Top 10 Benefits of Installing a Wine Cellar Climate Control System
Unfortunately, very few of us are blessed to live in a castle or a French provincial chateau — which makes underground cellars hard to come by. At Air Shepherd, we specialise in cellars that mimic the conditions of a natural subterranean cellar. With customised racks and steel wine cellar doors, the designs beautifully showcase your collection. But why is climate control important? In this article, we’ll outline the 10 most important benefits of a climate control system for your cellar.
1. Optimal Temperature Control
Rule one of wine storage: keep your collection cool. Most Australians live in an environment that regularly reaches over 20°C, which makes climate control essential. If you’ve ever tasted a wine with a nutty, spoiled fruit flavour, there’s a good chance it was ‘cooked’ by exposure to heat. Proper (i.e. slow) maturation depends on temperature, as a wine cellared at 23°C will age up to eight times faster than at 13°C.
After temperature, humidity regulation is the next greatest asset of a climate-controlled wine cellar. Humidity is particularly important for bottles of wine with a cork — and your most expensive bottles are likely the ones with corks. An environment that is too dry will make corks turn brittle, ruining the seal of the bottle. An environment that is too humid will make your cork damp and porous, also ruining the seal. A compromised cork allows air into the wine, causing oxidisation.
3. Protection from Temperature Fluctuations
It’s not enough to have your wine at the right temperature; your wine cellar needs to be able to prevent temperature fluctuations. Wine that is stored too warm is bad, but wine that has swung from cool to warm is at even greater risk. Wine expands as it warms and then contracts as it cools, creating a ‘pumping’ effect that will allow air into the bottle — even in screwtop wine. A loose closure will mean oxidisation in whites and reds, and a loss of effervescence in sparkling wines.
4. Preservation of Wine Quality
When you’ve spent money on a great bottle of wine, you want it to taste just as delicious after cellaring as when you bought it — if not better. Proper climate control protects the wine’s flavour, aroma, and colour, ensuring that each bottle matures as the winemaker intended. Keep in mind that serving temperature and cellaring temperature are very different. Reds, whites, roses and sparkling all cellar at the same temperature: 12-14°C. Climate control keeps each bottle at this sweet spot to preserve quality.
5. Prevention of Mould & Mildew
Unlike your standard fridge, a wine cellar isn’t designed to generate intense cold or remove any ambient humidity. A wine cellar climate control system aims to replicate the conditions of an underground cellar instead. This means a carefully controlled amount of humidity and enough ventilation to prevent mould and mildew. Lack of controlled airflow can cause mould to grow on your labels and even on your corks. If mould makes its way through the length of your cork, your wine is ruined.
6. Extended Wine Longevity
Wine storage is a delicate balancing act. You want to create an environment that helps your wine mature and develop, but you want it to develop slowly. Temperature and humidity fluctuations cause your wine to age prematurely, while wine cellar climate control systems allow your wine to age for years without damage. That bottle of Margaret River Cabernet can be cellared for more than a decade if you’re using climate control.
7. Enhanced Value of Wine Collection
Not all collections are the same. Unlike model trains and decorative plates, many wine collections actually appreciate in value over time. With this in mind, it’s not unusual for a wine cellar to contain bottles that are earmarked for sale rather than personal enjoyment. So, if you’re sitting on a few bottles of Grange, climate control is a must. In order to sell an old bottle of wine for the increased value, you’ll need to be able to prove it was kept in a climate-controlled cellar.
8. Protection from Light Exposure
UV is the enemy of aroma. In the same way that a bottle of perfume left in the light will lose all fragrance, wine also loses its essence in the sunshine. Exposure to UV light destroys all the natural fruit in the nose and flavour of a wine, leaving you with a flabby, dull bottle of plonk. UV light also creates hydrogen sulphide compounds in your wine, which will mess with both the tannins and colour.
9. Reduced Risk of Odour Contamination
Fridges can be a death knell for wine. In addition to the imperceptible vibrations that speed up chemical reactions and ageing, food fridges are an uncontrolled environment. The food stored inside can wreak havoc on the taste and aroma of wine. Wine cellars keep your bottles away from bolognese, curry and anything else pungent enough to contaminate the wine.
10. Improved Organisation & Accessibility
Have you ever forgotten a wine? Dug out a Sauvignon Blanc from the back of a closet only to find it’s been ‘cellaring’ for six years too long? Air Shepherd specialises in wine cellar and wine bar wall construction that keeps your collection front and centre. When your wine is within reach, it’s easy to keep it all organised.
Get Control with Air Shepherd
Your wine collection deserves a climate controlled cellar. Temperature and humidity consistency will help prevent oxidation and extend your wine longevity — allowing you to enjoy your wine to the fullest. Share your vision with Air Shepherd today and let us construct your dream wine cellar.
