Storing alcohol can be a difficult task sometimes. The yeast culture in beer and wine is essential for manipulating the flavors that people enjoy in those beverages. Yeast is a living organism and it is extremely susceptible to light and temperature, which can destroy the integrity of the beverage. For that reason, basements are ideal locations to build beer or wine cellars. These cool, dark places will preserve the original flavors and let them flourish. That is why it is a good idea to start your basement finishing project if you happen to collect either type of spirit. Toronto is a good city for basements because the temperature stays moderate and they are commonplace. Designing a wine cellar in your basement does not require you to finish your basement, but if you would like a nice place to showcase your collection and occasionally drink the vintages with your friends and family, it is recommended.

Who uses a wine cellar?

Mainly wine enthusiasts that like to collect the beverage and possibly age vintages for later months or years. After finishing the walls and installing minimal electrical components, you can either lay the wine on racks or store it in a temperature-controlled cooler. In the Toronto area wine collectors really do not have to worry about coolers, as the climate is always moderate enough to accommodate basement room temperature aging.

Can I build a wine cellar myself?

Depending on how mechanically inclined you are, creating a shelving system for storing wine can be a relatively easy process. It is important to remember that the light must remain very low to almost complete darkness, so once you have committed to building a wine cellar, you will need to close off that portion of the basement if you intend to use it for that purpose.

What renovations are needed to build a wine cellar?

As is the case with any basement finishing plan, the homeowner will want to bring in a contractor like The Reno Pros to check for moisture or dampness of any kind along the walls and floors of the foundation. This is an important step in beginning of the basement finishing process because you cannot build in the space if it is not completely dry. After that is squared away, you can begin to make a floor plan that will give your wine cellar the best chance to promote your vintages while also showcasing them to friends and family. The next step would be building a couple of walls to isolate your wines or beers, which is not a difficult process but should be inspected by a licensed contractor to ensure all construction is within the legalities of the law. Overall a wine cellar can be as much or as little of a renovation as you intend to make it. Basement finishing is not needed for a wine cellar, but people in the Toronto area that use their basements for that purpose generally like to complete at least a partial remodel in order to show off their collection. Contractors like The Reno Pros will be happy to come in and renovate the space to any leave of basement finishing that you desire.