Shopping For a Wine Rack - The Four Things You Need to Consider

So you've started a nice wine collection but the bottles are sitting on your counter, taking up valuable space, or hidden on top of your refrigerator. It's time to find a home for your collection, but finding a wine rack that fits your needs, style, and budget can be a long process. With a variety of places to shop for racks online and offline, it can be a tough decision to settle on just one.

Consider where the rack will be stored - The bottles should be stored in a dim, consistently cool, slightly humid environment. This may include a large closet, dining room or converted corner of the garage. Avoid places such as the top of the fridge or laundry room, because vibrations, variable temperature and exposure to light can deteriorate the wine.When it's time to start your search, consider there factors:Will the racks be used for decoration or storage? If you are constantly adding to your wine collection, you may need a small or look at racks that can hold everything. On the other hand, if you only purchase wine occasionally, a decorative or modern rack may best suit your needs. You'll have a choice between vertical and horizontal wine racks, so be sure to consider how much space you have before making a purchase.The size of your wine collection - If you only plan to keep a few bottles of wine on hand for dinner guests or for your own consumption, a six bottle wine rack will suffice. If you are planning to start a larger wine collection, you will need something larger. Serious wine collectors should consider modular style racks, that can be added on to as their collection grows. These can be expanded to hold hundreds of bottles.

How much are you willing to spend on storage? Depending on the quality, material, and size, a rack can cost you anywhere from $20 to well over $100. A handcrafted wood rack displays bottles nicely but can set you back a few hundred dollars, while a modern looking rack can cost between $30-$50. Cheaper versions of racks may fit your budget, but you may have a hard time finding one that suits your taste and home decor. A good rule of thumb is to spend as much -- or more -- on a rack as you would spend on a bottle of wine. Do you regularly buy expensive bottles or is your budget usually less than $20?

Author: Rachel Kuptz