Building a wine cellar

Who has never dreamed of one day owning their own wine cellar? However, we do not all have an appropriate spot in our basement available for this use. The modular cellar provides an interesting alternative to the traditional wine cellar, as it may be installed in practically any room of the house as long as the climatic conditions are controlled.

The cellar allows you to store your wine in modular racks which can hold from 12 to 15 bottles. You may add or remove sections depending on the size of your wine collection. Before deciding on the location for the cellar, it is important to know how many bottles you wish to store and subsequently, the number of racks to assemble. It is important that the a cellar is used for wine only as the presence of food increases the risk of contamination to your valuable bottles.

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Ideal storage conditions
Choose the location or an existing room
Determine the location of the air-conditioner
1. Take the measurements
2. Prepare the air-conditioner bay
3. Insulate the walls
4. Install the air-conditioner
5. Assemble the racks
6. Install the thermometer/hygrometer on the inside of the cellar

Ideal storage conditions

A cellar should provide ideal storage conditions. The ideal temperature oscillates between 10 and 16 °C and fluctuates as little as possible. The level of humidity is 70 %, but it may vary between 65 and 75%. When the relative humidity is too low, the cork may dry out and consequently retract, allowing the wine to penetrate it. The result : a « corked » bottle. On the other hand, too much humidity encourages the development of mould on the bottles. It is possible to use a portable humidifier to control the level of humidity in the cellar.

There must also be air circulation inside the cellar, as the absence of ventilation encourages the development of moulds and bacteria, resulting in unpleasant odours which may be transmitted to the wine through the cork. The wine needs to be stored in the dark as UV rays, through oxidation, irreversibly degrade the tannins in the wine. Vibrations must be avoided. They cause the deposits to remain in suspension in the wine and break the molecules of certain chemical components of the wine.

Choose the location or an existing room

You may construct the cellar from scratch or install it in an existing room. If you opt for the latter solution, choose the room and place a thermometer and a hygrometer (or a combination of the two) in it for 24 hours in order to measure the temperature and humidity. The coldest temperature will be observed around 7 or 8 in the morning and the warmest temperature between 5 and 8 in the evening. Once the ideal location has been determined (temperature from 10 to 16 °C humidity from 65 to 75 %), the room should be insulated and ventilated in its lower level.

Determine the location of the air-conditioner

You should install your air-conditioner next to the entrance door, near an electrical outlet, if the configuration allows for this. You will have easy access to regulate the appliance and will be able to unplug or plug it in as needed. This appliance recycles the ambient air from the house and the outer face of the air-conditioner opens out onto another room.

1. Take the measurements

An air-conditioner is usually composed of two sections : the inner face and the outer face. Using a tape measure, measure around the sleeve which joins the inner face of the air-conditioner to the outer face. Allow for a play of ¼ in to be able to insert the inner face into the hole with ease.

2. Prepare the air-conditioner bay

2.1 

From the sill, measure the height of the rough opening for the air-conditioner (air-conditioner bay). Measure and indicate the height of the header on the wall studs. Use a level.

2.2 

Cut two reinforcements (twin-columns) and nail them to the studs.

2.3 

Build a header, adjusted to fit between the main studs, above the reinforcements (twin-columns). Use two 2 x 10 in (38 mm x 235 mm ) planks nailed together. Place the header on the reinforcements and nail it to the main studs.

2.4 

Construct the bottom support between the twin-columns by putting together two pieces of 2 x 4 in . Place the support on the small studs (jack studs) and nail it in place.
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