There are many options available regarding wine racks and storage for wine, such as wall-mounted wine racks, built-in cabinetry and freestanding pieces. The most entertaining step in assembling your storage space is the array of accessories for wine cellar setups. Some professional companies will fully manage your cellar design project and implement your chosen wine rack and storage, or you could build the space yourself.
How deep should a built-in wine rack be?
The average standard height of a wine bottle is 30,5cm, so it would be advisable to allow a depth of at least 37cm to house the bottle on its side. In terms of width, the average size of a wine bottle comes in at just over 8cm wide; therefore, your built-in wine rack should at least accommodate the standard sizing. Of course, this may differ regarding novelty bottles, demi or magnum sizes.
The best wood for wine racks
Natural wood adds an element of warmth and cosiness to a cellar; additionally, it’s a durable and versatile medium for bearing the weight of the bottles. The malleable qualities of the wood make it an excellent choice for custom designs and large-scale construction; add to that easy access to raw materials and the low cost, and wood is by far the most popular choice for wine cellars.
Pine
Pine is arguably the most popular wood for wine cellar construction thanks to its affordability and abundant supply; however, it isn’t necessarily the most durable medium and is prone to degrading more quickly.
Oak
Oak is a traditional option of wood that comes in a variety of raw colours as well as receptive to various stains and finishes to complement a cellar space. A sturdy hardwood with beautiful natural grains, oak is well-known for its strength and durability.
Mahogany
A classic wine cellar choice, Mahogany is well-loved for its natural beauty and a sought-after choice for home cellars and vineyards alike. The red-toned hardwood also has properties that deter infestation and make it resistant to degradation; naturally, all desirable elements for a wine cellar.
Redwood
Redwood is a highly durable medium selected for its long-lasting strength and resistance to degradation. The natural oils present in Redwood resist stains and finishes but in itself create a beautiful finish and varied range of colours.
What angle should a wine rack be?
Traditionally it is advised to store wine bottles on their side to keep the cork moist and well-sealed; the subsequent introduction of screw cap closures means this is no longer a hard and fast rule. You should, however, consider keeping your bottles horizontal during storage to allow sediment within the wine to settle, even if they don’t have a cork closure. Storing wine bottles horizontally is also a great way to save space and allows you to stack multiple bottles simultaneously. A 45º storage angle is ideal, with any slight variation in the degree that will keep the wine in contact with the cork.
How to build a wine wall
There is no feature more luxurious in the home than a wine wall. There are variations of a wine wall, but essentially it’s any dedicated space for storing and displaying bottles of wine on mounted wine racks. As with cellars, natural wood is a great choice for building a wall-mounted wine rack; however, you can also use metal or other materials for a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. A climate-controlled wine wall with glass doors makes for an impressive feature if you want to splash out.
