Wine storage solutions for your prized collection
Hong Kong boasts of being Asia’s biggest market for wines, second to China, it also enjoys the distinction of being the region’s wine hub. But as any wine connoisseurs know, collecting wines is not as simple and easy as gathering decorative items and putting them on display. Specific conditions need to be met to create the ideal environment to store and age wines, especially the premium ones.
Temperature
Heat and wine is the worst combination that makes the city’s climate far from ideal for ageing wines. The taste of wine can be tainted if it is not kept at the perfect temperature range of seven to 18 degrees Celsius. Wine fridges offer a solution to concerns over regulating temperature for wine storage and ageing.
Humidity
Humidity is a key factor to achieve the optimal environment for wine storage. Humidity above 70% could cause labels to mould and degrade while any level below 50% will cause the corks to dry, causing oxidation and ultimately affecting the quality of the wine. Keeping a dehumidifier running will allow constant humidity regulation for your storage room.
Lighting
Lighting is also a significant factor to create the optimal environment for storing wine. Wines must never be exposed to sunlight. Even a brief exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause a chemical reaction with sulphites in the wine which can affect the taste. Dark spaces in underground cellars are ideal for wine storage. But with the city’s architecture, underground storage is not common. Alternatively, low-intensity lighting in places with LED light bulbs is a harmless solution to achieve sufficient illumination in storage spaces that won’t affect the quality of wines. Alternatively wrapping the bottles in towels and keeping them in their original cases also extends the ageing process.
Store wines on its side
Storing wine bottles, laid on its side, allows for the corks to be in constant contact with the wine, keeping them moist and preventing them from drying out, thus prolonging the quality of your precious vino.
Store wines in a cellar
Ideally, wines should be kept in underground wine cellars which provide the perfect combination of dark spaces, low humidity and temperature as well as ample space to collect your vino assets. However, space is often a challenge and problem that wine collectors face in Hong Kong. But worry not as there is a growing demand of wine storage facilities in the city that provides the ideal conditions and security system for oenophiles to pursue their love for wine collecting while having the peace of mind that their valuable vino are protected.
Here are some of the city’s strictly-regulated and highly-secure wine cellars:
Location: Tsuen Wan
Cost: $3,880 to $6,380 /month
This wine storage facility caters to the needs of customers’ fine wines and can only be accessed with staff supervision. A mere 30-minute drive from China, this private wine storage facility serves as a conveniently-located solution to the hefty tax charges that wine collectors in China are subject to.
Location: Wong Chuk Hang
Cost: $2,780 Up /month
$198 / year (customers who buy from Wine Vault)
A retailer of Burgundy and Bordeaux wines, it also provides 24-hour access to wine cellars and a fully-fitted kitchen for customers’ wine tastings and catered events.
Location: Aberdeen
Cost: $4,980 Up /month
Created with the standards of wine collectors, this storage facility features full customer-focused service with available inventory check-in and facilities to ensure optimum temperature, humidity and lighting for wine ageing.
Location: Tin Hau
Cost: $2,888 /month
A wine storage facility that highlights the experience of great wines. With a fully furnished lounge and private kitchen complete with a comprehensive audio and visual equipment to host catered events.
Location: Deep Water Bay and Tuen Mun
Cost: up to $176 per case of 12 bottles /year
(other charges might apply)
Reputed to have the best security and safety systems with the most ideal conditions available in the city, this underground concrete chamber holds a large collection of high-value wines.
See Also: Why sustainable wines are worth pouring over
