TheEngineer

[TheEngineer]

How do you guys ever not run out of rack space....I've got over 50% of my stuff back in boxes and cases as I can't catch up to my purchaces lately....anyone else frustrated with this? (BTW, Far Niente Chardonnay is a prized wooden case as it properly holds the many variations in burgundy bottles now.....but you can never get them.....)

[Innkeeper]

One option is to drink the extra stuff.

[winoweenie]

Another is to build MORE space.(giggle) WW <IMG SRC="http://wines.com/ubb/wink.gif">

[hotwine]

I try to buy no more than can be safely stored.... and turn over inventory of all but the good stuff fairly frequently. Consume a bottle each evening with dinner, contribute a couple to group gatherings each week, give away to friends and employees.... it all helps to keep inventory in check.

[wondersofwine]

I'm in the same quandary as you Engineer. I bought a unit that at maximum holds I believe 210 bottles (or is it supposed to be 240?), but with extra pullout shelves it only holds about 160 (?) And my collection is closer to 300 bottles. Many are in boxes. I try to reduce buying but that doesn't hold up for long with mailings from Loring Wine Company, Kosta Browne, Williams Selyem and constant e-mails from Carolina Wine Company. I figure if I didn't buy any more I would have enough for three years! I also try to share with friends or fellow wine enthusiasts but I'm not reducing the inventory.

[brappy]

In the same boat here....<P>This topic just came up. Have 15 cases on the way. That on top of an overstuffed cellar, small fridge full and an extra 15 cases still sitting in boxes. Its not a bad position to be in but one I thought I'd never be in 5 years ago. Would build another wall racking system but we're getting ready to sell the house.<P>Better than having too few.....<P>mark

[winoweenie]

In the words of the old Batchelor credo to live by, " Better too much than not enough" WW

[dananne]

Our biggest problem is with the oversized bottles so many folks are currently using, particulary Oregon Pinot. They don't fit into the cellar slots, so we have to stack them on top in the cellar. I can't tell you how many times one has slid off the other bottles and fallen out recently. My foot probably could, however . . . <P>

[TheEngineer]

I had built the area when I had about 300 bottles and was assuming that I could manage around a floating inventory of about 800 bottles, many to lay down and a portion to drink......that was two years ago when I moved in.....time and space flies and vanishes.<P>I agree with you DA, those big bottles are bothersome as they do not fit. Worse yet, other areas such are using them, the latest for me being the 2005 Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Jadis....grrr....that have more empty space under the bottle and space within the bottle.<P>Brappy...15 cases huh? Someone is in this stuff baaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddd. <IMG SRC="http://wines.com/ubb/smile.gif"><P>I think I should've doubled my space....now to convince my other half....waddaya think KC...you've met her...do you think she will go for is or will she cut me up into chunks and bury me in the back yard....<p>[This message has been edited by TheEngineer (edited 08-09-2007).]

[Kcwhippet]

If the lovely Genevieve shares just a bit of your passion for wine, I don't see how she would deny you, Eng.

[TheEngineer]

She hids her weapons well KC.......I know who's boss....and it ain't me... <IMG SRC="http://wines.com/ubb/smile.gif">

[brappy]

I get home late..... Can get 'em in while she's asleep....

[Daveyjones77]

The wooden cases are great for aging even in the cellar. They are added protection and more acute regulation of moisture. Like having a humidor in your wine cellar. Apparently old wines still in the original wooden cases are worth more. Thats why those Lafitte are in the condition they are.

[TheEngineer]

Nice......................... <IMG SRC="http://wines.com/ubb/smile.gif">

[tw]

I seem to always have this same problem. i need to build a wine cellar in the half of the basement thats not finished, but it seems too expensive.

[hotwine]

tw, it's only expensive in terms of the wines that are trashed because they're NOT stored in a good cellar.

[tw]

For the most part my daily drinkers are in the un-finished part of the basement. It is humid enough(at least in summer) and around 67 degrees. I would prefer it to be more stable and have more storage though, and stay within a grand or so.

[Kcwhippet]

I read a report recently that suggests the humidity in the cellar doesn't really play as much a role as people once thought. The humidity inside the bottle is 100%, so if the closure is uncompromised, there's no appreciable transfer through to the outside. In fact, for short term storage (less than ten years) the transfer of water molecules from the wine to the cork is sufficient to allow the wine to be stored standing up with no degradation.

[hotwine]

I wouldn't argue those points about wine in the bottle. My problems with high humidity have had to do with degradation of the labels.... loosening of the glue attaching the labels to the bottles, so the labels become like snowflakss on the cellar floor. I had a LOT of problems with that, prior to chilling my cellar.

[tw]

I prefer to have good wine to good labels. Right now my cellar is a little too high on humidity and the labels are paying for it. A little curling on the fringes doesnt bother me too much though. I might just stick with what I have then. The basement should be fairly moist all year round(bottles also laying down), and the temp should fluctuate but not very fast. Would it be best to insulate say a small box to put 4-5 cases of wine in?