The art of storing wine goes way back to ancient Egypt. In those days, wines that had been properly stored and allowed to age tastefully were only served to the pharaohs. Wine tastes exquisitely good if it properly stored, and that is why only the elite class of society in ancient Egypt were given the privilege of drinking properly stored wine.
Today, although good tasting wine is available and accessible to all people, we still put great value on proper wine storage. People who do not put importance in the proper storage of wine will not be able to taste wine in its best quality.
Any wine enthusiast will tell you that wine collecting is not just acquiring ANY wine. Beyond preference, wine collectors acquire wine bottles which will make their collection unique from others. Most of the time, the wine collection is deemed substantial, if not complete, when essential wines are already stacked sideways in one’s custom wine cellar.
For wine collectors and enthusiasts who are fond of inviting guests over for dinner or hosting wine tasting parties, it is a must to have some essential wines in your wine cellar. This is because one should be ready to have a particular wine on hand to pair with a particular dish or menu.
One cannot just pull out randomly any bottle from the wine cellar. Doing so will neither enhance nor complement the dishes served. Worse, it may ruin the gustatory experience. Below is a list of red wines that wine collectors must include their custom wine room and their characteristics.
Must-Have Red Wines in Vancouver Wine Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular among red wines. It originated from Bordeaux, France but is now grown in many wine producing regions around the world.
It is full bodied with dark fruity flavors. The variation in flavor is dependent on the region where the grapes are harvested.
Cabernet sauvignon has the characteristics of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, warm spice, and black cherry. As it is full bodied, it is best paired with red meats, pasta in heavy red sauce, lamb dishes, rich flavored cheeses, and sometimes, dark chocolates.
Merlot is the most widely planted grape in the Bordeaux region in France. It is used as a blending grape but it can also be used as a varietal of wine. It is dark blue in color and has fruity flavors similar to Cabernet Sauvignon.
However, Merlot wines are generally medium bodied and have fruity flavors of cherries, blueberries, blackberries, plum with black pepper, and cocoa tones.
Wine has certain needs and demands in order to have superb quality. We can say that a wine is of high quality if it tastes good and its flavor and aromas are pleasant to the nose and palate.
Wine needs to be protected against its worst enemies in order to achieve the quality that you are looking for. What are wine’s worst enemies? What can you do to prevent them from harming your precious collections?
Factors That Affect Wine Quality & Tips for Proper Wine Storage
Heat
Too much exposure to heat can damage wine, affecting its overall characteristics and ability to age gracefully as well as its physical and chemical stability. Heat damage is usually caused by improper and abusive shipping processes or improper wine storage at home or commercial wine stores. Signs that wine was damaged by heat are a brick red-brown color and sherry-like taste.
UV rays can be detrimental to your wine because they cause wine degradation. Too much exposure to sunlight will cause the wine cork to dry out.
They will also accelerate the wine’s aging process, leading to premature aging and development. As you have noticed, most wine bottles are tinted. This can somewhat protect the wine against the sun’s exposure just like sunglasses do to our eyes.
If you love your wines, store them in a cool, dark place and away from direct sunlight. For your wine cellar lighting, opt for incandescent bulbs which emit minimal UV light.
One of the important wine cellar accessories is a wine refrigerator or wine cooler. This a unit used for the short term storage of wine. Its primary purpose is to chill wine before serving. Even with a wine refrigerator, you need to find the best one for your beloved wines.
Here are two basic characteristics of the best wine coolers:
1. Ability to Cool Wines to the Right Serving Temperature
Wines are served at a different temperature from its temperature when it was stored. Wine coolers or wine refrigerators are primarily used to cool wine to the proper serving temperature. Generally, wines should be served at a temperature of at least 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
