analysis: What’s Down In The Basement: Wine and Cheese Cellar

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Basements are prefect for your favorite things

Notes:

• Such as collecting and storing your favorite wine. Basements generally maintain a cool temperature – not to mention it is mostly dark – two perfect conditions for a wine and/or beverage cellar.
• Your cellar doesn’t need to be fancy – but if you expect to show it off, then installing some wine storage shelves is the way to go.
• Use some organization to separate your wine collection by type, year, and value.
• 1. what’s need for a wine cellar
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• • What’s Needed for a Wine Cellar:

    For long-term wine storage, the ideal temperature and relative humidity are 55°F and 60-65%, respectively.

    Cooler temperatures allows the slowing of the aging process; high humidity within the respective range prevents moisture inside the wine bottle from moving into the cork and evaporating out.

    Most northern hemisphere basements provide naturally these ideal conditions. However, as you move further south – or if the north experience a hot, dry summer, conditions in the basement may become too warm and dry to preserve the wine aging process.

    It is best to enclose an area within the basement that can be sealed. Inside the compartment is a wine cellar cooling unit that monitors and actively conditions your wine cellar.

    An enclosed room in the basement is also ideal to avoid sunlight and UV rays. Just note the wine room shouldn’t be located next to the laundry area. Any vibrations can disturb the wine aging process.

    

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    About Wine Cellars    (google images)
    	Home Wine Cellar Ideas	view
    	– In the Basement	view
    	– Under the Stairs	view
    	– Underground	view
    	– Within a Closet	view
    	Wine Cellar Construction	view
    	– Cellar Diagram	view
    	– Cellar Walls	view
    	– Cooling Systems	view

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And what about your favorite cheese?

Notes:

• Since you are thinking of adding a wine cellar in the basement, how about adding another space where you can age some cheese like cheddar, gouda and parmesan – just to name a few. The cheese aging cellar would be a nice addition along with your wine cellar.
• Could you use the wine cellar to age certain cheeses? Of course. Most cheese require the exact temperate climate during the aging process. But most wine cellar experts would argue against it. The smell of cheese – especially those varieties that are pungent – could penetrate the wooden corks and contaminate the wine.
• So to maintain the right environments for both wine and cheese, you might consider allocating additional basement space for aging cheese. You will now have a dedicated wine and cheese cellars in the basement corners.
• 1. what’s needed for cheese cellar
  2. shop ideas
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• • What’s Needed for Cheese Cellar:

    Cheese ages best at about 55° to 65° F, with about 70% humidity. First-time cheese agers (referred to as “affineur”) will start with a wine refrigerator that can be purchased second-hand for around $100.

    You can place a glass or bowel half full of water in the refrigerator for the humidity. Simply check it daily to refill when it gets low. Be sure to change is out with good water to avoid unnecessary bacteria impacting the cheese.

    Since cheese requires more care and maintenance than wine, maintaining the humidity can be challenging. If you are building a cheese cellar, you will need both temperature and humidity controls to keep and maintain the environment at the correct levels.

    

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    You need to check on your cheese often. If the cheese rinds appear to be getting dry, they should be occasionally rubbed with olive or coconut oil. And if you note any mold growing on the rim, use a rag dipped in white vinegar to rubbed of any unwanted mold.

    Additionally, if you are storing more than one variety of cheese, you should keep them separated to avoid cross-contamination.

    About Cheese Cellars    (google images)
    	Home Cheese Cellar Ideas	view
    	– Cheese Cave	view
    	– In Wine Refrigerator	view
    	Making Cheese	view
    	– How to Make Cheese	view
    	– How to Age Cheese	view
    	– What is a Cheese Cave	youtube

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You know that cheese and wine go great together

Notes:

• Some of the best food combinations is wine and cheese served with some freshly baked bread. So when the aging time is right, you need to invite your friends over to sample your cheese and wine.
• The first you need is to start with a cheese board – where you can arrange the varying types of cheeses in sliced or cube cuts that can be easily sampled.
• Make sure the cheese board is large enough to cover the center portion of the table that is within reach of everyone.
• Once the cheese board is prepped and served, you next step is to open up your favorite wine and serve it alone with the cheese and other cheese board favorites.
• 1. how to arrange a cheese board
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• • How to Arrange a Cheese Board:

    First, you need to decide which cheese you would like to sample. Cheese is best served at room temperature, so plan to remove the cheese from the refrigerator prior to serving.

    Group the cheese together on the board with a tag that identifies the type of cheese and the date when it began its aging.

    

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    Other items to serve if you want a second platter is some meats, crackers, olives, fruits, and other along with some freshly sliced bread.

    Once you have everything arranged, open up your favorite wine from the cellar and allow everyone to sample the aging process that you have accomplished.

    About Cheese Cellars    (google images)
    	Home Cheese Cellar Ideas	view
    	– Cheese Cave	view
    	– In Wine Refrigerator	view
    	Making Cheese	view
    	– How to Make Cheese	view
    	– How to Age Cheese	view
    	– What is a Cheese Cave	youtube

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Welcome to your wine cellar room …

Notes:

• Complete with your wine collection over the years and a sit-up counter to sample some of the wines.
• What you need is a specially built room in the basement with cedar. Cedar wood is a good option for walls and ceiling since it is not prone to mold or mildew. Other more expensive wood options include walnut, alder, redwood, mahogany, maple and oak. As for the racks, it’s better to go for the harder woods for sturdiness.
• For the flooring, tiling is your best option. It makes for easy cleanup from any accidental spill of wine.
• 1. about aging wine
  2. shop ideas
  3. basement remodeling
  4. next basement topics

• • About Aging Wine:

    There is only a small percentage (about 1-2%) of all wine produced that is meant to be aged. These wines, when aged properly, will give you the flavor that is romanticized throughout the world.

    Most of the other wines (98%+) are meant to be consumed within 0-5 years. You can store them in your wine cellar, but aging them will not give you any benefit.

    

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    So the question is why have a wine cellar? One, for storing wines that you have purchased for special occasions and anniversaries. Two, to age those premium wines for a special moment in the future. And three, to provide a sense of pride on something you have built that gives you the finer things of life.

    Now ask your guest for brief moment please … because you are going to move to the other side of the basement to grab some home-processed cheese to sample with the wine.

    What a nice way to utilize one side of the basement – and on the opposite side of the basement, how about a home theater and rec area for family and friend entertainment.

    Aging Wine    (google images)
    	Aging Wine Cellar	view
    	– How Wine Is Made	view
    	– How is Wine Fermented	view
    	– How is Wine Aged	view
    	Cheese Board Arrangement
    	– Science of Aging Wine	youtube
    	– Aging Wine: Is It Worth It?	youtube
    	– Wines That Collectors Look For	youtube

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