As wine becomes increasingly popular as a hobby, people are looking to experts to improve their wine-drinking experience. One of the most common storage methods that pros use is a home wine bar -- but how do these wine bars work, and how can you set one up?
In this article, we explain everything you need to know about how wine pros use wine bars to store their bottles of wine. We’ll also give some insights on finding the best home wine bar to purchase and explain all the equipment you’ll need for setting your wine bar up. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Should I Purchase a Bar with Wine Storage?
As far as wine storage goes, home bars with wine storage are one of the best solutions. Choose one with ample storage space for your wine collection and in a style that matches your home decor.
Portable home wine bars are ideal for hosting in your living room or dining room. While these wine bars generally have a small storage capacity, they’re perfect for storing all your essential wine bottles at the ideal serving temperature just before you use them.
You can generally find wine bars with compressor-based or thermoelectric cooling systems, so it’s safe to say that you also have plenty of options regarding how to keep your wines at the perfect temperature.
Many manufacturers also produce home wine bars without a cooling solution. If the wine cabinet is insulated correctly and offers doors that let you keep the bottles in the dark, it can quickly become an excellent storage solution for red wines.
It’s important to note that there are a few drawbacks to using a bar with wine storage. If you purchase a portable wine bar, your wines may be damaged from the vibrations of moving the wine bar. You should consider keeping the bar stationary or storing bottles with little to no sediment.
Also, if you purchase a wine bar without a cooling system, you may be limited in the types of wine you can store. White wine can’t be kept at room temperature for longer than six months without substantial negative changes.
How to Set Up Your New Home Wine Bar
Once you’ve got your new home wine bar, it’s time to start storing your wine, glassware, and serving tools within reach. However, considering how many things there are to set up, it can be challenging to know where to start. You can set up your new home wine bar in a few simple steps.
Store Your Wine in Your Home Wine Bar
To start, you’ll need to add the wine to your home wine bar. Storing your wine is easy as long as you know the correct rules for bottle storage.
You should start by inserting your bottles into the wine bar rack to store them horizontally. This is essential to do with any non-carbonated wine with a natural cork. It keeps the cork moistened through the wine’s contact with the cork and deters oxidation.
Of course, you should only store some bottles of wine horizontally. You can store bottles with rubber, plastic, or metal stoppers however you prefer, but keeping them horizontal can save space. You should store sparkling wines and champagnes upright to reduce pressure on the cork.
Next, you should ensure the wine bar stays within the correct temperatures. If the wine bar has a cooling solution, you’ll need to correctly configure the humidity and temperature settings for the type of wine you intend to store.
Red wine should be kept between 55 and 65°F. Rose wine should be kept in temperatures ranging from 50 and 60°F. You should keep white wine in ranges from 45 to 55°F. Sparkling wine should be kept at a temperature of 40 to 45°F.
If your wine bar doesn’t have a cooling solution, you can aim to keep the room around or close to 65°F to preserve the wine best while keeping your room comfortable. You can store dark red wines at this temperature over the long term, but you should consume other types of wine within several months.
You should also pay attention to humidity when storing your wine in a bar with wine storage. It’s generally recommended to keep the humidity level from 50 to 80 percent, as this will best preserve the cork without oxidizing the bottles or encouraging the growth of mold and mildew.
Lastly, you must ensure your wine bottles aren’t exposed to light. This includes the light from your home’s fixtures! You should look to purchase a bar with wine storage doors that will completely block light when the doors are closed.
Add All the Essential Wine Tools
Once you’ve added the wine to your bar with wine storage, gather your wine tools. This will make it significantly easier to enjoy your wine, as you won’t find yourself searching for a missing decanter later. Keep these things on a wine bar cabinet shelf or drawer if you can to make sure everything is close by when you need it.
Here are some tools you should add to your home wine bar.
- Wine bottle opener. If you purchase wine with natural corks, this is a tool you won’t be able to live without.
- Wine glasses. You should have the proper type of wine glass for every kind of wine you regularly consume. At a minimum, it’s recommended to have a red wine glass and white wine glass. You should also have champagne flutes. A stemware rack is an excellent way to display your glassware and can make an attractive addition to a display cabinet.
- Wine stoppers and champagne stoppers. This will save you the frustration of having an opened bottle go bad early.
- Wine decanter. If you regularly drink young red wines, this tool is a must-have to enjoy your wine correctly. There are many types of decanters to choose from, but you only need to start with one.
- Foil cutter. It can be a frustrating experience to find that you need to cut through the foil and don’t have any tools to do so. Having a foil cutter already on hand makes this situation easier to deal with.
- Proper bar towels. You should ideally use lint-free microfiber cloths to clean and polish your wine glasses.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the benefits of having a bar with wine storage?
- A bar with dedicated wine storage allows for proper organization and preservation of wine collections. It maintains optimal conditions for aging, making it easier to access wines for entertaining or personal enjoyment. It also adds aesthetic appeal to the space, showcasing the collection.
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What are the ideal storage conditions for wine in a bar setting?
- The ideal storage conditions include a temperature range of 45°F to 65°F (7°C to 18°C) with a humidity level around 60-70%. Wine should be stored in a dark place to avoid UV light exposure, and bottles should be kept horizontally to keep the cork moist.
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What types of wine storage solutions are recommended for a home bar?
- Recommended solutions include:
- Wine racks or shelves for easy access.
- Wine coolers or refrigerators for maintaining consistent temperatures.
- Wine cabinets or cellars for more extensive collections, providing the right conditions for aging.
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How can wine professionals organize their wine collections in a bar?
- Wine professionals often organize collections by varietal, region, or vintage to facilitate easier selection. Labeling shelves or using a digital inventory system can help keep track of wines and ensure that bottles are rotated based on their optimal drinking windows.
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What tools do wine professionals use for storing and serving wine?
- Essential tools include:
- Wine coolers for temperature control.
- Corkscrews or wine openers for easy access.
- Decanters for aerating wine before serving.
- Wine preservation systems to extend the life of opened bottles.
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Is it necessary to invest in a wine fridge or cooler for a bar with wine storage?
- While not strictly necessary, investing in a wine fridge or cooler is highly recommended for those serious about wine. It provides a controlled environment that preserves the quality of the wine, especially for long-term storage, and allows for proper serving temperatures for both red and white wines.
Conclusion
One of the most popular home wine storage methods with professionals is using a home bar with wine storage. It’s easy to wonder how to set up a similar bar in your home! Using the advice in this article, you’ll find it simple to set up your stylish home bar.