Hi, I have a regular refrigerator that I use to condition beer that I brew. I use an external thermostat control (Johnson Controls thermostat) so I can keep the temperature at about 60F. I've recently started to make wine and I'd like to use this fridge as a place to store my bottles. I know a major drawback to cellaring wine in a fridge is drying out the cork. Do you think that is too long for a real cork? What about synthetic cork? I plan on keeping wine for 1 to
2 years tops.Thanks. John
Synthetic cork is probably ok. You could also just use crown caps on beer or sparkling bottles. How many bottles can you fit in?
Pp
I just got it so I'm not sure how many bottles will fit. It is a full size fridge and I plan on modifying the shelves a bit.
Do bottles with synthetic corks need to be cellared on their side? If they can be stored upright I'll be able to get more on shelves in the door.
Thanks, John
I read that synthetic corks don't require high humidity so storing them upright is ok.
Guy
Hmmm. Here is a totally different approach. I have not used it but in your situation it might well work.
For only 1 or 2 years, the proper temperature is probably not that important. The main probelm with storring at too high of a temerature is that the wine will age too quickly. That can be a seriour problem over 5+ years but probably not for your period. It is also less of a problem if you sore in bulk as bulk storage averages out day/night temperature swings. S
o here is what I would suggest. Do not bottle in the traditional manner at all. Instead, store in 1 gallon jugs. Then get a batch of those plastic bag, wine in a box type things. They are used extensively in Australia and they really work very nicely. Get the ones good for 1 gallon. When you rack off a batch of wine, put most of it in gallon jugs and put one gallon in the bag for your fridge. These things should keep your wine for 6 months or so. Just drink it up in that time. You see where I am going. You could store 1 gallon at a time of each wine you make in the fridge so you can have a glass of anything you want any time you want without opening a whole bottle. Have a glass of 5 different wines in an evening if you want without worrying about leftovers. It will not oxydise as it is never exposed to the air. As a gallon is used up, rinse the bag and refill it from the gallon jugs of the same wine.
Just a suggestion and one that I would consider. I am going to set up a wine room in my new house this year and may well set up such a system.
Ray
You can store synthetics in any orientation. As to the corks, you can just put a pan of water in the fridge to keep it humidified. I doubt there will be a problem at that temperature anyway.
Joe
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