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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxt!hstrop
From: hstrop@mhuxt.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.wines
Subject: Re: wine cellars
Message-ID: <265@mhuxt.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Jul-83 16:28:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: mhuxt.265
Posted: Fri Jul 15 16:28:32 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 16-Jul-83 01:30:08 EDT
Organization: Bell Labs, Murray Hill
Lines: 25

I tried to send this by Mail but it failed, so here goes:

Well Jim, you ask a lotta questions for someone from New Jersey.

But seriously, the necessary characteristics for a wine cellar
depend upon how fancy you want to get. Basic conditions if you
can achieve them are temperatures that are stable over a long
time period in a range of 55-65F(12-18C), with a stable humidity
level (it shouldn't be bone dry or sopping wet). This is why
you find a lot of wine cellars underground. However, a cool closet
in a house can do nicely. Excessive light exposure is definitely
a no-no. When I went to college my father converted my bedroom
into a wine cellar by sealing off the heat vent and installing an air 
conditioner for the summer( I grew up in central Calif.). It worked out
extremely well once I got used to sleeping under three blankets!

As far as wines for laying down, I can recommend in general 2-3
yr old cabernets and pinot noirs. I tend to keep most whites
for less than a year, because I am fond of Calif. whites and
they are generally meant to be drunk within a couple of years
from bottling.

				Hope I've helped,

				Exit 18 on the Turnpike