Wine is a complicated drink, and it’s only fitting that so many people put serious thought into building their own wine cellar. A wine cellar is useful for those who like to store several bottle of wines. It can be as simple or as complex as you desire, so long as you keep one important ideal in mind: avoid temperature fluctuations.

The Perfect Temperature

Every wine cellar should ideally reach no higher or lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. For most people, that means constructing a room or a case specifically designed to maintain a steady temperature. Smaller wine cellars are sold in department stores, good for less than 20 or 30 bottles.

Those who hold more often convert a pantry cabinet into a wine cellar. For that, you may need insulation and a decent air conditioning unit built in.

Humidifier

A humidifier helps keep your wine from drying out. A dry, warm room isn’t conducive to good wine. Above 75 degrees and wine begins to slowly bake. Moisture in the room prevents the cork from drying out, which in turn prevents oxidation from occurring. Ideally, you want your cellar to have a humidity level near 55%. That’s fairly difficult to do outside of the basement without some machinery to help.

Sealing

The final concern is sealing the cellar. Many people will install a refrigeration unit, and then reface the door with a wood door or something to match the style of the home. This works especially well if you’re re-facing the door of a pantry.

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