Wine Cellars

Wine cellars cool the wine gently and slowly, avoiding fluctuations in temperature.

Fresh air helps maintain sufficient humidity. In comparison, refrigerators cool quickly and have low humidity. Even with the correct temperature, dehydration due to quick cooling or fluctuations in temperature can have adverse effects on the wine due to evaporation or oxidation.

If you don’t have a wine cellar, and you occasionally drink wine, a wine refrigerator can be a decorative, stylish addition to your kitchen. Just keep the thermostat set in the mid 50s. Put your wine glasses in the main refrigerator for half an hour before you pour your wine. Remember that your hands have a temperature of 98.6 degrees. After opening cool red wine with your hot hands, be sure to decant the wine or allow it to breathe until it warms up to serving temperature.

Reprinted with permission of www.galtwine.com

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