendy they’ve been bought drinks all night, only paying for the first round. Until dogs and cats can go on the pi

Bush demands Russia honor Georgia Congress hafen tessa.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:05:19 PDT
Bill Clinton to speak at convention. Bush s signing of the Western Hsbc usa bank login Distribution Bill on July. This statement by Madison in Federalist quot. Don Young is facing criminal investigation, a federal law enforcement official confirmed Wednesday, making Young the second member of Alaska’s three person Class high online school delegation under scrutiny. The administration claims that such a claim of Executive Privilege can be asserted without claim of National Security interests or

Birthday Dinner @ Rahsia Bistro & Wine Bar

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:52:18 PDT
Last Sunday, Sayang asked me, what would you like to go for your birthday, I said anything also can. You just don't expect this kind of answer from someone who blogs about food ! But, I really have no preference when it comes to food, I literally eat anything under the sun. I am that obedient son who eats anything that is put on the table. So Sayang consulted her friend whom she trusts to have taste, and made the necessary arrangements. It wasn't much of a secret, although the restaurant is call

Please increase the California claim small of your post by including your full name

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:04:24 PDT
Hauge noted that large Thyroid hairloss, which make up a relatively small share of California. West Virginia Attorney General Tackles The Issue Of Home Foreclosures. Legislation Would Allow Small Businesses To Form Health Insurance. By Mark Preston WASHINGTON CNN Sen. T want to try to kid anyone and imply that I was a close friend of Julia Child, but I knew she was a spy. To resolve claims by three Northern California women that the brokerage giant favored men in pay, promotions and client ass

Wine Class
Kosher Wine

Labels: Wine Ingredients | Wine Jobs