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Storing Wine

This page has two sections:

• Home Solutions
• Outsourcing

Home Solutions

If you plan to collect wines for the longer term, you need to ensure optimum storage conditions, namely an environment that is free from fluctuations in temperature and humidity, has good ventilation, and is free from vibration, light, and odours.  The temperature should ideally be between 13°C and 18°C.  Incidentally, don't store wine for too long in a fridge.  The constant vibration and cold will have a negative effect on its flavour.  

Unless you are the proud owner of a French Chateau, a good practical solution is a free-standing wine cellar which comes with a cooling unit to regulate the temperature.  Capacities range from 20 bottles to 500.  If you have limited space and a kitchen renovation pending, some of the smaller units can be built in.  If expense is no object, you can have a custom built cellar designed with modular climate control and racking systems but if you are into the big bucks, be sure to obtain a certified appraisal of your collection and build it into your insurance policy.  I suggest touching base with a reputable auctioneer such as Ritchies if you ate not sure how to go about this.

Visit the following companies to do some comparison shopping:

The Wine Establishment are located at 250 The Esplanade.  They offer a large range of free-standing modular and custom built wine cellars, modular climate control systems, and modular racking systems.  They also have a variety of wine accessories.

Rosehill Wine Cellars Inc are located at 339 Olivewood Road, Toronto.  They have a variety of free standing wine cabinets, wood and metal racking systems.  They also design and build custom cellars and, in addition,  provide a design service for people who want to build their own cellar but purchase the equipment from them. They also have a variety of wine accessories.

Wine Cave Inc. are located at 117 Roncesvalles Avenue.  They have a variety of wine cabinets, racking systems and accessories.

Strictly Cellars & Accessories  are located at Sussex Centre, Suite 401, 50 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga.  They have a full range of cellars, racking systems (redwood or steel) and cooling units.  However, you need to call in advance for an appointment.

Outsourcing

The Fine Wine Reserve Inc. is a custom designed state-of-the-art wine storage facility located at King Street West and Spadina Avenue.  It offers 24/7 access, robust security, a climate controlled environment and a conveyor system.  Clients have a choice of their own private alarmed unit (8-600 cases) or storage by the case with delivery & inventory services.  There is also a members lounge and tasting room which can be used on a casual drop-in basis or rented for special occasions.
 

A 2nd  option is Urban Cellars, located at Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue.  It offers a climate-controlled cellar with stable cool temperature of 13^o C and 50% humidity and four layers of security.  Pricing is on a per case basis per month or year.

Iron Gate Cellarage together with a sister organization, The Vin de Garde Club provide an integrated approach to buying and storage.  For those individuals who would like to own a wine collection but don't have the expertise to figure out what to buy, how much to spend, and when to drink it, let alone where to store it, the Club handles everything for a fixed contribution per month.  The proprietors describe it as North America’s first “mutual fund of fine wine”.  Then Iron Gate takes care of the storage side of the equation.

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