Yes, it’s only May and we’re already sounding the alarm…er, providing a gentle reminder, that the blast furnace knows as summer in Arizona is just around the corner. But we’ll skip the lectures on bathing in sunscreen and focus instead on the health and wellbeing of your wine collection. Because even if you’ve already got the beautifully designed wine storage scenario of your dreams with an ideal cooling system, you’ll still want to pay special attention to the care of your beloved bottles during the months of triple digit temps.
Here are a few ideas to keep your favourite sips in stellar shape:
Bordeaux on Board – It may not seem like a big deal to leave your wine in the car while you make multiple stops on an errand run. But a potentially bumpy ride plus the unrelenting heat penetrating the vehicle can turn your pricey bottles into vinegar in just 20-30 minutes.
Consistency Is Key – While maintaining a range of 53-57°F is ideal, it’s even more important to avoid rapid, extreme or frequent temperature swings. Not only could you end up with a “cooked” wine (resulting in flat aroma and flavours), the expansion and contraction of the liquid inside of the bottle may push the cork out or cause seepage.
Don’t Sweat the Humidity – In the land of “it’s a dry heat,” even mentioning humidity may seem odd. But even when we’re not in the midst of monsoon season, it’s an important component to consider. Dry air may pull moisture from the corks, which would let air into the bottle and spoil the wine. Conventional wisdom says that a 70 percent humidity level is ideal, but anywhere between 50 and 80 percent is considered safe.
Not-So-Good Vibrations – While this isn’t necessarily a summer-specific tip, it’s a good idea to avoid putting wine bottles where they will be exposed to physical vibrations, such as on top of a refrigerator. Movement agitates the wine and also speeds up chemical aging. Wood racks are not only attractive, but can serve as a natural shock absorber.
Be Selective About Storage Space – If you’re just starting your collection or are still considering the reasons for custom wine storage, it may be tempting to store your valued vintages wherever you have room at the moment. However, if at all possible, do not use your attic or garage. These locations are infamous for trapping heat inside during the day and cooling down too much at night.
Ready to get a jumpstart on your wine storage needs for summer? We’d love to chat to you about options that deliver your desired design within budget and on time. Team EWC is just an email, phone call or text away!