Wine Cellars Maintenance: Why Wines Need Extra Care During Summer

Wine lovers know how much storage and seasons affect the taste of wine. Particularly in summer, when the conditions are somewhat challenging. 

Is summer unfavorable? You might ask, but while the sunshine is great for plants, beach walks, and picnics, it actually wreaks havoc on wine. And wine lovers also know that to enjoy good wine, it should be served at the optimum temperature and in the best condition. Therefore, it’s essential to master the proper preparation and storage of wine, no matter what the temperature is. 

In this heat, refrigeration still remains a grievous faux pas–even in the peak of summer. So, if you have a home wine cellar, we shall discuss what heat does to wine, how you can prevent this, and enjoy your wine. 

The Effect of Heat on Wine

Wine has a main enemy, and it’s heat, specifically red wines and certain grape varieties. If you store wine at temperatures above 70°F, it can prematurely age. This hastened ageing process will cause the wine to lose its rich aromas and flavors. You would expect complexity, but the heat would turn the wine into an unbalanced and flat beverage due to heat exposure. 

Let us further break it down for you. The wine is “cooked” when it reaches temperatures around 80°F, which makes its flavor dull and unpleasant. It also smells disappointing. 

The excessive heat disrupts the chemical structure of the wine and causes the cork to shrink or expand. This causes oxidation, where air enters the bottle, ruining the wine. Both red and white varieties usually suffer the most since their flavor profiles are so complex. 

How can you recognize wine heat damage?

Wine heat damage isn’t always obvious. However, you can keep an eye on these telltale signs:

• Dulled flavor: If your wine tastes less bright or flat than usual, heat exposure is the likely reason.
• Unpleasant odor: Heat-damaged wine can often smell like vinegar or stewed fruit.
• Cork’s position: If the cork is sticking out from the bottle, it means the wine has been exposed to heat for too long.

Protecting Wine During Summer

Now that you know what heat does to wines, let’s talk about preventing heat damage.

Obviously, you need to store the wine in a stable, cool environment where the temperatures range from 55°F to 60°F. Meanwhile, the humidity level should not go above 70% to ensure the corks are airtight and moist. 

If you love wine, you need a way to store it to maintain the right conditions. Custom wine storage it is! 

Do you already have a wine cellar? Or are you looking at custom designs from companies such as Wine Cellars of Houston? Either way, let’s talk about optimal settings and maintenance for summer. 

Optimal Glass Wine Cellar Settings for Summer

As mentioned, temperature fluctuations affect wine preservation and can prematurely age your collection. If you can adjust the settings, you can make sure that every bottle remains in the best shape throughout the year. In this section of the article, we’ll explore how your collection can adapt to the storage conditions in your modern glass wine cellar during summer.

Warmer temperatures in summer pose a serious threat to maintaining consistent conditions. Here’s what you need to do:

• Monitor spikes in temperature and ensure constant cooling.
• To combat dry air, increase humidity. This can also dry out corks, which causes oxidation.
• Use units specifically designed for maintaining the correct temperature range.

Monthly Modern Glass Wine Cellar Checklist

To keep your wine storage in the best conditions during summer, let this checklist guide you.

1. Check Humidity and Temperature Levels

Environmental conditions are everything to wine preservation. During warmer season, do the following once a month:

• Verify the temperature with a reliable thermometer.
• Use a hygrometer to measure humidity levels.
  

2. Check Cooling Units

The cooling units ensure stable temperatures inside your glass wall wine cellar. Here’s what you’ve to do every month:

• Check for any malfunction, such as fluctuating temperatures or strange noises.
• Clean vents and filters to ensure unobstructed airflow.
• Examine refrigerant levels. Schedule professional services in case of any irregularity.
  

3. Clean Shelving and Every Surface

Keeping shelves and floors, even wine cellar doors, clean is critical to prevent mold. Here are some steps:

• Remove all bottles.
• Dust and wipe the shelves with a microfiber duster or soft cloth.
• Clean every surface with a mild solution of vinegar and water. You can also use non-abrasive, gentle cleaners.
• Dry all the surfaces before putting the wine bottles back

Summer is supposed to be about al fresco dinners and delicious wine. So, don’t let the temperatures get you down! With consistent monitoring and regular checks, you can enjoy the best of summer with your favourite wine.

Author Details: 

This is Anil, I am a professional SEO Expert & Write for us technology blog and submit a guest post on different platforms- technootech provides a good opportunity for content writers to submit guest posts on our website. We frequently highlight and tend to showcase guests.