Small-scale or on a big scale, a wine cellar should have the following elements:

• proper insulation
• racks to protect and display the bottles
• good temperature controls
• proper lighting levels

Your wine cellar can be an example of your taste - perhaps you simply want practicality, and as much storage in a small space as possible. Or, you may want a show piece where you can entertain friends and sample wines in luxurious surroundings. Have your needs in mind when you design your cellar.

Also be aware that a wine cellar doesn't have to be reserved for a country estate, as people from all walks of life who enjoy a fine bottle of wine build or have wine cellars installed.

You will want to come to the design process with an understanding of how you view your wine collection. Some bottles resemble art pieces, so you may want to display them prominently. Sometimes you may want to showcase a rare vintage, or instead decorate your space with wine-related arts or crafts that bring ambience to the space.

A variety of storage designs sympathetically combined will give your wine cellar the most versatility. You can buy modular storage systems that assemble in a customized fashion, or you can have a carpenter create the storage (this can be the more expensive option).

Basic storage racks (in wood or metal) will make certain that the wine remains effectively ventilated and separated. You may also want an area set aside for wine accessories, like glasses, corkscrews, bottle openers and wine chillers or buckets.  Your wine cellar can also have purely decorative elements such as handcrafted doors or mood lighting.

Red wines benefit most from being stored in a cellar, in particular varieties that acquire body from long-term storage. A lot of people imagine that cellars must be located in the basement or else beneath the house, though they can actually be located in any area of the house as long as the temperature and humidity levels can be sufficiently controlled. Make your wine cellar a personal tribute to your passion for wine.

If you want to read more about wine cellars, click over to http://www.infoaboutwine.com

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Wine Cellars – What Do You Need To Know?

The first thing you need to know when it comes to wine storage is to place your bottles on their side somewhere relatively cool and free from direct light. Doing so will minimize damage (mainly in terms of deterioration of taste and flavors) to the wine and allow you to store it for as long as you desire. Still, learning a bit more about wine storage can help you maximize your wines quality.

When it comes to preserving wine, temperature is the thing that makes the most difference. Wine should normally be stored between 50-60F, although a range of 45-65F is considered OK. If your temperature is too low, your wine will not age properly. Whereas, warmer temperatures can cause wine to age prematurely (not in a good way).

Fluctuating temperatures hurt wines the most. A steady temperature at either acceptable extreme being better than storage that every day goes from 45F - 65F and back again. The temperature should never fluctuate more than 5 degrees a day; this is especially important for red wines, which can be more damaged than whites from fluctuations.

Humidity is also important as, unless its properly maintained, it can cause the cork to dry out, and this allows air to come into contact with the wine (which damages it). Try to keep your storage areas humidity level at around 70 to 80 percent, you can buy a hygrometer to keep track of this.

A wine cellar is the ideal place for storing wine because it maintains the optimal humidity and temperature; however, they aren't practical for most people because of their size and cost. If a wine cellar isnt practical for you, place your bottles in a garage or basement to achieve similar conditions. Making some space in either and purchasing a wine rack and temperature / humidity gauge are highly recommended if you intend on storing more than a few bottles of wine at a time.

As for how long to store it for, this depends on the type of wine, the region the wine was made in, the technique used to make it, and the particular year the grapes were harvested in. However, as a general guideline, whites normally do not age for long, while reds age for 5-10 years. If you're starting out, consult a free online aging chart to to assist you with this aspect of wine storage.

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Wine Storage Guide

Enjoying Wine With Your Meal

A good wine will add to the flavor of the food, assist in digestion and, in the case of red wine, be beneficial in keeping your heart healthy. There are several theories regarding which wine to match to a particular food. However, my suggestion is that if it tastes right, it is right. While some gourmets may argue with this, there seems to be little downside in pairing food and wine in this manner.

Cooking With Wine

French and Italian chefs and home cooks are renowned for their use of wine in food. Both cuisines make extensive use of both red and white wines in meal preparation from appetizers to sauces to desserts.

Pairing food and wine in this way avoids any alcoholic taste in the food as heating the wine or other typically boils away the alcohol portion.

The other rule to consider when cooking with wine is never to cook with a wine that you don't want to drink. This will often mean opening a bottle of wine just for cooking but the flavor boost to your dinner is worth it. Do not be tempted to cook with that wine that has been sitting on the kitchen counter for the last week since it was opened. If you wouldn't drink it, don't try to cook with it. Get some more tips about cooking with wine, storing wine and tasting wine at Wine Cellar Secrets.

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Three Tips For Pairing Food And Wine