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The experts say that every wine is a world of its own, not only because of the way it is made or its flavour, but also due to the way it is stored and when it is drunk. However, there are a few general rules that are worth following.

1. Temperature

It is recommended that you store wines at a temperature of around twelve degrees centigrade, although it can be a little higher. If the storage temperature is very high, above twenty degrees, for example, the product will evolve more quickly and there is a risk that it will be ruined. Another big threat to wine is temperature variation, which is why it is generally recommended to maintain a constant temperature.

2. Humidity and ventilation

The usual recommendation states that the optimum humidity range is between 65% and 80%. As well as being humid, wine storage areas must have good ventilation since wine is a product that breathes through the cork. 

3. Darkness and absence of vibrations

Despite the dark-coloured glass of wine bottles, radiation, particularly ultraviolet radiation, can damage the product. Furthermore, it is vital to avoid shaking the bottles so that a good wine can age properly.

The majority opinion is that the best way of preserving wine is in natural conditions. As such, if you have a stone cellar which is five or six metres below ground and fulfils the required conditions, you will not have any problems tasting and offering your friends wines which are in perfect condition. If this is not the case, there are still many other options.

In the absence of cellars, you can set up your own wine store in your basement or garage so long as it meets the required temperature and humidity conditions. Underground, insulated, north-facing areas are the most suitable. Remember that brick and concrete are not good insulators. You can buy materials with a high insulating capacity, such as Styrofoam, which is sold in sheets and is easy to install. 

Obviously not all homes have a suitable place to store wine naturally. In this case, the dreamed-of home wine cellar can be created through building work and air conditioning. There are various options available on the market, such as built-in wine cabinets and cellar conditioners. The former are the most convenient option. They come in different finishes and have capacities ranging between three or four bottles and 700 or more bottles. Their prices vary as much as their capacity. The smallest models can be purchased at prices starting at eighty euros.

These small (or large) cabinets, which can be integrated into other pieces of furniture or into kitchen units, maintain wines at a selected temperature, with the optimum light, humidity and insulation conditions. As with fridges, they must be switched on whilst they contain wine, however, just like their big brothers, there is now technology that guarantees lower electricity consumption and a low level of noise.

Where cellar conditioners are concerned, it is possible to find models that are specifically aimed at preserving wines. They are similar appliances to air conditioning units, although they also control light and humidity conditions. This type of more expensive device is designed to convert one of our bedrooms into the perfect wine cellar. They can condition rooms of up to fifty metres squared. It is advisable to complete this kind of installation with good insulation and wine cabinets, where you can store bottles in the correct position.

Investing in a wine cellar requires time and money, but it is a dream pursued by many people. As the composer and director Gustav Mahler said: “A glass of wine at the right time, is worth more than all of the riches of the earth”.

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