I'm currently storing about 120 bottles of red in boxes in my garage, but am looking to purchase some proper wooden racks. I've read pros/cons etc, but am still concerned a little over the temperature fluctuations eg, summer mean temp about 22 degrees, winter may get as low as 5 degrees. Although this is a swing of about 17 degrees, it is very gradual ie, not o/night or anything. I'd appreciate any advice from someone with experience in similar climate conditions to Canberra - I've observed that the actual bottles in winter still get quite cold despite being packaged up well in boxes. Therefore, am I putting my wine at any risk by going to proper racks?
in may garage,



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It all depends how seriously you want to be about your wines. How long do you plan to keep them for? If it's just for a year or two, then the conditions you describe will not adversely affect your wines. However, if you are planning on keeping them for many years, then the temperature fluctuations of Canberra will cause the wine to age more quickly than normal, and possibly slightly spoil. Depending on airflow around the wine, you also run the risk of inducing mould.

Although I live in Canberra, I store the vast majority of my wine in professional storage in Melbourne (shipping the wine as required). I only keep wine for drinking with me in Canberra.

Packing and insulating the wine carefully (shredded newspaper, polystyrene boxes etc.) will significantly reduce the temperature fluctuation, though still be less than ideal. Look on the bright side though, at least you're not storing your wine in a garage in Brisbane or Adelaide, where temperature fluctuation would be much greater!!



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Your garage must be under the house or quite sheltered. A garage in full sun in winter in canberra can go from -5 to +20 or more daily. Under the house is usually a better bet in canberra unless you are on a slab as I am.
Candamber in Belconnen have a temp-controlled wine storage facility, don't know anyone who uses it though.



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I have a cellar under my house (in Canberra) and temperature variation is approx 13 - 19 deg C over a year. Negligible daily movement according to a digital electronic memory thermometer. Bottles are in arcmesh racks however before the cellar was completed they were stored in their boxes under the house. Great insulation but boxes don't last in the damp.

My advice, if the wine is relatively inexpensive use plenty of insulated containers and get a few really good dual temperature thermometers (mercury from King of Knives or digital from Tandy)to properly monotor the temperature spread, particularly daily. If the wine is valuable I would use Candamber if the price is acceptable.

Whilst I see that many people mandate a constant temperature, James Halliday has written many times about the temperature spread experienced in his various cellars. If his incredible collection can withstand in the order of 9 deg variation over each year (noting the other rules) then mere mortals like us should not feel a solution is outwith our efforts.
Tony



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