As much as people like to complain about the economy, you know it’s making a comeback when the Washington Post runs an article called “Cool Wine Cellars are Hot Additions to Homes.” We barely have room to put a desk in our house, but hey, apparently there are plenty of lucky people out there who can put wine cellars in their basements. We salute you, rich people. You give us something to aspire to when we hit the jackpot.
Why are wine cellars becoming the new cool thing? A recent Gallup poll shows that while beer has been the runaway favorite alcoholic beverage of Americans in the past, it’s actually tied with wine now. People are loving what the wine industry has to offer and they’re building temperature-controlled wine cellars to celebrate their newfound love of vino.
The typical wine cellar can set a homeowner back anywhere from $40,000-$60,000, but the most critical component of the storage is making sure it is properly insulated. The insulation has to cover the floor, ceiling and walls to control the environmental conditions and keep the wine protected. If you’re investing in an amazing wine collection, you obviously don’t want it to end up covered in condensation or mold. Experts say you want the wine cellar to stay around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 55 to 70 percent humidity.
If you aren’t ready to spend an entire year of college tuition on a wine cellar, there are definitely other options for wine enthusiasts on a budget. Many people opt to put a wine fridge in their kitchens, whether they have them built-in or purchase one for the counter top. What you choose will ultimately depend on how much you want to spend and the size of your wine collection. If you have 12 bottles of less, there are several counter top options that are under $200. Even if you have up to 50 bottles, you can still find a fridge that is well under $1,000 – probably even closer to $500.
If you have a huge collection and simply no space, there are also professional wine storage services that will be happy to hold your prized bottles for you. No, you won’t be able to crack open some vintage Merlot on a whim, but you’ll rest easy knowing your coveted collection is somewhere safe.