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Wine cellar

cave (F)
cantina (I)
winecellar (GB)
cava (ES)
adega (PO)
wijnkelder (N)

Commonly used term for the place where wine is usually stored in bottles or other containers. In the original sense, it refers to an underground space, but the term also applies to a ground-level arrangement. A winery, on the other hand, is usually a production facility that, unlike an independent winery, does not have its own vineyards and processes grapes delivered by grape producers, as is the case, for example, with winegrowers' cooperatives or other processing associations. Likewise, however, Kellerei is also used to refer to a wine shop (Vinothek). The old wine cellars dug below the level were usually located next to each other outside the actual winegrowing community in the so-called Kellergasse and formed a typical picture. In front of the actual wine cellar was the press house, where, as the name suggests, pressing was carried out. The pressing house was connected to the cellar tube, the actual storage cellar, via the cellar neck. The dark cellar mould (also known as cellar cat) that often occurs in such cellars was or is desirable.

Kellerröhre und Presshaus

Fermentation produces fermentation gas (carbon dioxide), which is toxic to humans. In order to determine the level of gas present, the extremely unsafe method of candle testing was used in the past. The gas used to be discharged via two structural devices. These were the fermentation grate fitted in the cellar door and the steam pipe (ventilation shaft). However, both are only suitable to a limited extent because the carbon dioxide is heavier than air and collects at the bottom or at the lowest point. Today, the carbon dioxide is extracted via exhausters (ventilators) and led into the open air or, in large cellars, also into containers and utilised. The picture shows a typical vaulted cellar. This does not have a flat ceiling, but is usually closed off by a barrel vault with two parallel abutments of equal length.

Weinkeller - Gewölbekeller für Fassausbau und Lagerung

A good wine cellar has (summer and winter) a temperature of around 8 to 12 °C (is also the ideal wine temperature for most white wines) and a humidity of 70 to 80%. The ideal temperature is as even as possible; strong fluctuations are far more harmful than slightly higher temperatures that remain even over a longer period of time. From about 20 to 25 °Celsius it becomes problematic, as heat accelerates all chemical processes. Uncontrolled warm storage is the most frequent cause of premature ageing of wines. Among other things, this destroys the fruit aromas. A possible source of error is also the cork moth, which likes to lay its eggs in damp places such as on corks. The hatched caterpillars can eat corks and make them leaky, which can lead to oxidation and spoilage of the wine.

Weinkeller - Gärgitter in Kellertüre und Dachpfeife als Abschluss der Dampfröhre

A wine cellar should be dark and well ventilated, but free from draughts and shocks. According to conventional wisdom, the bottles must lie horizontally so that the cork is always wetted by the liquid and does not dry out. However, there are now studies that suggest upright storage if there is sufficient humidity. Champagne or sparkling wine is often stored standing up, as are Madeira, port, sherry and similar wines. The reason is that carbonic acid (in the case of sparkling wines) or a high alcohol content could damage the cork and thus cause an oxidative process. An undamaged cork has a positive effect on the shelf life.

With regard to the shelves, there are two important criteria. Firstly, the bottles must be easy to remove. You should have to remove or transfer as few bottles as possible, or at best none at all, to get to the one you want. Furthermore, appropriate labelling must be possible for the attachment of codes for a management system. In order to keep an overview, a wine cellar management system on paper or PC programme is necessary from a certain quantity (30 bottles). A wine climate control cabinet can also be useful in the wine cellar. Many vinotheques and wineries offer the possibility of renting premises or a space. How to behave in a wine cellar is described under cellar law. Every producer, trader and processor of wine must keep a cellar book about the activities in the wine cellar. See also under Wine-growing customs, Bottle ageing, Wine enjoyment and Wine temperature.

Weinkeller - Barrique-Keller des Château Mouton-Rothschild - Pauillac (Médoc)

Among the best-known collectors of rarities from famous wineries such as Château Latour, Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Mouton-Rothschild and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is the US billionaire William Koch

Koch William - Weinkeller des William Koch

Cellar tube: by Weinviertel Tourismus - Wurnig
Cellar lane: by Egon Mark
Vaulted cellar: by nattynati on Pixabay
Fermentation grid: by Architektur Fotografie Wien - Romana Fürnkranz
Roof pipe: by Weinviertel Tourismus - Krönigsberger
Fermentation tanks: by tatlin on Pixabay
Mouton-Rothschild: By MPW57 - Own work, Public domain, Link
Wine cellar William Koch: Courtesy Sotheby's

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Prof. Dr. Walter Kutscher

In the past, you needed a wealth of encyclopaedias and specialist literature to keep up to date in your vinophile professional life. Today, Wine lexicon from wein.plus is one of my best helpers and can rightly be called the "bible of wine knowledge".

Prof. Dr. Walter Kutscher
Lehrgangsleiter Sommelierausbildung WIFI-Wien

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

26,367 Keywords · 46,924 Synonyms · 5,323 Translations · 31,701 Pronunciations · 201,864 Cross-references
made with by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

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