Many luxury homeowners consider a wine cellar on their property to be an absolute necessity. Wine is perishable, and a wine cellar protects your investment in the finest wines for decades to come. Therefore, it is an excellent idea to have wine cellars in luxury Mexican homes.
As Mexican wineries continue to expand and produce a wider variety of high-quality wines, a well-appointed wine cellar also ensures that you always have an appropriate selection of wine close at hand for any event.
And, with a dedicated area for storage, wine cellars open a world of opportunities for the fledgling oenophile to organize their collection and observe how wines change as they mature.
There are many features and benefits to keep in mind when considering your investment in building a wine cellar or choosing a home with appropriate facilities.
Aging wines
Fine Mexican wines will age in your wine cellar. But a bottle of wine needs more than time to improve. It also requires the proper environmental conditions. An ideal wine cellar will be dark and cool with consistent humidity and protected from vibrations. Over time, chemical reactions happen within a bottle of wine, and temperature fluctuations can create unpleasant reactions.
A wine cellar should remain at about 54-57 degrees F (12-14 degrees C) for the best results.
Warmer temperatures, especially temperature spikes, will increase the chances of oxidation reactions. Oxidation will ruin the taste of the wine.
If the temperature drops slowly and remains above freezing, periods of colder temperatures are less likely to be detrimental but can loosen the cork and slow the aging process. Quick or severe temperature drops are more likely to loosen the cork and damage the wine through crystallization.
An ideal wine cellar will also maintain between 65-70% humidity, neither too humid nor too dry. Low humidity will dry the cork. A dry cork will no longer seal correctly, and air will seep into the bottle.
This air will oxidize and ruin the wine. High humidity is not likely to damage the wine. However, it can cause wine labels to mold, loosen, or deteriorate, obscuring or destroying essential information as to the contents and date of each bottle.
The room should be dark and protected from vibrations. Light encourages the oxidation of amino acids, which deteriorates the taste, aroma, and even the color of the wine. Vibrations create the motion of the wine molecules, reducing the number of esters and dulling the flavor.
Important features
Wine cellars are easy to fill, so ample space is always a plus. In addition to building a treasured collection of favorite wines, you will need room to accommodate a diverse selection of wines to meet your personal dining needs, share with friends and family who visit you, and as unique gifts.
Also, wine cellars should contain a cooling unit and humidifier to manage temperature and humidity.
If your home is in a varied climate, especially with porous cement walls, the room will benefit from a vapor barrier covered with insulation, as well as doors and windows that seal well.
Mexican wines for your wine cellar
Imagine buying a home in northern Mexico to be close to the wine tasting tours. It would be an amazing idea to have a wine cellar and fill it with Mexican wines from around.
Although Mexico is better known for its cerveza, tequila, and mezcal, Mexican families have tended vineyards since the 16th century. The best regions in Mexico for vineyards are dry areas that are either cooled by the ocean breeze or are at a high altitude.
Northern Mexico is full of microclimates producing a wide assortment of wines, but most wineries specialize in wines for warmer climates, such as syrah and cabernet sauvignon.
Baja California has over 150 wineries and produces about 85% of the country’s wine. Here, Valle de Guadalupe attracts thousands of visitors a year and is sometimes called the Napa Valley of Mexico.
Further east, in Coahuila, you can visit Valle de Parras. These vineyards include the oldest grapevines in the Americas at Casa Madero, established in 1597.
Maybe you want to buy a Luxury home in Lake Chapala. No matter where you purchase a Luxury property, you can always have a wine cellar to keep your favorite Mexican wines and enjoy them whenever you want.
Some personal recommendations for Mexican wine
La Viña en Rosa – Solar Fortun 2020, Valle de Guadalupe, BC, Mexico(Mourvèdre)
Discreto Encanto – Vinícola Lomita 2018, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico (Sauvignon Blanc)
Fauno – La Trinidad 2015, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico (Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon)
3V Gran Reserva – Casa Madero 2019, Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila, Mexico (Cabernet Sauvignon,Cabernet Franc, Shiraz)
Blanco Bajio – Vinaltura 2017, Valle de Colón, Queretaro, Mexico (Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling)
Central Mexico is famous for both brandy and fine wine. Here, vineyards sit at around 6,500 feet, and many producers specialize in sparkling wines. Spain’s popular Freixenet makes Cavas Freixenet in this region, and many other labels have followed their lead into vinos espumosos.
Beer, tequila, and more
When stocking a large wine cellar, there is no reason to stop with wine.
Although different types of beer may have different ideal serving temperatures, all of them are well suited for storage in a cool and dark area such as wine cellars.
Tequila–and most other distilled spirits like vodka and rum–can safely be stored at room temperature for long periods but last even longer in cool storage such as a wine cellar.
Whiskey and mezcal require more care than wine because they contain congeners. Congeners will deteriorate if kept too cold, so it is best not to keep these alcoholic beverages in a refrigerator. But the ideal temperature of a wine cellar is warmer than a refrigerator, so if your wine cellar remains at the optimal temperature near 55 degrees F (13 degrees C), it is also an ideal place to store whiskey and mezcal.