Any wine enthusiast will tell you that wine collecting is not just acquiring ANY wine. Beyond preference, wine collectors acquire wine bottles which will make their collection unique from others. Most of the time, the wine collection is deemed substantial, if not complete, when essential wines are already stacked sideways in one’s custom wine cellar.
For wine collectors and enthusiasts who are fond of inviting guests over for dinner or hosting wine tasting parties, it is a must to have some essential wines in your wine cellar. This is because one should be ready to have a particular wine on hand to pair with a particular dish or menu.
One cannot just pull out randomly any bottle from the wine cellar. Doing so will neither enhance nor complement the dishes served. Worse, it may ruin the gustatory experience. Below is a list of red wines that wine collectors must include their custom wine room and their characteristics.
Must-Have Red Wines in Vancouver Wine Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular among red wines. It originated from Bordeaux, France but is now grown in many wine producing regions around the world.
It is full bodied with dark fruity flavors. The variation in flavor is dependent on the region where the grapes are harvested.
Cabernet sauvignon has the characteristics of blackberry, blueberry, black currant, warm spice, and black cherry. As it is full bodied, it is best paired with red meats, pasta in heavy red sauce, lamb dishes, rich flavored cheeses, and sometimes, dark chocolates.
Merlot is the most widely planted grape in the Bordeaux region in France. It is used as a blending grape but it can also be used as a varietal of wine. It is dark blue in color and has fruity flavors similar to Cabernet Sauvignon.
However, Merlot wines are generally medium bodied and have fruity flavors of cherries, blueberries, blackberries, plum with black pepper, and cocoa tones.
Written by Holly Peters - Custom Wine Cellars Vancouver Comments Off on Vancouver Wine Cellars – Enemies of Wine & How to Avoid Them
Wine has certain needs and demands in order to have superb quality. We can say that a wine is of high quality if it tastes good and its flavor and aromas are pleasant to the nose and palate.
Wine needs to be protected against its worst enemies in order to achieve the quality that you are looking for. What are wine’s worst enemies? What can you do to prevent them from harming your precious collections?
Factors That Affect Wine Quality & Tips for Proper Wine Storage
Heat
Too much exposure to heat can damage wine, affecting its overall characteristics and ability to age gracefully as well as its physical and chemical stability. Heat damage is usually caused by improper and abusive shipping processes or improper wine storage at home or commercial wine stores. Signs that wine was damaged by heat are a brick red-brown color and sherry-like taste.
To avoid your wines getting “cooked”, they must be stored in a wine cellar or wine cabinet with the right wine cellar refrigeration system that has the ability to maintain temperature between 55-57 degrees Fahrenheit. Choose efficient and easy to install cooling units such as those offered by Blue Grouse Wine Cellars.
Light
UV rays can be detrimental to your wine because they cause wine degradation. Too much exposure to sunlight will cause the wine cork to dry out.
They will also accelerate the wine’s aging process, leading to premature aging and development. As you have noticed, most wine bottles are tinted. This can somewhat protect the wine against the sun’s exposure just like sunglasses do to our eyes.
If you love your wines, store them in a cool, dark place and away from direct sunlight. For your wine cellar lighting, opt for incandescent bulbs which emit minimal UV light.
Written by Holly Peters - Custom Wine Cellars Vancouver Comments Off on Canada Wine Cellar Racks – Choosing the Right Wood Material
I have a newly built Canada residential wine cellar and my wine bottles are ready to be displayed and organized in wine racks. There are a lot of designs and kinds to choose from, and the decision has to be made- one that I won’t ever regret. This calls for a thorough analysis of my options, as I consider choosing wine racks very important for my wine collection.
In the market, there are options for wooden or metal wine racks. However, I am leaning more towards choosing wooden wine racks as these go well (or better) with the design and concept of the rest of my home. Canada wooden wine racks are also more versatile, and when properly made can be as durable as metal wine racks. Since wood does not conduct warmth or coolness to the wine bottle, I am assured that my wines are properly stored and aged.
Most Popular Wood Species for Wine Rack Construction
There are three kinds of wood usually used in wooden wine racks. These are pine, mahogany, and redwood. It is important to choose the right kind of wood which is conducive to the environment inside the wine cellar. As the wine cellar environment is cool, damp, and dim, it is wise to use the right kind of wood to avoid mildew inside the wine cellar. Mildew can harm my precious wine collection and ruin my investment.
Pine is the most economical wood to use and the most versatile as it absorbs wood finish well. Redwood is another type of wood which is resistant to moisture and mildew as redwood has natural oils that do the work. It can also be stained for customization.
Written by Holly Peters - Custom Wine Cellars Vancouver Comments Off on Preserving Wine with Wine Cellar Cooling Systems Vancouver
Wine cellar cooling systems play a very essential role when it comes to the taste, texture, aroma, and quality of wines. Storing wine in a wine cellar with an unreliable cooling system can cause premature aging and wine oxidation, leading to wine spoilage. This is why choosing a wine cellar cooling system in Vancouver is a crucial thing to do when you are a wine enthusiast or wine collector.
But how do we choose the right wine cellar cooling system? What are the things that you need to consider? Will your friends’ suggestions or recommendations work for you? Does the brand name really matter?
A Quick Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wine Cooling System
Wine Cellar Cooling Units offered by BLUE Grouse Wine Cellars
The first thing that you need to consider when purchasing a wine cooling unit is the size of your wine cellar. You also need to determine the number of wine bottles that you plan to store, the type of wine racks that you will be using, the size and the number of windows and doors, and the type of wine cellar lighting.
The type of wine cellar cooling unit should match the result of your calculation and estimates. Remember, one crucial mistake can compromise your precious investment.
Written by Holly Peters - Custom Wine Cellars Vancouver Comments Off on Vancouver Wine Cellar Solutions by Blue Grouse Wine Cellars
Engaging in a wine cellar project requires time, money, effort, and of course, a professional wine cellar builder. The main purpose of custom wine cellars is to provide wines the ideal storage conditions needed for graceful aging. Wines which are stored in a room without stable temperature and humidity will result in wine faults, thus wasting your precious investment.
In many parts around the world including Vancouver, Canada, many wine collectors have invested in a residential wine cellar so they can easily access their wines in addition to providing a climate-controlled environment for their favorite vintages. A wine cellar is also a great place for wine tasting parties with friends.
Is your wine collection growing or do you plan to add more to it in the future? If yes, and you’re using wine racks or a wine cabinet to store your collection, now is the time to build a wine cellar for your bottles. Any area in your house can be converted into a wine storage room – leave everything to your trusted Vancouver wine cellar builder.
Blue Grouse Wine Cellars is a company based in British Columbia with the utmost dedication in providing wine storage solutions and excellent customer service to their clients.
Vancouver Wine Cellar Solutions – Which One is Best for You
Blue Grouse Wine Cellars offers two wine cellar solutions – modular wine cellars and custom wine cellars. Let’s identify the difference between the two.
Modular Wine Cellars