Over the past 10 years I have moved maybe 20 times. Probably more. The point- I have lived A LOT of places. And packed more times than anyone ever should in a lifetime. Since landing in sunny Cailfornia 3 1/2 years ago, I have been in 4 apartments. Maybe I get bored easily. In any case, wine storage has always been a bit of an issue. Mainly for lack of space, lack of money to invest in any type of cooling system and lack of funds to actually buy enough wine to cellar or store. And I am always moving around and that’s just one more thing to have to move. Lately, I have been acquiring some special bottles that I actually want to keep for a little while. I would also like to protect them- like my children. That’s kind of what they are. My little wine babies.
In the past I have stored my wine in the following places: next to my shoes in a dark corner of a closet, in a dark back cabinet of a kitchen, in the fridge and under a bed. I am kind of still amazed that I waited until now to buy an actual wine cooling unit. Most wine biz people I know have way fancy versions and ones built into the kitchen counter or one that holds 100 bottles or some other such thing. Me? I have a brand new 15 bottle monster! 15! And single temp! I know- it’s not much but it was on MEGA sale at Target (score.) And it has a little light that I can turn as I sit alone in the dark…to stare at my sleeping wine babes.
the entrance into the “wine cave“
OK- so the wine is still in my closet. But it’s a step up, nonetheless. My drink now whites are in the kitchen fridge. My drink now reds are in that there little cooler with my save for later reds. I have the temp at 57 degrees F so I can get a bottle of drink now red out and have it close to service temp. And it’s not so far above a 55 degree cellar temp that my save for later reds will suffer at all. So, where do you keep your wine? And at what temp? Inquiring minds would like to know.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I just stumbled across your blog ( off Joythebaker) the other day and I’m obsessed. A woman after my own heart! I’m ever so slowly trying to sneak into the world of wine after realizing its what I spend all the my time/money/mental energy on anyway. I’ve bought a few books ( most notably Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2009 Edition) to study. Any other go-to wine bibles you suggest? Thanks for your writing.
we keep our little wine fridge in our living area and it serves as an end table (holds a lamp, the remote, etc). probaby not the best place but it works!
easy access. that’s the way to go!
hey there liz- thanks for reading! as for books anything by Jancis Robinson is fantastic and educational. The master sommeliers recommend Brian Julyan’s “Sales and Service for the wine professional” to study for the exams. My “wine bible” is Vino Italiano by Joe Bastianich. A fantastic resource for all things italian- it breaks down each region and even has little blurbs on food and a recipe from mario batali.
Thanks!
its important to have a good shoe to bottle ratio in the cellar…. im a bit too heavy on the shoe side right now…
i’m at 55 with the wine cooler – but i’m diggin the 57 angle.
its important to have a good shoe to bottle ratio in the cellar…. im a bit too heavy on the shoe side right now…
Loving your blog! I found it because of Joy the Baker and the whole Homfries creation. Yup I listened to your podcast and I can’t wait for new ones. My wine cooler is on my kitchen countertop, it kind of looks like yours but mine only holds 6 bottles and it has a small light too so I sit in the dark and just watch over them too
thanks berenice! so happy you like the podcast!
{ 3 trackbacks }