Wine Walls News

Find out the latest news from WineWalls

Tuesday 4th January 2022 – NEW WINEEMOTION SERIES 4 WINE DISPENSERS LAUNCH

Our sister company, WineEmotion UK, are pleased to announce the launch of the new Series 4 range of WineEmotion Wine Dispensers. With new technology including advanced tap features, coloured TFT displays and independent cooling systems for true dual temperature functionality, we are confident the new Series 4 range offers the most advanced solution available in the global marketplace today. For further information, please contact info@wineemotionuk.com

 

 


FRIDAY 19th NOVEMBER 2021 – WINEWALLS RECENT DESIGN PROJECTS

WineWalls have recently completed a couple of projects with bespoke design wine walls, working closely with the client’s design team to create a beautiful wine display from the initial concepts.

 

 

Cable Racking Wine Wall

This bespoke 4 metre cable rack partition wall wine display was created to provide minimal internal racking content whilst still maintaining ample capacity. Allowing light to flow through the display, cable wine racking offers a contemporary design and flexibility with capacity with removable rows to allow spacing out of the bottles to the client’s requirement.

 

 

 

 

Oak Backlit Wine Wall

This bespoke 3 metre oak wine wall was created to the client’s requirement by our workshop, for upright standing bottles that are backlit. With traditional biscuit joints and scribed sides, this beautiful display was designed to fit into the client’s space and match the interior styling, a stunning feature for the residence.

 

 


MONDAY 2nd AUGUST 2021 – WINEWALLS BECOMES FRIAX UK COOLING DISTRIBUTOR

WineWalls are pleased to announce we have been appointed a UK distributor for the Friax range of specialist wine cooling equipment. Since 2004, Friax have focused their technical knowledge solely on the service of wines. Ensuring perfect control of a constant temperature and appropriate humidity are at the heart of Friax’s ethos. Over the years Friax has been able to expand its range to offer a wide range of cooling equipment styles suiting all cellar characteristics, allowing WineWalls to further expand our growing range of solutions to our clients.

 

 


WEDNESDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2020 – WHAT OPTIONS DO WE HAVE FOR OUR WINE WALL?

When clients first get in touch with us, some have a clear idea of how they would like their wine wall or wine room to look. However, some enquirers have an open remit and often ask what options they have available?

The answer to that question is endless! There are many racking systems, glazing styles and cooling systems available that can all influence the overall look and design of your wine wall. Also if you have flexibility on the space that is available, we can design a wine wall around your home, your interior styling and also size it to meet any wine collection capacity requirements that you may have.

So, before you start dreaming of your ideal wine wall, we would ask you to consider the following options.

TO BE COOLED OR NOT TO BE COOLED?

Most wine walls, rooms and cellars need to be temperature controlled. This will ensure the wine being displayed and stored is kept at the correct temperatures to ensure the wine does not deteriorate in quality. If your wine suffers due to poor storage conditions, you will lose the investment that you have spent over the years on your wine collection. Therefore, for a relatively small capital investment, a temperature control system will give you the peace of mind that your cherished wine collection is in safe hands!

Given that most wine walls will hold a minimum of 250 bottles of wine, with some running into the 000’s, it is highly unlikely this wine will be consumed within 12 months and that you will want to keep this wine for a number of years. Creating the correct environment is therefore critical in ensuring the corks do not dry and that bacteria does not form, both of which can damage the wine inside the bottle and also damage labels, corks and foils thus devaluing the wine.

Finally, you may not want a temperature control system or be worried about capacity or storage conditions – what you want is a wine display with that WOW factor, something that people will remember. WineWalls can help you out on this front too, an ambient display with minimal racking but stunning glass and light design can create a magnificent showcase and design statement in your home.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Most locations within your home will be suitable for your wine wall, room or cellar. Most wine walls sit against an existing wall - either an internal wall or an external wall to the building. Some wine walls can be used as a room divider creating a stunning wine display central to a room, typically with glass to both the front and rear, and sometimes one or both sides will be glazed as well.

WineWalls have installed in every room of the house from the kitchen to hallways, living areas, dining rooms, games rooms, dens and even bedrooms. We have also provided wine walls and storage areas under the stairs, in pantries, basements, outbuildings and garages. So, location is not normally a critical factor, however space can be ….

OUTER SPACE … AND INNER SPACE

You may have a pre-determined space ideal for a wine wall, you may have a large area and are unsure what size to go for or you may have an existing room (or part of a room) that you wish to convert – whatever your own unique situation, WineWalls will guide you through the various options available in order to find the right solution for you, your home and your wine.

Considerations on space include the size of your wine collection now but more importantly how large it could be in the future; do you have sufficient depth to be able to walk into a wine wall once the racking is installed, or will it need to be a reach in wine wall only?; do you need to consider allowing for a technical compartment for the cooling system so it can be hidden out of view?; the space may be defined by the racking you require also, with different depths available all with minimum requirements.

CORRECT INSULATION = LONG TERM SOLUTION

If you are opting for temperature control, it is critical you insulate the space properly. A fully insulated shell needs to be created with a vapour seal around it to ensure the cool air stays in, and the external warmer air stays out. This ensures moisture does not build up within the walls. WineWalls can advise you and your builders on how this should be created to ensure the wine wall, room or cellar has longevity and the cooling system operates efficiently.

WINE (WALL) GLASS

For feature wine walls, glazing is important. WineWalls would normally recommend double glazing for use when a cooling system is installed but the heavier frames are not to everyone’s taste. We can now offer single pane glazing solutions for cooled wine storage spaces which provide a more contemporary and cleaner look should this be more in line with your style requirements. The glazing is an important consideration at an early stage, as it can affect the space, style and build requirements for the wine wall as well as the capacity requirements for the cooling system.

STYLE AND DESIGN – THE FUN BIT!

At last, the fun creative bit! Now all the groundwork is done, let WineWalls design the racking layout – we will make sure we create something unique for you and the space you have. WineWalls would request you look through some of our previous work on our website or we’ll send you some presentation files so if anything catches your eye, you can let us know and we can start drafting the design. It normally takes two or three attempts before we agree the design, after considering all of the factors above such as the specific location within your home, the space required, cooling system feasibility, wine collection capacity, insulation, glazing etc – no one said it would be easy!

With the move over recent years from basement wine cellars to wine walls as a central feature of your home, wine racking has had to evolve to cater for a wider range of personal styles that want to be reflected in wine showcases. WineWalls can cater for all tastes with our extensive racking supplier network. In summary these can be grouped into three categories:

Traditional: All wooden racks, with wood being treated to make humidity resistant, offer a warm and welcoming environment. With wood being such a flexible material, many bottle layouts can be used from individual lattice style racks, diamond bins, feature shelfs, display shelves, wooden case storage, pull-out shelves, drawers and cupboards. Often accompanied by traditional surfaces such as cork walls, stone and gravel flooring and granite work tops, and with barrels and wine gadgetry and souvenirs all on display to give a homely feel.

Contemporary: Modern clean lines using metal racks, acrylic pegs, cable racks and aluminium rods to name but a few will provide a contemporary and somewhat fun look to a wine display. Clever use of LED lighting and glazing help to emphasise the wine display as a central feature to your home. Often more spaced out than traditional layouts, a contemporary wine wall will typically hold less bottles but will showcase then in a unique style.

Hybrid: A popular choice in recent times, a hybrid racking layout will provide the best of both worlds of showcasing bottles but also offering functional storage for your wine collection. An example would be a combination of metal wine racks or cable systems for individual bottles to the top section, feature bottle shelf and countertop to the middle and wooden case racks and pull out shelves for expensive bottles to the base. Mixing natural elements of wood, metal and stone can ensure the wine wall theme mirrors the home’s interior design.

WineWalls have may years’ experience in creating unique and cost-effective solutions for our clients. If you are interested in creating a wine wall, wine room or wine cellar for your home, or have an existing area that needs attention, please contact us for further information.


MONDAY 29th JUNE 2020 – NEW CEILING MOUNTED COOLING SYSTEM

Wine Guardian’s latest model is a ceiling mounted cooling system that fills a gap (almost literally) in the market for a split system without taking up space within the wine storage area. A split system can be ideal for basement wine cellars or wine rooms that are located centrally within large floor areas, making it difficult to duct away the warm air produced by a ducted system. Unless you have the space to hide a ducted unit, the alternative has been to have a unit situated within the wine wall space either Through the Wall or set in the racking or on a wall, these options meaning the equipment can be seen inside the space.

The new ceiling mounted models are specifically designed to fit comfortably between ceiling joists, most of the unit is hidden above the finished ceiling area leaving just a ceiling grille in view. For projects where ducts cannot be run above ceiling or where space is limited, the new ceiling mounted unit is ideal as well as having the added benefit of low visual impact.

With all the features you would expect from a Wine Guardian system, the new ceiling mounted model is quiet in operation and has a light-weight corrosion-proof design, a paintable ceiling grille to match the interior style, an advanced condensate removal system and wireless controls. Couple this with WineWalls experience in cooling and wine storage design and installation, the ceiling split offers an additional excellent solution to ensure your cherished wine collection is in safe hands.

The new ceiling mounted split system is available in the UK from WineWalls, along with all of the Wine Guardian range.

 


WEDNESDAY 13th MAY 2020 – WINE WALL CONSIDERATIONS

A wine wall is a big investment for any property and we hope to set out in this news article the considerations you need to think about prior to determining if a wine wall is right for you. The great thing is that WineWalls is here to assist along every step of the way! From initial thoughts and consultation, budget proposals, detailed specification, procurement and installation and then after sales service, we have been creating wine walls for many years, bringing a unique and cost effective approach to the UK marketplace. We hope the following pointers help you if you are considering a wine wall for your home:

• Space – think of the space you have and whether this is sufficient for a wine wall – if you have less than 1.5m width or depth, then typically we would advise you to look at a pre-built wine display for a more cost effective solution. Nearly all widths and height can be catered for; depth can limit whether you can walk into the wine wall or have it as a reach in only. How much wine do you have, is there sufficient space for it all – if you have too much space, then you will have lots of fun filling it! If you have too much wine, then you will also have lots of fun drinking some of it to reduce the quantity! Is there space for the cooling system above or to the side, maybe behind in a room?

Depth – you would normally need at least 900mm between the racking and the glazing to be comfortable stepping inside the wine wall and moving around, bending down etc. Otherwise you are probably looking at a reach-in wine wall only and this would therefore mean having doors across the whole of the front for accessing the racking. Sliding doors can be provided, so if there was limited room in front of the wine wall these would be more suitable (rather than outward hinging doors). Very small depths can be accommodated but remember a wine bottle lying down is at least 300mm and if you want the wine wall cooled, then it is unlikely that cooling systems will fit within or above the space if depth is limited - you would need to look at a ducted system located close by.

Cooling System – some clients do not want the wine wall cooled, as it is for display and wow-factor only, a showcase for your wine (we would not recommend an ambient display for expensive wine collections). Most clients however would like both a functional wine wall for long term storage as well as a beautiful wine wall to showcase their wine collection. There are many things to consider when opting for the best cooling system – WineWalls will technically assess your location and advise on the best cooling system based on your space and surrounding area. However, if you are having the wine wall cooled, you will also need to ensure the walls and ceiling, possibly the floor also, are adequately insulated (typically with insulation panels built into the wall behind any plasterboard) and moisture proof (foil backing to the panels). Glazing may have to be double glazed to avoid condensation building up. These are all areas WineWalls will advise you on.

Racking – undoubtedly the fun bit for the client and for WineWalls is designing the racking. If you have read our previous news item (The Art of Wine Racking Mar’20) you will see there is a lot to consider – it is important to get the look right, however many other factors such as capacity, bottle shape, whether you have wooden cases, feature bottles etc will be considered by WineWalls prior to providing you with our recommendations.

Budget – the important bit! WineWalls appreciate budgets are not bottomless and therefore try to work with our clients on this important area. We would normally carry out an initial quick assessment via phone or email and then provide you with some initial ideas and budget costs. We will then listen to your feedback and make recommendations where appropriate. There are sometimes areas we can reduce costs such as simplifying the racking or re-assessing if it is feasible to have a more cost-effective cooling system in place. Normally arranging a visit to carry out a technical survey can be important in confirming certain aspects, we can then provide you with a firm proposal. Once this is acceptable, any design changes to the racking tend to have a minimal impact on cost either way.

Once we have provided an initial budget proposal or even a firm quotation following a site visit, you may feel a wine wall may be too much of a project for you. There would be other options for you and we ask you still keep in touch with us as we cater for all wine storage and display needs. For instance, a factory made wine display can be a very cost effective option, with no need for a separate cooling system or having to insulate the walls as it is effectively a plug and play integral wine cabinet. However, the wine displays WineWalls provide will still have that wow-factor that a wine cabinet cannot give – from 4-sided glass displays to floating wine bottle positions, warm cool or coloured Led lights through to an extensive range of finishes. You may also be surprised how you can integrate a wine display into a wall or other area within your home such as kitchen cabinetry and have a stunning feature wine display for your wine collection.

WineWalls create all styles of wine walls and displays, always putting the customer’s design ideas and wine storage requirements first. We have carried out many installations throughout the UK and offer a no obligation initial consultation should you be interested in installing a wine wall or display into your home. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any enquiry as we are always happy to help and advise!


TUESDAY 17th MAR 2020 – THE ART OF WINE RACKING

There are many styles of wine racking available today, the area of wine storage has moved on considerably from the old pigeon hole style racks we only used to see! With the shift towards bringing wine up from basement cellars and into the living area of the home, through the use of feature wine walls and displays, the range of racking has expanded to allow for all tastes. Traditional wooden racking can be provided for, but with the use of special stains and LED lighting, this can also be transformed to give a more modern look. Contemporary racks can present the bottle in a number of ways from floating, horizontal, inclined, flat and standing; materials used range from all types of wood, MDF veneer, metal ladder racks, acrylic pegs, cable systems, granite and slate customised racks and even sand within shelves (to provide total vibration free storage!).

Whatever your taste, WineWalls can cater for it and we have a large gallery beyond what is shown on our website to draw upon and provide you with inspiration. Part of our initial no-obligation consultation process will be to ask you to provide us with an idea of what you like, this normally will be you pointing out or sending us images that you particularly like the look and the feel of the wine wall. We will then ask you some simple questions that will allow us to then specify the most suitable racking layout for you, designed to allow your unique preferences – the racking requirements covered will include:

• The total number of bottles – do you have a certain bottle capacity in mind based on your existing wine collection or would you like us to work out the best capacity possible for the design, spacing and area you have?
• The size of the bottles – most clients have 750ml standard size bottles that may differ slightly in shape, length and diameter but will fit into most size racks. However you may have other larger bottles such as magnums, half bottles or maybe you have a large collection of champagne bottles that we need to know the base diameter sizes or heights, to see if they will fit into the racks we are proposing or look at alternatives for them to fit into.
• Cases – the wooden cases that some wines are supplied in may provide a very nice feature as part of your wine wall or display. You may have a number of wines to be kept in the cases and we would therefore need to know how many cases you have and whether you wish them to be sideways or end on (the ends typically show the producer’s logo) - we can then accommodate this into our design.
• Feature Bottles – you may have a special bottle or case that you wish to feature in your display, we can therefore create a focal point in the racks (such as boxed shelf or an inclined shelf) and even provide LED lighting to the area to really highlight this cherished wine.
• Glasses – You may have glasses and decanters and other wine related ornaments that you wish to store and display that we can incorporate within a cupboard or a wood or glass shelf area.
• Ledge – if you can walk into your wine wall or storage area, then you may wish to try the wine before leaving! This would require either a ledge built into typically wooden racking or a separate area to accommodate this.
• Lighting – some racks allow lighting to be incorporated to provide a wonderful additional feature to your wine wall. LED strip lighting can normally be applied to most racks and we can normally provide this via a remote control and dimmable so you can create and change the ambience of the wine wall.

WineWalls create all styles of wine walls and displays, always putting the customer’s design ideas and wine storage requirements first. We have carried out many installations throughout the UK and offer a no obligation initial consultation should you be interested in installing a wine wall or display into your home. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any enquiry as we are always happy to help and advise!


MONDAY 6TH JAN 2020 – WINE DISPENSERS FOR THE HOME

WineEmotion Wine Dispensers are becoming more and more popular in people’s homes and the range caters for all requirements with the most popular model being the Quattro 4-bottle dispenser. WineWalls are part of the same group as WineEmotion UK and will be happy to advise you on the best wine dispense system for your home, to date we have installed in residential kitchens, private wine cellars and bars, cinema & media rooms, leisure suites and a few man caves too!

As people drink more wine from home, they are also becoming more knowledgeable about wine, spending more on average per bottle and learning about how wine should be stored and preserved once opened. This is why a WineEmotion wine dispenser at home offers peace of mind to many owners – automatically preserving the wine once inserted for up to 30 days means you can open finer wines without the need to drink all of the wine before it perishes. For people who travel regularly or would like to try different styles of wines throughout an evening, a WineEmotion wine dispenser is the perfect solution giving you instant access to your wines, served at perfect temperatures.

The popular Quattro 4-bottle model can cater for two white wines and two red wines at the same time and can be programmed to automatically dispense three different size glasses or simply press and pour as you go. The installation is very easy, with the preservation gas now provided in handy 1 litre cartridges which can be installed remotely to the dispenser for easy changing over. Simply plug the dispenser in and off you go! The new 2-bottle MIA model is also available now in the UK for one white wine and one red wine, utilising the latest thermo electric refrigeration technology and all of the other benefits you would expect from a WineEmotion dispenser.


MONDAY 14th OCT 2019 – WINEWALLS CATER FOR ALL COOLING SYSTEM STYLES

Working closely with the leading suppliers of wine cooling systems, including Wine Guardian, Chambrair and Friax, WineWalls can cater for all cooling system styles. This means we can always find a temperature control solution for your wine wall or wine storage space, wherever it may be located within your home. A cooling system is important to maintain a constant storage temperature for your wine collection, normally around 14°C. WineWalls will advise you on the other important aspects required for maintaining a uniformed temperature, such as the correct insulation and glazing ratings, but the cooling system itself is undoubtedly the main consideration we start with when surveying your wine space. A brief description of each style of cooling system is listed below:

DUCTED SYSTEM

This is the most popular system that WineWalls installs mainly because it is an integral unit that is hidden out of sight from the wine wall or cellar. By fitting ducts from the ducted unit into the wine wall, typically in the ceiling or one of the side walls, the cooled air is supplied into the space and returned back to the unit via two grilles. Another duct takes the warm air produced by the unit away to an external location and sometimes we need another duct or just a simple vent to bring some fresh air ventilation into the area. The beauty of this system is all you will see are a couple of grilles inside your wine space, in your ceiling or walls … they can even be powder coated to match your paint finish! The main requirement for this type of system is for the wine wall or wine storage space to be close to an external wall or garage to duct the warm air into; also the closer the unit can be to the wine wall itself, the better – above or behind is ideal! With correct weatherproof housing, the ducted unit can be located outside. All technical aspects will be surveyed and presented to you as part of our wine wall proposal.

 

THROUGH THE WALL INTEGRAL SYSTEM

This is an integral unit that sits into a pre-built, framed hole to one of the walls of your wine wall or wine cellar storage space. The front evaporator end will be visually seen within the wine wall and the rear condenser end will be shown on the other side, sometimes this could be an adjacent room such as a utility or garage, other times it can be directly to the outside. WineWalls will advise you on the best position for this style of cooling system, the main consideration being which wall to put the hole through! We can fit a duct collar to the rear of the unit should it not be feasible for the warm air to disperse into an adjacent room, this duct would typically lead to an outside wall. The most simple and cost effective method to provide cooling to your wine wall or wine storage space and easily fitted by yourself or the client. Available for smaller wine storage areas, WineWalls will provide you with a technical assessment as part of our proposal.

 

SPLIT SYSTEM

A more traditional way of cooling an area, similar to air conditioning, a split system consists of an internal evaporator unit and an external condensing unit, connected by refrigeration pipework. There is no duct requirement but the internal unit will have to be within the wine space. However, there are ways this can either be integrated into existing wine racks or hidden behind a grill. A split system is commonly used where the wine wall or wine space is centrally located within a building, meaning there is too long a distance to an outside wall to duct off the warm air produced from a ducted unit. WineWalls have installed many split systems into large residential houses and into basement cellars, the main requirement is the feasibility of routing the refrigeration pipework and a suitable area outside for the external unit (sometimes a well ventilated plant room is also a good location for the external unit).

 

SPLIT DUCTED SYSTEM

A clever way of utilising the benefits of both a ducted system and a split system is to install a split ducted system. If the client does not want any equipment on view within the wine wall or wine storage space, then utilising this system is ideal when the location of the wine wall is central to the home or within a basement area. By locating the ducted unit in an adjacent store room for instance, or above in a ceiling void, two ducts can be run off into the wine wall ceiling or walls. Refrigeration pipework is then installed from the ducted unit to the external location of the system’s condensing unit. There is no need to duct off any warm air. Although a more expensive option, sometimes this is the only option available for the client to ensure their wines are stored at the correct temperature. Our specialist and fully accredited installation teams will ensure optimum performance of the system.

HUMIDIFIER

For perfect storage conditions, there is sometimes a need to control the humidity within the wine wall or wine storage space. With modern homes well insulated and ventilated, or if the wine was being kept in a traditional underground cellar, this requirement is not so important as the natural humidity level maintained will be perfect for wine storage (typically 70%). However, there are many factors that can affect humidity and WineWalls can provide a humidification system in addition to the cooling system. Typically this can be carried out after the cooling system is installed and the humidity levels assessed once a constant wine storage temperature is being maintained.

WineWalls create all styles of wine walls and displays, always putting the customer’s design ideas and wine storage requirements first. We have carried out many installations throughout the UK and offer a no obligation initial consultation should you be interested in installing a wine wall or display into your home. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any enquiry as we are always happy to help and advise!

 


Friday 24th Mar 2017 - Wine Cellar Sins

Common mistakes can be made by individuals who have an existing cellar or who are thinking of installing a wine cellar, whether to their private residence or as part of a commercial operation. Over the years, we have experienced various ‘wine cellar sins’ which can offer a useful guide for anyone considering investing in a wine cellar (or upgrading their current cellar).

1. Plan the wine you want to store

If you are starting from scratch, do not rush and buy wine in bulk for the sake of filling the cellar. For most avid collectors, this will not be an issue as they will already have a substantial collection they have built over the years. But for the beginner, the high investment of a wine cellar could lead to poor purchasing of wine to grace the shelves simply for the sake of making the wine cellar look full. Plan your wine purchasing first, know your wine cellar capacity and the wine that you want to fill it with and get it delivered only when the cellar is completed.

2. Store the wine properly

You need to think not just about the look of the cellar and it’s racking, but also the practicality of how the bottles are stored. Wine bottles ideally should be stored lying down and side by side, so consider racking that allows this. Often there are different styles of racking that can break up the monotony of the same design against a given wall for instance, but will providing for the best methods of storing your wine. Wines with corks should always be led down, screw cap wine can be stored upright. Consider non-standard bottle sizes such as magnums and above, also maybe a feature wall. However you do not want bottles stored in a way that could result in them moving or falling over and therefore disturbing the wine inside.

3. Store the wine for the right amount of time

We often see owners who are very meticulous with their records of their wine, some that have been collecting and purchasing wine for many years and decades. There is a reason for this! Different wines age over different periods of time. You must take advice from your supplier if the wine you have purchased is ready for drinking, will age over 1 or 2 years or even 25 years! Opening wine too early can result in missing out on the many benefits of storing wine – not only taste, but also the financial investment.

4. Store the wine in the right conditions

It is not just enough to create a superb looking cellar, it needs to maintain the ideal climatic conditions for your expensive wine collection. Think of it as a larger wine cabinet, a perfectly sealed room protecting your wine from the adverse effects of temperature fluctuation, poor humidity, inadequate ventilation and UV light (see below). Wine should be stored ideally between 12-15⁰C and humidity 65-75% to prevent corks drying, bacteria forming and to protect and ensure your wine ages perfectly and meets its full potential. In our experience there is only one way to ensure these conditions are met and that is by installing a climatic control system.

Also consider the effects that these ideal wine climate conditions may have on neighbouring rooms (to the sides, above, below). If you are constructing your cellar form new or converting an existing area, you need to install a vapour seal to the outsides borders of the walls, ceiling and floor of the room and use the correct thermal insulation to 100% guarantee no condensation will form on the internal structure of your building.

5. Do not let light into the cellar

Your wine cellar must be void of windows, or at least ensure windows block out sunlight, as together with UV rays from fluorescent lighting for instance, these will penetrate the bottle and affect the quality of the wine. Use lighting that is non UV and try to keep your wine in the dark as much as possible. Think of the classic French Chateaus with their underground cellars – perfect conditions for wine!

6. Secure your wine!

Most customers know or have an idea what is in their wine collections, either through purchasing or monitoring records or via their wine supplier. What they may not be able to ever do is replace it if the wine is not available in the marketplace. Therefore the extra cost of an alarm system or more secure door entry system when compared to a standard door lock can seem insignificant in hindsight should your cherished wine collection ever be at risk from theft or vandalism. Often the cost of such systems pails into insignificance when compared to the replacement cost of the wine itself.

7. Selecting the correct wine too drink and serving it correctly

Every bottle of wine has a story to tell. It is obvious to us that most of our customers love wine, love sharing wine and enjoying it with friends and family. It is important not only to plan and select the correct wine for your intended use, whether food pairing or as a gift, but also to make sure it is served at the correct temperature. We often supply dual temperature wine cabinet(s) for our cellar customers so they can move wine ready for drinking and bring it to the ideal serving condition. This can be very subjective, but remember that chilling white/rose wines can kill the taste and red wine will normally warm a little when it hits the glass or is held in the hand. Each wine is different, reach grape variety has its own style and there are many useful guides readily available. It would be a shame to care for your wine over many years through investing in a wine cellar without putting a little thought into that final key moment – the tasting!

WineWalls.co.uk can assist you in your wine cellar design, installation, racking and temperature/climatic control systems. Please call us for further advice and information.


Friday 10th Feb 2017 - WHY INSTALL A VAPOUR SEAL TO YOUR WINE CELLAR, WINE POD OR WINE ROOM?

If you are looking to create the perfect storage conditions for your wine collection, WineWalls will advise you on why a vapour seal is very important in the construction of your wine cellar, wine pod or wine room. Installed during the construction phase, a vapour seal is critical in controlling the temperature and humidity inside the wine store. It acts as a barrier from the internal conditions of your home, which in turn are a factor of more external influences. If you have a humid climate, then the seal will prevent warm moist air from entering the space – this can cause mould and bacteria forming. In drier climates, it helps to regulate the humidity within the wine storage space.

A vapour seal is achieved by effectively wrapping 6mm polyethylene around the space. This is achieved by applying the 6mm poly to the warm side of all the wine cellar walls, ceiling and floor on the surface behind the insulation. For interior walls, wrap the 6mm poly around all joists and studs completely, that’s all the exposed areas both between and around every single one. This is the only way to guarantee a complete and therefore impenetrable vapour seal – and there is only once opportunity to install the vapour seal before the plasterboard is fixed – it is therefore important to gain professional advice and ensure professional contractors are employed.

But why go to all this trouble, what could happen if you don’t plan and take these steps?

The ideal storage condition for your wine collection will be between 12⁰C and 15⁰C, and 55-75% humidity – it depends on the wine and personal preference largely, also external factors that may limit certain extremes of these ranges. These conditions will not be the same as those found inside your home, which typically could be kept at 21⁰C. Therefore you’re trying to make a portion of your home - the wine cellar, wine pod or wine room – cooler than the rest of your home. This will mean that the moisture and humidity that is created inside your home will move towards the cooler wine store and will inevitably condensate on contact with the much cooler fabric of the wine store.

Also, consider fluctuations of temperature and humidity within your homes as the seasons change, heating and air conditioning systems are switched up or off, more sunlight entering the home, windows and doors left open – these factors mean a fluctuating environment which is normally never noticed or generally accepted by you and your family. However, you will need to prevent these fluctuations from affecting the wine store, as the key to creating ideal storage conditions for your wine is not only establishing the correct temperature and humidity levels, but maintaining them all year round.

Without the right barrier between your wine storage space and the rest of your house, condensation will build up within your walls and quite literally destroy them as it penetrates the materials and they start to decay. A vapour seal is therefore very important, to protect and maintain the ideal wine storage environment within your wine cellar, but also to prevent the environment from outside your wine storage space from getting in!


Monday 6th Feb 2017

We've been to Bexhill today installing a beautiful Parete Vino wine display at The Waterfront Private Members Club. Here you see in our before & after images how detailed planning to the millimetre results in a trouble-free installation. Features to this stunning wine showcase include gold leaf shaped frame, coloured RGB lighting, custom sized central open shelving & temperature controlled storage for inclined bottle positions - red wine one side, white wine & champagne on the other. Now waiting for the wine delivery! Good luck to Claudio & the team for opening later this week!

 

 

 


Send us a message

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have or to send you some further information. Just send us a message in the form below.

Other ways to reach us