January 1 Price Increases

Effective January 1, 2009, the prices of Le Cache's Contemporary Series wine storage cabinets, European Country Series wine storage cabinets, Wine Vault Series wine storage cabinets and Loft Series wine storage cabinets will increase by an average of 4.1 percent.

This price increase reflects the higher cost of the CellarPro wine cooling units that now come standard in all of our wine cabinets. CellarPro wine cooling units are the finest in the market and represent a significant upgrade over the cooling units that we used previously, providing additional cooling power and better performance in warm environments; many extra features, alarms and settings; and, for the first time, adjustable humidity control.

We will apply new prices to all orders received after December 31, 2008.

Thank you for your interest in Le Cache!

"finally, humidity control"

Our 1800QT wine cooling unit received 5 stars and the following review at beveragefactory.com, an authorized dealer for CellarPro cooling units.

by:	Jim, New York - 08-01-2008
Pros:	Attractive Design, Easy To Install, Energy Efficient, Precise Temperature, Quiet
Cons:	--
Best Uses:	Converted Closet, Custom Wine Cellar, Kitchen
Describe Yourself:	Aspiring Enthusiast, Connoisseur
Comments:	this is a great a unit. easy to operate. I bought it because it will control the humidity and it does seem to live up to its promise.
Bottom Line:	I would recommend this product.

Thanks Jim!

We've Gone Solar!

We recently installed 150 solar panels on our roof, which will cover 95% of our annual electricity usage. The environmental benefits were too compelling to ignore, and the economics were pretty good too! See a picture of our solar panels.

CellarPro Wine Cooling Units on Ebay

We recently saw two CellarPro wine cooling units for sale on eBay. The scary part is that both cooling units originally were sold to CellarPro customers and arrived DOA, so they were returned to us for inspection. When we opened the cases of these two wine cooling units, we found significant damage to the internal components of both units, indicating that the units probably had been dropped during transit. So we filed damage claims with the freight carrier, who paid the claims and picked up the units from us. And a couple of weeks later, they showed up for sale on eBay!

If anyone is considering purchasing a CellarPro wine cooling unit on eBay, caveat emptor!

Sponge inside a Cooling Unit???

The more we learn about different wine storage cooling units, the more we are struck by the number of manufacturing "no-no's" from the industry leaders.

- The use of a sponge inside their cooling unit. A YELLOW SPONGE!! Would you like some mold with your wine???

- No drain pan to catch condensation. In other words, water collects at the bottom of the case, causing rust and water damage to parts on the bottom of the unit.

- No coating on the evaporator coils - no wonder these things spring leaks so quickly!

- Sloppy electrical wiring, exposed to moisture, sharp edges and moving parts. Borders on negligence...

- Exposed fan blades - no fingerguards - nuts!

- Cases that are closed with rivets - makes it all but impossible to open the case if/when necessary.


At CellarPro Cooling Systems, we are committed to using premium components and accepted manufacturing practices. All of our products are tested and certified by Intertek to UL safety standards. We offer the best warranty in the industry - with good reason.

Visit us at www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com to learn more.

Innovation and Customer Service

We've received a number of phone calls and emails since we announced that all Le Cache wine cabinets would be shipped with CellarPro cooling systems, instead of Breezaire cooling units, beginning with all orders received after June 15, 2008. Customers who will be receiving CellarPro cooling systems have been excited to receive the upgraded wine refrigeration equipment at no extra charge, whereas customers who have received Breezaire cooling units for purchases made prior to June 15 mostly have been frustrated or concerned that their wine cooling units are inferior and/or they'll get stiffed on their warranty coverage. Much of this concern has stemmed from a discussion thread on eRobertParker.com which was initiated around the same time as our switch to CellarPro.

Breezaire's warranty is 1 year on parts and labor, plus 4 more years on parts only. However, Le Cache customers receive warranty coverage direct from Le Cache, so they are insulated from having to work through Breezaire. For Le Cache customers, the warranty term is 5 years on the cooling unit - parts and labor - regardless of whether the cabinet has a Breezaire or a CellarPro cooling unit.

We are committed to continuously improving and innovating our products, and we sincerely regret that not everyone will have the new CellarPro cooling units inside their wine cabinets. To make amends, we will offer to all Le Cache customers the opportunity to purchase a CellarPro cooling system at 25% off the retail price. This offer is available to all Le Cache customers who purchased a wine cabinet after November 1, 2004, and is good through August 31, 2008.

Please call Le Cache at 877.532.2243 to receive this discount when purchasing a CellarPro cooling system. We appreciate your business!

CellarPro Cooling Units

Le Cache is proud to announce that it will be replacing Breezaire cooling units with all-new CellarPro Cooling Systems in all of its premium wine cabinets beginning with orders placed after June 15, 2008. With the introduction of CellarPro cooling systems in all of its wine cabinets, Le Cache now provides the highest degree of protection against the elements for fine wine collections. The new wine chillers from CellarPro offer advanced cooling power, adjustable humidity control and super-quiet operation.

CellarPro was founded by the owners of Le Cache, who were frustrated by the shortcomings and limitations of existing cooling units in the wine storage industry. CellarPro is committed to building wine cooling systems that provide superior performance, advanced features and excellent customer service. Made in the USA, CellarPro cooling systems are available for immediate delivery and backed by an industry-best five-year warranty on parts and labor.

Extensively tested in hot ambient conditions, CellarPro cooling systems consistently maintained cooler temperatures and higher humidity than Breezaire. Additional features from CellarPro, like Energy-Saver and Quick-Chill modes, multiple audible and visual alarms, and interchangeable top and rear exhaust vents come standard on all CellarPro cooling systems. These advanced features typically add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a wine cellar, but Le Cache is upgrading to CellarPro cooling systems at no additional charge - representing even more savings vs. comparable products from other manufacturers.

CellarPro offers a choice of two cooling systems for wine enthusiasts: CellarPro 1800 QT, which provides outstanding performance and super-quiet operation for most indoor residential applications; and CellarPro 1800 XT, which provides extra cooling power for warmer environments and commercial applications. Both cooling systems are designed to provide vibration-free performance while maintaining optimal cellar temperatures and humidity. CellarPro cooling systems can be used to replace Breezaire 1060 and 2200 BTU cooling units installed in Le Cache and also other manufacturers' wine cellars.

The entire collection of wine cabinets and accessories from Le Cache can be seen at http://www.lecachewinecabinets.com/. The website also offers a wine cabinet shopping guide, wine storage tips, wine cabinet comparisons and more information about the proper storage and aging of fine wine.

Performance data, comparison charts, a shopping guide and product information describing the new cooling systems from CellarPro can be seen at http://www.cellarprocoolingsystems.com/.

Check the Return Policy!

At Le Cache, we have a 30-day return policy on our wine storage cabinets, but not all companies stand behind their products.

The poor guy (below) purchased a wine cabinet but didn't measure properly, and now he's going to lose a lot of money, because neither the dealer nor the manufacturer will take back the wine cabinet, even in its original crate!

Before you spend thousands of dollars on a new wine cabinet, get the return and cancellation policy IN WRITING. Caveat emptor!

"The cabinet was purchased from [an online retailer]. Here's a link to the product page:

http://www.vintage...odcategoryID=46

The wine cabinet line is called the Vintage Series Premier Cru, but it's made by Wine Cellar Impressions, which makes cabinets for a number of stores, who sell them under different names, such as AmeriCave at winecellars.com, the Estate series at IWA (iwawine.com), as well as the Vintage Series line at Vintage Cellars.

I did a bad job of measuring to make sure this cabinet would fit down my stairway to where it needed to go, and it turns out that it won't fit, so I need to sell it and buy a smaller one. The cabinet is being stored at the local shipping company, still in its original shipping crate.

As shown in the above link, the model I bought is the Premier Cru 420. It's made of oak, with a Breezaire cooling system. It has redwood racks, with bulk storage at the top. Total capacity is about 396 bottles. Note that the $1995 price shown on the web site is for an unfinished cabinet, with solid doors. I stayed with the solid doors, and added the following options: light oak finish - $180, top vent upgrade - $215 (so that it could be placed flush against the wall), interior light - $39, and lock - $50.

I'm asking $1900, with free shipping and inside delivery (shipping on these units is normally $600 - $700). Free shipping is for continental U.S. only."

Dual Zones for Wine Storage

We get a lot of calls asking if we offer wine cabinets with dual temperature zones - "you know, to store the reds at a warmer temperature and the whites at a cooler temperature."

Actually, all of our wine cabinets come with single temperature zones - we do not offer dual temperature zones, and here's why: while it's true that red wine, white wine and sparkling wine are meant to be served at different temperatures, they all should be stored at the same temperature to ensure their proper aging and biochemical development. We believe that all wine should be stored at temperatures ranging from 55 to 60 degrees. In addition to constant temperatures, ideal wine storage conditions include humidity in the range of 50-70%, clean air, minimal vibration and protection from harmful UV rays. Read more about Proper Wine Storage techniques.

Serving wine is a different story. A wine's body, sugar perception, aroma and acidity all will be affected by the serving temperature of the wine. For example, red wine that is served too warm (a common mistake) will convey more alcohol aroma than fruit, and the wine's flavor will be compressed. Conversely, white wine served too cold (another common mistake) will convey more acidity and the aroma, body and sweetness will be muted.

Ideally, each wine should be served at the proper temperature based on the type and style of the wine. Most red wine should be served at "room temperature", which term has historic roots in 18th Century Europe and refers to temperatures ranging from 60 to 65 degrees. Most white wine should be served at "cellar temperature", which term refers to temperatures ranging from 50 to 55 degrees. Sparkling wine should be served "iced", which refers to temperatures ranging from 40 to 45 degrees.

Look for dual-temperature zones when considering wine coolers for storing wine that will be consumed in the near term. For long-term storing and aging of fine wine, remember that all wine should be stored between 55 to 60 degrees, regardless of the color of the wine.

Copycat Sites

I just read the site of a new retailer, and was flattered by the amount of content that they copied from www.lecachewinecabinets.com! Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, right? (And also the quickest way to build content on a new website!!)

The site, winecoolers.com, seems to be focused on the lower quality brands at the current time. It'll be interesting to see if they start selling some of the premium wine cabinet brands too.

If you have experience with this retailer, please share your experiences.

Send Us Your Pictures

We thought it would be fun to post pictures of our customers and their Le Cache wine cabinets on our website at www.lecachewinecabinets.com

If you would like to participate and you purchased your wine cabinet after November 2004, please email a picture of you and your cabinet (or, if you’re shy, just your cabinet!) and accompanying text (optional) to us at info@lecache.com. We expect to size the pictures to 4”x6”, but if your picture is a different size, don’t worry about it – we’ll crop the picture to make it fit. For each picture, please include your first and last name, and city and state in which you live.

Cheers!

Fun Video

I received the following email from Sorin Mihailovici - check out his video, it's kind of campy but useful nonetheless!

My name is Sorin Mihailovici and I live in Edmonton, Canada. I have been working in a major liquor store here for the last five years and I could say I am a big wine enthusiast! I just came across your blog and I am glad I found it. It seems like you put a lot of work into it.
While working in my liquor store, I also decided to go to school - I am a student now taking TV productions at one of the most prestigious colleges in Western Canada, Grant MacEwan College. Trying to mix my two passions I have created a couple of short movies - one is a minute and a half long, the other one 59 sec. The fist one is called "How to Remove Red Wine Stains" and the other one is "Open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew". Although they are short I put several hours of work into them.


How To Remove Red Wine Stains

Tune Up your Wine Cabinet Before Summer Arrives

As summer approaches, now is the time to perform regular maintenance on your wine cellar cooling unit. Last summer, record temperatures baked the Northeast and caused serious damage to unprotected collections of wine, which need cool, constant temperatures to ensure proper development and aging.

When exposed to high temperatures, even for brief periods of time, expensive wine collections will become permanently impaired. Wine auction-goers and auction professionals agree that a wine’s provenance – i.e. where and how the wine has been stored – is the most critical consideration in determining the value of old, rare and valuable wine.

Fifteen minutes is all it takes to ensure that your wine will be protected this summer. Start by unplugging the cooling unit. After removing and cleaning the protective grill cover, simply use the brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner to clean any dust, dirt, lint and grime that have accumulated on the condenser coils. Never use forced air to clean the coils, because particles may be forced into the cooling unit.

Cleaning the coils at regular intervals will improve the efficiency and cooling capacity of the cooling unit. In addition, cleaning the coils will reduce cycle times, resulting in lower energy usage and prolonging the life of the cooling unit.

Protect your wine investment by storing your collection in climate-controlled wine cellars such as those offered by Le Cache Premium Wine Cabinets.

Wine Cellar Prices Set to Increase

Effective May 1, 2007, the prices of Le Cache's Contemporary Series wine storage cabinets and Wine Vault Series wine storage cabinets will increase. The prices of Le Cache's European Country Series wine storage cabinets will remain unchanged.


The prices of our wine cabinets have remained unchanged for 2 ½ years, even as our manufacturing costs have increased. At the current time, we are raising prices to reflect our increased manufacturing costs.

We will apply new prices to all orders received after April 30, 2007.

Thank you for your interest in Le Cache!

TNs - Old World and New World

I've had some great wine in the last few weeks! We celebrated our 5-year anniversary with dinner and a bottle of Roc de Cambes 2001 Bordeaux from Cotes de Bourg - it was awesome! I liked it so much that I bought a case yesterday...

Today I had a glass of Ridge 2004 Zinfandel - I thought I was outgrowing Zins but it was great!

The Coolest Email Ever

Ben,

Thank you for the email. I am currently deployed to Iraq and was researching various wine cabinet manufacturers. I discovered Le Cache during my online (when available) research and subsequently read an article in Wine Spectator, I believe, that rated Le Cache highly. I was going to delay making a decision until I redeployed; however, after the brochure arrived my wife decided to purchase the Euro 2400 as my birthday gift. It has been delivered, beautifully done, and awaiting my return for stocking (47 days remaining). Thanks and have a good day.


Michael

Should I use a bottle probe in my wine cabinet? v2

In an earlier post, I discussed the benefits of using changes in air temperature rather than changes in liquid temperature to regulate the on/off cycles of Breezaire cooling units. However, there are some circumstances when using a bottle probe DOES make sense.

First, a review. A bottle probe is inserted into a "dummy" bottle of water/alcohol, which is placed in the racks with your wine. Based on changes in temperature of the liquid in the dummy bottle, the Breezaire cooling unit will cycle on and off, thereby maintaining the temperature of the liquid within a predetermined range.

Without a bottle probe, the cooling unit cycles on and off based on changes in the air temperature at the top of the cabinet (which is where the cooling unit is located). Since air changes temperature more quickly than liquid, we prefer to have the cooling unit cycle on when the air warms up (but BEFORE the liquid warms up), rather than waiting for the liquid to warm up.

So when does it make sense to use a bottle probe? If your wine cabinet is placed in an environment that is subject to significant but temporary changes in temperature, such as a garage or a restaurant, you should consider using a bottle probe to avoid having the protection mechanism triggered by too many "false positives." (The protection mechanism is triggered when the cooling unit registers 75 degrees, and will shut down the cooling unit if the temperature doesn't fall below 65 degrees within 45 minutes.) By using a bottle probe, the protection mechanism won't be triggered by temporary changes in air temperature. and therefore the cooling unit won't turn off after 45 minutes unneccessarily.

It also makes sense to use a bottle probe if your wine cabinet is less than half full. With a wine cabinet that is relatively empty, the cooling unit will run constantly just to keep the empty air in your wine cabinet at your desired temperature. Instead, use a bottle probe to lengthen the cycle times, or build the thermal mass inside the wine cabinet by buying more wine! You also can build the thermal mass inside the wine cabinet by using water bottles, soda cans and beer bottles.

Are Wine Coolers Suitable for Long Term Storage?

Wine coolers and wine cabinets are very different products.

The website of a major manufacturer of wine coolers says the following in their FAQs:

"[Wine coolers] do not maintain a constant set temperature. Like all refrigeration units the temperature fluctuates from 6 to 10 degrees either way - sometimes more if placed in an area that receives a lot of light. The temperature sensor is located at the top of the unit where the temperature will change the most. If the temperature gauge was placed at the bottom of the unit there would be less variance in temperature. All wine coolers behave in this manner. Many wine enthusiasts do not like this temperature fluctuation as they feel it is harmful to the wines, however, there is a large misunderstanding regarding the function of wine coolers. Wine coolers are meant for short term "cooling" not long term storage. If used properly the natural variances in temperature within your wine cooler should not negatively affect stored contents."

To create proper wine storage conditions, you need:

• a cool environment with minimal temperature fluctuations;
  
• humidity between 50 - 70%;
  
• low light;
• minimal vibration; and
  
• clean air
  

In contrast to wine coolers, wine cabinets ARE designed to create and maintain these conditions, which are required for proper storage and aging of wine. Request a free brochure from Le Cache.

Copycat Wine Cabinets

Got the following email today -

"I am looking at buying a used Wine Storage Cabinet in the Dallas area, and it is being advertised as a Le Cache unit. It looks similar to the 3800 model, but there are a few differences. Please contact me via e-mail and I will send you a picture. It is important to me that I am buying the Le Cache quality. I am also interested in finding out if there is still warranty on it. Thanks for the help."

The customer sent a picture of the wine cabinet in question, and the scary thing is, it really looks like a Le Cache Model 3800 wine cabinet! Truth is, the cabinet is not a Le Cache, as evidenced by the oak wood (we only use cherry wood), tan Breezaire (ours are black), and mechanical temperature control (we exclusively use digital cooling units.)

For anyone interested in purchasing a wine cabinet from Le Cache, please make sure that you talk to Le Cache or one of its authorized dealers. Our warranty applies only to products purchased directly from the factory or from an authorized dealer.

Keys to the Cellar

Keys to the Cellar, a new book by wine critic Peter Meltzer, talks about the "strategies and secrets of wine collecting." The book's chapters cover a variety of topics, ranging from how to build a collection of wine, how to purchase wine and how to properly store and enjoy wine.

Mr. Meltzer could've done a better job checking his facts and researching the companies that he mentions in the chapter about wine storage. On page 124, the author states that "highly rated brands of [freestanding temperature-and humidity-controlled wine storage units] include Breezaire, Le Cache, Vinocraft, Avanti, Haier, Danby and Marvel."

In fact, six of the seven brands should should not have been included in the author's summry:
- Breezaire makes cooling units, but it does not make wine storage units
- Vinocraft is rumored to be out of business
- Avanti, Haier, Danby and Marvel make coolers which control temperature but NOT humidity!

Instead of these six brands, Mr. Meltzer should have named Vinotheque, Vinotemp and Wine Cellar Impressions which, in addition to Le Cache and EuroCave, currently are the leading manufacturers of freestanding temperature-and humidity-controlled wine storage units.

Later on the same page, the author exhorts the reader to "definitely...do some comparative shopping, because the disparity between brands of storage units can be considerable." As an example, the author says "a 286-bottle unit from Le Cache runs about $3,400, whereas a 700-bottle unit from Vinotheque sells for just $400 more."

Huh? Not only is some of the information incorrect, the comparison is quite deceiving. Checking on Vinotheque's site, its largest capacity wine cabinet stores 526 (64 Champagne and 462 Bordeaux) bottles, and costs $3,915. This is the price of an unfinished cabinet, and doesn't include:

- doors with windows: starting at $1,435
- cherry wood upgrade: $800
- furniture finish: $350
- digital readout: $180
- front venting: $644
- Total cost: $7,324

In comparison, a similarly-configured wine cabinet from Le Cache, with bottle capacity for 622 Bordeaux AND Burgundy AND Turley bottles, costs thousands less. A wine cabinet from Le Cache includes:

- doors with windows: no charge
- cherry wood upgrade: no charge
- premium furniture finish: no charge
- digital readout: no charge
- top vent: no charge
-Total cost: less than $5,000!

Mr. Meltzer clearly is knowledgeable about wine collecting, and it's evident that he put a lot of effort into writing a comprehensive book for wine enthusiasts. It's too bad that the book's credibility and effectiveness are impaired by careless mistakes.

Wine Cabinet Condensation - What do I do?

During hot summer months, many wine cabinets experience condensation on the post, locks and even the doors. Like a glass of iced tea on a warm day, wine cabinets are cold on the inside, and this coldness will cause moisture from the warm air to condense on any surface (such as metal) that conducts heat from the inside to the outside. Therefore, locks and metal strips that are exposed to the inside and the outside environments will accumulate condensation on the warm side.

In order to reduce condensation on your wine cabinet, do the following:

• Raise the temperature set-point to 59 degrees or above.
  
  
• Build the thermal mass inside the cabinet to reduce the cycle time spent cooling the air in the empty space. If you don't have enough wine bottles, use soda cans, water bottles.
  
  
• Keep the first 3-4 rows clear in the column directly below the cold-air discharge (front column only). This will stop the cold air from "splashing" against the center post.
  
  
• Check the seals between the door(s) and the cabinet to ensure there aren't any leaks in the seals.
  
  
• If possible, cool down the ambient environment (but if using a fan, avoid blowing air at the wine cabinet, which will worsen the problem).
  
  
• If you're using a bottle probe, which increases cycle times on and off, discontinue use until the temperature cools down.
  
  
• If the condensation is coming into contact with wood, wipe it away frequently to prevent damage to wood surfaces, warping of the doors and mold.

Once outside temperatures cool down, the condensation will go away.

Heat Wave Poses Risk to Fine Wine Collections

Record temperatures baking the Northeast may cause serious damage to unprotected collections of fine wine, which need cool, constant temperatures to ensure proper development and aging.

When exposed to high temperatures, even for brief periods of time, expensive wine collections may become permanently impaired. Wine auction-goers and auction professionals agree that a wine’s provenance -- i.e. where and how the wine has been stored -- is the most critical consideration in determining the value of old, rare and valuable wine.

The following conditions are considered to be critically important when storing and aging fine wine:

- Constant temperature in the range of 55 – 60 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for the biochemical development that occurs as wine matures;

- Humidity in the range of 50 – 70% is required to keep corks from drying out without damaging bottle labels and allowing mold to grow;

- Protection from UV rays which can penetrate bottles and cause tannins to oxidize;

- Clean, odor-free air that won’t taint the flavor or bouquet of the wine; and

- Minimal vibration which can disrupt the aging process

Wine collectors can protect their investments by storing their valuable wine collections in refrigerated wine cellars.

How to evaluate wine cellar insulation

The type and thickness of the insulation used in building wine cabinets will determine the insulation properties (referred to as the R-Value) of the cabinet. Generally, a higher R-Value means better insulation.

Wine cabinet manufacturers use foam insulation to build wine cabinets that maintain inside temperatures without excessive use of the cooling system. There are several types of foam insulation available on the market, each with a different R-Value per inch:

Urea Terpolymer Foam	4.48
Rigid Fiberglass (> 4lb/ft3)	4.00
Expanded Polystyrene (beadboard)	4.00
Extruded Polystyrene	5.00
Polyurethane (foamed-in-place)	6.25
Polyisocyanurate (foil-faced)	7.20

Source: http://coloradoenergy.org/procorner/stuff/r-values.htm


When evaluating advertised R-Values, make sure to ask two questions:

1. which type of insulation is being used by the wine cabinet manufacturer, and
2. how thick is the insulation.

Some manufacturers advertise bogus R-Values, most commonly R-12, because it's difficult to disprove these claims. But remember that the insulation must be at least 2 inches thick in order for the R-Value of the insulation to be R-12.

If you really care about the R-Value of your wine cabinet, the best way to increase the R-Value is to forego glass windows and instead use insulated wood doors on the wine cabinet.

How much insulation do you need? The warmer the environment where the wine cabinet will be placed, the more important the insulation becomes.

Wine Marketing (and Bottle) Trends

The trend towards large-format bottles is growing, fueled by the increasing growth of new brands and accelerating sales of Pinot Noirs, That's why it's so important that wine cellar racks be designed to reflect these trends and accomodate large-format bottles.

"There are a variety of reasons why one brand may fail while another succeeds, but...marketing plays a major part," according to Barbara Insel, a wine market research expert quoted in the March 2006 issue of Wine Business Monthly. Unique bottles help new brands differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Moreover, Pinot Noir continues to be the fastest-growing wine varietal (84 percent growth for the 12 months from 10/04 to 10/05). Like Burgundy bottles, Pinot Noirs generally have large-format bottles that don't fit in standard racks.

The proliferation of large-format bottles will continue to grow, and should be considered when designing or purchasing a wine cellar.

What's Up with Large Wine Bottles?

Lot's of wine collectors are upset because many wineries are turning to heavier glass and bigger bottles in an attempt to distinguish themselves among consumers, who correlate better wine with bigger bottles. The problem for wine collectors is that these bigger bottles won't fit in their wine racks, most of which is designed for standard Bordeaux-size bottles.

Larger bottle sizes can be frustrating. If you can't fit large bottles - eg Burgundy, Pinot Noir, Turley Zinfandels, many Chardonnays, Champagne, etc. - in your racks, the only solution is to store these bottles in bulk storage areas that normally are set aside for Magnum bottles. Unless you have a lot of space dedicatd to bulk storage (and most people don't), you'll quickly run out of storage room for these larger bottles.

The problem is taking on epic proportions. Some collectors are threatening to boycott wineries who use large bottles, while others already have stopped buying large bottles altogether.

It's hard to fault the wineries for using larger bottles. They're just trying to distinguish their products and stay ahead of consumer trends, which are good business practices. Wineries must pay higher prices for larger wine bottles, and also higher fright costs to ship their wine - so it's likely that the wineries have done the cost/benefit analysis and have concluded that larger bottles make sense.

Manufacturers of wine cabinets and wine racks have an obligation to follow changes in consumer trends. At Le Cache, we only sell wine cabinets with Universal racking to accomodate larger bottle sizes. Our all-wood racks will handle large size bottles without ripping the labels or scratching the bottles, saving the bulk storage area for magnums and really big bottles.

Can a Wine Fridge Be Trusted?

Jeff Grocott penned an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal on August 19, 2005. In the article, Grocott compared three $35 to $55 bottles of red wine that had been stored for 4 years in his Haier wine cooler against three bottles of exactly the same wine that were "professionally" stored in temperature-controlled storage areas.

According to Grocott, "every time [his Haier wine cooler's] motor kicks on, it jolts the 45 bottles inside. [The Haier wine cooler's] cooling and moisture levels are all over the map: According to the the $20 digital thermometer-hygrometer that [he] bought at an electronics store and keeps inside the fridge, the interior air temperature has ranged from 57 to 75 degrees in the past year or so; its humidity has bounced from 30% to 80%."

Grocott held a blind taste-off with a five-person "panel of professional and amateur tasters" and, in every case, the panel preferred the wine from Grocott's cooler over the professionally stored wine.

Grocott's test is interesting, but it's not very scientific. As Grocott points out, the three "professionally" stored bottles all should have been stored together. Moreover, the six bottles all should have been acquired at the same time from the same source. But most importantly, the test should have included more than three bottles to be meaningful.

If you leave your door unlocked and you don't get robbed, does that mean that you should always leave your door unlocked?

Grocott admits that his tests are unscientific, but his conclusions are clear: First, that "wine . . . is pretty tough" and second, that "there's no guarantee that a wine store or restaurant is doing any better than [he] is at home."

Here's another conclusion: Grocott was lucky. If you care about your wine, take care of it. You won't be sorry.

Why are Wine Cabinets so Difficult to Ship?

If you've purchased a wine cabinet, you already know what you're about to read...

Shipping is, hands down, the hardest part of our business, even though we have relationships with the best freight carriers in the industry. Our freight carriers are contracted - and paid - to provide white-glove delivery service, which includes inside placement and set-up of your wine cabinet, as well as leveling and door alignment, and removal of packaging.

We spend tremendous time and effort building the highest-quality wine cabinets on the market, offering straightforward pricing and providing excellent customer service. So far, our customers are telling us that we're doing a great job. From the styling of our products to the quality of our construction, we've received high marks in extensive customer questionnaires.

We rely on freight carriers to deliver our wine cabinets to our customers and provide the same level of high-quality service. Though we've taken extraordinary measures to educate and guide our freight carrier partners, we have found that inexeperienced, unresponsive and/or careless movers have been used all too often.

So what can be done to improve the delivery process? On our end, we will continue to insist that the freight carriers follow directions, act professionally, take proper care and learn more about how to properly set up our wine cabinets. In addition, we will continue mailing the Owner's Manuals so that our customers will have them in advance of the wine cabinet delivery.

Customers also have the responsibility to become knowledgeable about the delivery and inspection process and wine cabinet placement requirements before taking delivery of the wine cabinet.

Togther with our customers, we can improve the level of service provided by the freight carriers who deliver our wine cabinets.

Should I install a Breezaire 1060 or a Breezaire 2200 in my wine cabinet?

Why should someone decide to upgrade to the Breezaire 2200?

The Breezaire 2200 BTU cooling unit has "pros" and "cons".

First the "con": The Breezaire 2200 is noticeably louder than the Breezaire 1060, which is very quiet. This is because the fans and the compressor are larger in the Breezaire 2200.

Now the "pros": The Breezaire 2200 is significantly more powerful than the Breezaire 1060; therefore, if your wine cabinet will be exposed to "extreme" conditions, you may want to consider upgrading to the Breezaire 2200. "Extreme" conditions include placement of the wine cabinet in uncontrolled environments (such as the garage), and commercial use with frequent door openings.

Remember that both cooling units are designed to lower the temperature inside the wine cabinet. The 1060 can lower the temperature a maximum of 25 degrees below the temperature in the ambient environment, while the 2200 can lower the temperature a maximum of 30 degrees. In other words, if the ambient temperature rises to 90 degrees, the coldest temperature that the Breezaire 1060 will be able to generate inside the cabinet is 65 degrees, and 60 degrees for the Breezaire 2200. For this reason, we don't recommend placing wine cabinets in locations with long periods of hot temperature conditions.

For more information about wine cabinet cooling units, see our wine cellar shopping guide.

What's the difference between wine coolers and wine cellars? Does it matter?

There's a big difference between wine coolers and wine cellars.

Wine cellars, which include freestanding wine cabinets, are designed to maintain all the optimal conditions for proper wine storage and aging. These conditions include cools temperature that don't fluctuate, humidity in the range of 50 - 70%, clean air, darkness and minimal vibration.

By contrast, most under-the-counter wine coolers are designed to maintain wine at a desired serving temperature. Their cooling systems are not designed to maintain constant temperatures within a tight range, they are not designed to manage humidity levels, they often have clear glass windows and they cause too much vibration for long term storage and aging.

So what? The differences described above don't really matter if you'll be drinking your wine within a short time, say a year or two. But if you want to buy and store bottles for several years, you'll need to create proper storage and aging conditions so that your your wine can age and achieve its full potential.

Click on the following link to read more about the Importance of
Proper Wine Storage.

Wine Recommendations for Anniversaries and Special Occasions

Anniversaries can be excellent occasions to open special bottles of wine. But if you want to buy wine now for later anniversaries, consider how the wine will be stored.

"Wines demand constant cool temperatures, darkness and proper humidity. Most overheated, dehumidified American houses aren't up to the task without the purchase of an (expensive) wine storage unit," according to an article in The Bradenton Herald (6/9/05). Most under-the-counter wine coolers won't work for long-term storage either, because they aren't designed to maintainconstant temperatures and humidity wthin precise tolerances, and their motors cause too much vibration.

With proper wine storage, you'll be able to buy wines for your 10th anniversary at the same time you buy wines for earler occasions. "The selection will be broader and the prices cheaper," according to the article.

Click on the importance of wine storage to read more about proper wine storage and aging. To view the complete article from The Bradenton Herald, including suggested wines for important anniversaries and special occasions, click on Herald Today
.

What's the difference between top-vent and back-vent wine cabinet cooling units?

Wine cabinet cooling units come with several different types of venting configurations, each of which has an impact on where the wine cabinet can be placed.

Top-venting cooling units exhaust hot air out of the top of the wine cabinet, and intake cold air in from the back of the cooling unit. This configuration requires that there be sufficient space above the wine cabinet so that the hot air can dissipate properly. Typically, three inches of space are recommended between the wine cabinet and the wall behind it, so that the cooling unit has enough space to draw cold air through the cold air intake.

Back-venting cooling units exhaust hot air out of the back of the wine cabinet, and also intake cold air in from the back of the cooling unit. This configuration requires that there be sufficient space behind the wine cabinet so that the hot air can dissipate properly. Typically, six inches of space are required between the wine cabinet and the wall behind it, so that the hot air exhaust doesn't suffocate the cold air intake.

Manufacturer guidelines for wine cabinet placement are based on cooling unit configurations, and should be followed to ensure optimal long-term cooling unit performance.

What can I do to extend the life of the cooling unit inside my wine cabinet?

There are several things that you can do to extend the life of the cooling system inside your wine cellar. With summer heat approaching, follow these suggestions to avoid cooling system failure and risk of damage to your fine wine collection:

- Vacuuming the coils and the grille in front of the air intake (outside the wine cabinet) is about the most important maintenance item that you can do. Use a soft brush attachment and a vacuum cleaner to really clean out the coils. (For safety reasons, PLEASE unplug the cooling unit before cleaning it!)

- Make sure you have adequate space behind the wine cabinet (as recommended by the manufacturer), typically 3-6" for most manufacturers, so that the hot air exhaust is properly dissipated and the cold air intake isn't "eating" its own hot air. For new Le Cache wine cabinets, no space is required behind the wine cabinet, but a minimum of 12 inches of clearance is required above the wine cabinet.

- Clean up spills immediately inside the wine cabinet, before the acidity of the wine has a chance to eat away at your coils and create tiny holes that allow the gas in your cooling unit to escape.

- Create a thermal mass inside your wine cabinet by storing more bottles (and therefore reducing the amount of air inside the cabinet) - this will reduce cycling times for your cooling unit and therefore extend its life.

- Make sure your doors are sealing tightly against the wine cabinet by properly leveling the wine cabinet and aligning the door(s), so that cold air isn't escaping from inside the wine cabinet.

If you must replace your cooling unit, ask if (and at what cost) you can send the old cooling unit to be repaired. You may find it cost-effective to repair the old cooling unit, then keep it as a backup if/when the new cooling unit fails.

Read more about wine cabinet troubleshooting and operating and repair instructions.

A guide for wine serving temperatures

Wine serving temperatures can greatly affect your experience when enjoying a bottle of wine. Aroma, body, sugar perception and acidity are all impacted by the wine's serving temperature.

Experts recommend serving wine at three different temperatures, depending on the wine being served:

• "Room" temperature, about 58-65 degrees Farenheit - recommended for red wine, with Pinot Noir at the lower end; Chianti, Merlot and Syrah in the middle; and Cabernets and Zinfandels at the higher end;

• "Cellar" temperature, about 48-58 degrees Farenheit - recommended for white wines, with Sauvignon Blancs at the lower end and full-bodied Chardonnays at the higher end of the range; and

• "Ice Cold", about 40-45 degrees Farenheit - recommended for sparkling wines and Champagnes.

The most common mistake is serving white wine too cold, and serving red wine too warm. When white wine is served too cold, it seems too acidic and the aroma, body and perception of sweetness are diminished. When red wine is served too warm, its aroma is dominated by alcohol rather than fruit and the flavors seem flat.

For more information about proper wine storage and aging, see The Importance of Proper Wine Storage.

Should I use a bottle probe inside my wine cellar?

Cooling systems with AIR temperature thermostats are better than bottle probes because the cooling systems turn on and off when the air temperature changes, well before the wine temperature changes inside the bottle.

Breezaire cooling units turn on when the AIR temperature inside your wine cellar rises two degrees above your set point, and turn off when the AIR temperature falls two degrees below your set point. For example, if your set point is 55 degrees, the Breezaire cooling unit will turn on when the AIR temperature rises above 57 degrees, and will turn off when the AIR temperature falls below 53 degrees. This fluctuation in AIR temperature results in a nominal LIQUID temperature change of approximately 1/2 degrees.

In contrast, bottle probe thermostats turn the cooling units on and off when the liquid temperature fluctuates, which fluctuation can hurt the aging process for fine wine collections. For more information about proper wine storage and aging, see The Importance of Proper Wine Storage..

Does humidity matter inside a wine cellar?

Humidity DOES matter when storing and aging wine over long periods of time. The ideal range for humidity is 50 to 70 percent. Not enough humidity, and the outside of the cork could dry out and shrink, leading to ullage and possible oxidation of your wine. Too much humidity, and the wine bottle labels might get moldy and/or peel off.

If you live in a dry area, it's especially important to cellar your wine in a sealed environment. That way, you can add moisture inside the wine cellar and the moisture will remain inside. To add moisture, try placing a shallow dish of water with a sponge inside the wine cellar, or spray a mist of water from a water bottle inside the wine cellar.

If you live in a humid area, make sure that the cooling system in your wine cellar will remove excess moisture from the air. For more information about the proper conditions for long-term wine storage and aging, see The Importance of Proper Wine Storage.

Does it matter what type of wood is used for wine racks in a wine cellar?

We believe that the choice of woods used in wine racks is very important, for two reasons:

1. Decay resistance - "Woods vary considerably in decay resistance and durability. Woods like cherry and redwood are "resistant or very resistant" to decay.

2. Tendency to warp - woods like cherry and redwood are among those with the lowest tendency to warp.

When we think of "decay," we think of fungi - or mold - and how to deter the growth of fungi in our wine cabinets and wine racks. There are four basic requirements for wood-inhabiting fungi to thrive. Rendering any one of these unsuitable can control fungi:

1. Temperature- Between 75 and 90 degrees Farenheit is optimum for the growth of fungi. Beyond the extremes of 40 and 105 degrees Farenheit, growth essentially stops.

2. Oxygen - Fungi needs oxygen to grow

3. Moisture - Fungi can develop in wood with average moisture content as low as 20%.

4. Food - Woods vary considerably in decay resistance or durability. Where it is impossible or impractical to keep wood below 20% moisture content, the next best approach is to choose a durable wood or wood that has been impregnated with a chemical preservative.

The first three requirements all exist inside a wine cabinet, so the only way to control against fungi is #4. Therefore, the choice of wood used to build wine racks is very important, and it should be a wood that is resistant to decay, such as redwood, black walnut or cherry.

For more information, check out the book by R. Bruce Hoadley called "Understanding Wood, A Craftsman's Guide to Wood Technology" or see our wine cellar shopping guide.

How do Breezaire cooling units control temperature and humidity inside wine cellars?

Breezaire 1060 cooling units can be set to provide a constant temperature between 48ºF and 62ºF; however, the maximum amount that the temperature can be cooled inside wine cabinets is 25ºF below the ambient temperature where the wine cabinet is located. For example, if the ambient temperature is 80ºF, then the lowest possible temperature inside the wine cabinet will be 55ºF.

Breezaire cooling units are not designed to generate heat inside the wine cabinet, so they should not be placed in an environment where the temperature drops below the desired wine storage