So you have a nice collection of wines but are clueless how to store them at your home. Wine cellar got to be your solution. A wine cellar is a room where wine is stored and also aged. It is the best place to store wine as it provides a consistent temperature and darkness to the wine, thus preventing it from getting spoiled. Storing the wine in cellars also improves the wine’s flavor and aroma.

Underground wine cellars are passive cellars where temperature is constant while above ground cellars have a climate control system by which the temperature and humidity is controlled.

Wine cellars can also be built at home. Contrary to the belief, building wine cellars at home is not very expensive. But you need to consider a few things before building your cellar.

Location- An ideal place for the wine cellar would be the space under the staircase. Underground cellars are also very popular but they might not be feasible for everyone. Some people build their cellars in attics but the temperature in attics can change drastically, so always avoid it. For the people who live in flats, a cupboard or wardrobe can serve the purpose.
Temperature- Temperature is the most important criteria of a wine cellar. Higher temperature can spoil the wine in no time. The ideal temperature of the cellar should be between 45–64 °F (7–18 °C). A constant temperature of 13-14 °C is perfect for both temporary storing and aging wines. Also painting white color to the outside of the wall and black inside the cellar helps in temperature control.
Humidity- Some dampness in the cellar is required as it prevents the cork from drying. If the humidity is too low, you can place a water container in the cellar. But excessive humidity is harmful for the wines, so try to avoid it.
Light and Vibration- Cellars always need to be dark. Light damages wines so the internal light in the cellars should always be moderate. Also avoid using UV lights in the cellars as they can damage the wines. Vibrations and disturbance in the cellar should also be avoided as wines need to sleep for maturing properly.
Also make sure that there are no strong odors and scents in the cellar, as strong odors can penetrate through the corks and might change the flavor and taste of your wine.