Author Archives: Holly Peters - Custom Wine Cellars Vancouver

Basic Construction Specifications when Building a Custom Wine Cellar in Canada

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Planning to have a custom wine cellar in Canada? Whether it’s a commercial or residential wine cellar, there are specifications you need to follow in order to make sure that your wine storage room will function properly. Here are a few construction specifications for wine cellars in Vancouver:

1. Cellar Wall & Ceiling Frame

When building a wine cellar, make sure that the wall framing is built using standard 2×4 or 2×6 construction methods. It’s also imperative that you know and follow the building codes in your area. If metal studs will be used, be sure to place at least 5 rows of nailers horizontally in between studs at the right heights, or attach firing strips on the left edge of the metal studs. These nailers or strips are where the wine racks will be attached, so these have to be very durable.

2. Wine Cellar Vapor Barrier & Insulation

You need to install a vapor barrier and insulation to your custom wine cellar in Vancouver if it is to be chilled. Vapor barriers and insulation make sure that the cold inside the wine storage room is kept inside and remains constant.

In creating vapor barriers, you first need to apply 6-mill plastic sheeting to the warm side of the wine cellar walls. You must apply a vapor barrier on the outside walls and ceiling of your custom wine cellar. Make sure that the seams are taped and sealed before the walls are closed.

In cases wherein it’s not possible to apply a vapor barrier on the outside of the studs or joists, you must apply plastic inside the wine cellar to the outside walls. What most people commonly do is wrap the entire interior of their residential wine cellar in Canada leaving the plastic loose inside the stud cavity. In between the studs, you can apply insulation. It is imperative that all of the cellar’s walls and ceiling are completely wrapped in plastic so that vapor barrier is effective. Insulation for the walls should be R13, or greater while R19 to R30 is best for the ceiling.

3. Custom Wine Cellar Doors

If your custom wine cellar is to be chilled, the exterior grade of your wine cellar door should be solid core 1.75”. You may also choose to have glass on the cellar door; if so, you must use sealed insulated glass. To prevent warm air from penetrating the door, exterior grade weather stripping is also required.

4. Residential Wine Cellar Lighting

The best type of lights are LED lights, but if you want to use recessed cans and halogen lighting accents, you must have a good wine cellar cooling unit to remove the heat generated by these lights out from the cellar. It is important to consider also that lighting that emits more heat also consumes more power.

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Custom Wine Cellars vs. Wine Cabinets – Vancouver Wine Storage Solutions

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How oenophiles choose to store their wine collection can greatly impact the overall quality of their liquid assets. Proper wine storage requires a constant and stable environment, wherein the aging process can commence at the right pace. The ideal temperature and humidity for storing and aging wines falls into the 55°- 60°F and 60% – 75% range, respectively. Additionally, wine should be kept in the dark and stored away from odorous items.

There are various wine storage options available that will help preserve and enhance the taste and flavor of wines for a long period of time. Some wine geeks may decide to store their wines at home, in dedicated custom wine cellars Vancouver or wine cabinets. Another storage option involves renting a space at an off-site wine storage facility.

Custom Wine Cellars – Best Wine Storage Location for Wine Collectors in Vancouver

Custom Wine Cellars Vancouver

Custom Wine Cellars Vancouver

A wine cellar is considered the best location for storing and aging wines, because it is meticulously designed and carefully constructed, in order to achieve optimal temperature and humidity levels. Custom wine cellars have plenty of room to accommodate a growing wine collection, and some are spacious enough to double as a watering hole for fellow wine geeks.

The construction of custom wine cellars is a painstaking process that needs to satisfy several prerequisites to help establish the ideal Vancouver wine storage environment. An efficient custom wine room must have the following components: insulation, a vapor barrier, a wine cellar cooling system, and an exterior grade door.

Insulation helps maintain the cool temperature, while vapor barriers hinder mold infestation. An exterior grade entry door is purpose-built to provide an excellent seal to a wine storage room. Wine cellar cooling systems are specifically engineered to regulate the climate conditions inside a wine cellar space.

Custom wine cellars Vancouver are not only designed to reflect the personality of the collector, but also the so-called wine lifestyle. The interior of a wine cellar space can be customized to showcase the aesthetic taste of a wine enthusiast. Various materials like wood, metal, and reclaimed wine barrel components can be used to create wine racking, flooring, and an entryway door. Installing lighting fixtures and art pieces can create a dramatic effect, as well as add visual appeal to the room.

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Popular Wines Found in Canada Wine Cellars

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Canadians love wine. Wine growing and production in the country picked up, especially during the 60’s, when better technology allowed people to have cool-climate grapes. There is a fast-rising market of both wine drinkers and wine collectors in that part of the world, and their tastes tends towards the all-time favorites red such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot which are richer and full-bodied and exciting bottles that originate from Canada itself.

Well-Known Wines Stored in Canada Wine Cellars

Pinot Noir

PINOT NOIR CANADA1Pinot Noir has steadily gained a loyal following, and people have started stocking their wine racks with this wine variety, especially after the movie Sideways came out, and Canadians are no exception.

This wine came from the Burgundy region of France and is a wine variety that goes through a challenging winemaking process making it slightly more pricy when compared to other red wines. But this hasn’t stopped it from being featured in wine cellars all throughout Canada. Pinot Noir is cherished for its delicious hints of cinnamon, and nuances of raspberry, cherry, and strawberry. This wine is best paired with dark meat dishes, as well as chocolate and cheese.

MERLOT CANADA

Merlot

Merlot, which is from the Bordeaux region of France, thrives in cool temperatures. Wine storage for this variety is not a problem in Canada where some regions enjoy cooler climates.

In fact, top wineries in Canada love this wine variety. The fruity flavors and dark blue hue has hints of blueberry, blackberry, and even touches of cocoa. For beginners, it is recommended that they start by storing Merlot in their Canada wine cellars because its subtleness is a great initiation into the world of wine. This red wine is best consumed with shellfish, prawns, and red meat dishes.

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Canada Wine Cellars – Balance in Temperature and Humidity

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Wine storage and aging is one of the most meticulous interests that you can pursue. This is because wine requires a delicate balance of environmental factors so that it can age properly. This is why it is important to learn how to properly store and cool wine.

You should know the ideal conditions that should be present in your Canada wine cellar to make sure that your precious vintages age to their best possible potential with the passage of time.

Temperature

Wine storage temperature is a major factor a wine collector must take into account to keep his wine safe. It must be kept constant in your wine cellar. The ideal temperature for storing wine is different for reds and whites. For red wine, the best temperature is anywhere between 50-55ºF. For white wine, the optimal temperature is 45ºF.

Constant fluctuations in temperature will cause wine to age prematurely, resulting in “flat” flavour and wine faults and preventing the drinker from savoring the desirable flavors and aromas of the vintage. Remember to keep your wine away from direct sunlight too, as this adds unnecessary heat and light which can interfere with wine’s aging process.

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Keep Your Wines Safe in a Functional Canada Wine Cellar

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Choosing the wine storage solution that best suits their needs and budget is one of the challenges most wine lovers encounter. Proper preservation of wine is essential in graceful aging. This is why it is vital to store your wines in a space with the ideal climatic conditions – the wine cellar.

Canada Wine Cellars – How to Protect Your Wines

Whether you’re planning to build a Canada wine cellar in the basement, under the stairs, garage, or any extra space in your home, there are important components that you must take into consideration to ensure your wine’s safety.

Wine is very sensitive to temperature changes, high humidity, and too much exposure to sunlight. Constant temperature swings can speed up the wine’s aging process, which can negatively influence the quality and flavor of the wines.

The proper amount of humidity should also be considered because if it falls below the specified range, it can ruin the cork, thus introducing more oxygen to the wine and cause it to spoil the process. This is why an efficient wine cellar cooling system should be installed during the wine cellar construction.

You may opt for a less expensive & simple installation unit, but you will have some heat and noise exhaust at the back. A very quiet cooling system is a more cost-challenged approach. Either way, choose a cooling system that suits your personal needs and budget.

Wine storage racks and wine cellar doors are also essential components of a wine cellar. Looking at the wine bottles elegantly stacked on their sides can be a breathtaking experience. Add the fact that putting them that way keeps the cork moist, thus maintaining its sealing quality.

Wine cellar doors should also be both stylish and functional. Providing a tight seal on your custom wine cellar ensures that the efficiency of your refrigeration and cooling system is not compromised.

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