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Wine Storage
Guide
Everyone knows about the marvels of wine. This
goes beyond mere consumption as it includes a love of knowledge of
this fine liquid. Knowing the history of wine and wine storage can
be as pleasing as the drink itself, and as well, this article may
both entertain and even provide a few hints towards how to better
keep vino as we traipse through history. Wine storage is as old as
the seemingly magical liquid itself. The different means of storing
these majestic reds, whites, and blushes has changed only
moderately, considering the vast expanse of time that wine has
existed.
Effectively storing this valuable material became quite necessary as
time wore on. This is especially true for the times of want, such as
that of the feudal systems in both the east and the west, as wine,
along with beer, provided a necessary dietary supplement that could
be found in few other foods or beverages.
Initially the juice of the gods was kept in wine skins and bladder
skins, made from the hides and bladders of different animals. As
time went by and pottery became more available, wine would be
stored, as in ancient Israel and Greece, in large clay pots that
held many liters of wine. This was an extremely intelligent and
effective means of wine storage as it kept the air and heat out, and
so is still utilized in some parts of the world today.
With the advent and subsequent economical features of glass, much
wine found its way into glass, crystal, and porcelain vessels. This
was especially true for the rich, who were generally the only people
that could afford such luxuries. Little has changed in the way of
immediate wine storage -that is, of keeping the wine itself. Glass
is still the preferred medium, despite the plastic revolution, as
wine simply does not keep as well in plastic, nor does plastic
aesthetically please most people as well as glass does. Glass quite
simply connotes a more serious nature befitting this drink which is
truly an artistic product.
The Only true change to the proper keeping of wine is the storing of
the bottles themselves. This must be done so that the bottles and
corks are not damaged, and so too the liquid inside, as temperature
shifts and light can be so deleterious. For this there are many
similar options, but that is a subject for another article. In the
below sections, we will look at the different wine storage systems
and the subject of wine and storage from a commercial perspective.
In other parts of the guide, we will look at the different furniture
available for wine storage.
Wine Storage Systems
Today more people are drinking wine than ever
before, with the possible exception of the classical periods of
Greece and Rome. Contrary to popular belief, wine production in the
United States is greater than that of beer and far exceeds imports
of the amber hop-flavored substance. With this in mind, it is
natural to believe that at least a small amount of 'wine hoarding,'
storage, that is, is also on the increase. For this reason wine
collectors must consider their wine storage system.
Unlike beer, wine has a rather long shelf life (in some cases in
excess of a century), depending upon numerous factors such as the
wine maker, type of grape(s) used, and the wine storage system. A
system is, indeed, necessary if one is to collect and store their
favored bottles of vino, due to the sometimes eggshell-fragile
nature of wine.
Wine simply must be guarded against certain factors or else a fine
wine may be relinquished to something dull and even unworthy of
drinking, providing it is still drinkable at all, as some wines can
easily turn to vinegar if not properly protected. The two greatest
culprits are light and heat.
With regards to light, it is sunlight in particular that harms wine.
A good wine storage system, for this reason, must ensure that the
bottles be kept in near or complete darkness. One might be tempted
to think that indirect sunlight or even electric light is not so
deleterious, but that person would end up drinking swill with a
frown upon his or her lips.
Temperature is of equal importance. As every wine can stand a
slightly different amount of heat and cold, it is best to read the
label on the bottle or to speak with a wine expert with regards to
each individual wine type. However, one of the often overlooked
aspects to temperature is not only to not go to extremes of heat and
cold, but of the fluctuations of temperatures which can harm the
wine rather quickly. For this reason, along with the sunlight
sensitivity factor, the preference for a wine storage system is to
keep it in a basement, preferably one that is subterranean.
Wine and Storage
In this day and age life is not easy. Things are
becoming more complex, life is moving faster and faster, and little
in life becomes cheaper, whereas most things become either
considerably more expensive, or obsolete. In these trying times one
of the great bastions of tranquility has been alcohol, and of the
many types of alcohol, wine has taken on a prestige and a mystique
that entrances while it soothes. As people become more involved in
this glorious beverage, wine and storage of wine have become points
of interest for growing numbers.
Wine and storage are important as twin subjects as wine by nature is
tempermental and must be kept under certain strict light and
temperature conditions. Wine historians tell us that in the middle
ages, when wine was gaining a hearty comeback from what it had been
in classical ages, many monks were the creators of different types
of vino, whether straight from fermentation or by way of blending
multiple types.
However, the rediscovered art of winemaking was a tempestuous bout
through the ages. Due to the vagaries of knowledge of fermentation,
often wine would be stored in bottles long before an adequate amount
of fermentation had been achieved. Wine and storage became a bit
dangerous for this reason and subsequently numerous monks, friars,
and even priests would experience first-hand the explosions caused
by a buildup of fermentation gasses. Many monks were scarred for
life as fragments of glass went flying towards them.
As the ages wore on, wine and storage became more of a science
whilst also becoming a passion for many. This has become especially
apparent in California, where numerous wealthy people have purchased
wineries with the sole intent of making fine Chablis, Shirazes, and
other such paragons of alcohol. Today California ranks among some of
the top wine making areas in the world. Much of this is due to the
amazing sunlight and ocean wind that the Sunshine State is so privy
to.
Another aspect of this is simply the storage abilities of the wine
growers of this fine region of the world. The adage is an
unimpeachable truth that one can make the finest wine in the world,
but if it isn't stored properly (and later tasted), then it holds no
value
To conclude, wine storage is an art on itself
that had been build up through the centuries. There is no perfect
system and each has its supporters and critics. This guide aims to
give you a basic idea on the subject and help you make the correct
decision for your home.
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