June 2008 Cyprus Wine Blog

Dear Friends of Monolithos,

Traditionally, wine is stored in a wine cellar. Under the proper storage conditions, at a uniform, consistent, cool temperature, wine actually improves in flavour and bouquet. If the temperature fluctuates too much, it can affect the quality of the wine and ruin its flavour.

In the modern home, which most likely is not equipped with a wine cellar, a wine refrigerator fills this need. Such a refrigerator keeps the wine at an ideal storing and serving temperature. It is a lot less expensive and takes up a lot less space than a cellar, so it is affordable for even the beginner wine enthusiasts. A wine refrigerator can be a great addition to your home appliance collection, especially if you are someone who likes to collect and serve vintage wines. Some wine refrigerators are created to prolong ageing of fine wines for a very long time. Wine refrigerators are frequently referred to as wine cabinets or wine coolers.

Many people may wonder what the difference between a wine cellar and a wine refrigerator is. Basically, a wine cellar is a room in a dark part of your home that acts like a big refrigerator. It has different “climate zones” for the different types of wine that you are storing and serving. This is all quite appealing, yet very expensive, which is why many people purchase a wine refrigerator instead.

A wine refrigerator is different from the commonly used refrigerator in many ways. Of course, wine can be stored in an ordinary refrigerator, but there are some problems here. The kitchen refrigerator in your home is probably set too cold for most wines, but more importantly, the temperature fluctuates every time the door is opened. Ideally, wine requires a constant temperature to maintain its integrity, and keeping it in poor conditions can cause chemical reactions that spoil the taste. A food refrigerator is normally kept at well below 10ºC (50ºF) which is much lower than the ideal temperature for storing wines. Furthermore, a wine refrigerator will protect your bottles from the odours of other foods, and against vibrations that can also spoil wine.

A wine refrigerator can be very useful when serving wine in warm climates such as in Cyprus, since it is designed to keep the wine consistently at just the right temperature. However, before purchasing a wine storage unit, it’s important to consider several factors and must-have features.

First, the unit should be large enough to accommodate the number of bottles you plan to buy and store. Most models can hold between 15 and 60 bottles; larger, built-in appliances can house hundreds of bottles.

Next, evaluate the number of temperature zones and compartments you may need. Some units offer only one large area, while others feature separate compartments, each with its own temperature control, a feature for serious collectors who need to store different kinds of wine. Some wine coolers come with three different temperature zones and separate temperature controls:

. Zone 1 for storage (also good for light red wines),

. Zone 2 for chilling white wines, and

. Zone 3 for chilling sparkling wines

Remember:

. Rich, red, full-bodied wines are best served between 15º-19ºC (59º-66ºF). If light red wines are your passion, you’re in luck as 13ºC (55ºF) is a very good temperature for both storing and serving these wines.

. Blush, rose and dry white wines are normally served between 8º-14ºC (46º-57ºF). If you intend using your wine refrigerator to chill them, you can choose the temperature you prefer. If using it both for storing and chilling, stay as close to 13ºC (55ºF) as possible.

. Sparkling wines and champagne tend to taste best at 6º-8ºC (43º-47ºF). In this case, you can set the wine refrigerator as such and simply consider drinking the champagne sooner, rather than storing it for extended periods.

The unit also should be designed for proper bottle positioning, so that the bottles lie flat “to keep the cork moist”. Wine should always be laid on its side so that the cork doesn’t dry out and shrink, which can allow air in the bottle and ruin the wine.

The large wine refrigerator units come in different types, sizes, styles and functions. With developments in technology, wine coolers have also come of age. Modern day wine coolers do not only control temperature, cooling and circulation, but are also able to read the bar codes on wine bottles, enabling precise controls of elements related to the coding.

Below are a few key features you might consider when looking to purchase a wine fridge:

Free-standing or built-in: A free-standing installation means that the unit stands alone. It can be kept in the basement for storage, in the kitchen for easy access, or in the living room to display while you entertain. Many people find that their wine storage unit is ideal built into their kitchen units or bar, however there are many who go a step further and have a purpose-built wine cellar.

Consequently, certain models are designed for specific areas, so you need to give consideration about where in your home you are going to keep the wine cooler. If, for instance, you are going to have it in the basement where guests rarely go, then you will not have to worry so much about what the cooler actually looks like. However if you are making a focal point in the home where it will stand out for all to see, then you should make sure it is aesthetically appealing and that it blends in with the other existing décor.

Bottle Capacity: Another important factor is how much wine you intend to store. The total volume refers to the overall size and capacity of the refrigerator. After all, this is what is going to determine the size of wine cooler you eventually purchase. Most wine enthusiasts plan to store between 24 and 120 bottles of wine at any given time. In general, wine storage and cooling units can hold as few as six bottles, and as many as 166+. A good size wine refrigerator may, among other things, feature a double-paned tempered glass door, electronic controls with and LED display, and slide-out wooden racks. A number of shelves can accommodate different bottle dimensions and may also have energy-efficient capabilities.

Bottle Size: Depending on your preferences, you may want to check if your unit can store both 750ml and 1.5L bottles. Another size consideration is that today’s 750ml wine bottles come in a variety of heights and diameters, including the larger diameter or taller bottles.

Temperatures in a Wine Refrigerator: Wine refrigerators are made of stainless steel or woods in difference sizes. Always purchase one with an adjustable thermostat which allows you to select the ideal temperature for your wine, from 48°F to 60°F. Dual zone wine refrigerators are very good for storing both red and white wine at different temperatures. Look out for digital controls for both sections so you can get exact temperature adjustments and check how easy is it to adjust the temperature. Most units have digital temperature readout on the front panel.

Humidity: Humidity also plays an important part in storing wine, which is why humidity control is a must in a wine cooler. It is best to store your wines at about 50% to 80% humidity, with 70% as the ideal. Look for a unit that maintains optimum temperature and humidity which is equipped with plastic drip trays/pads for condensation.

Defrost: With manual defrost, you simply have to turn the refrigerator off to let warm air melt any build-up of ice. Auto defrost systems automatically turn the unit on and off during timed cycles limiting the build-up of ice. However, auto defrost freezers may still need to be manually defrosted about once or twice a year, depending on usage.

Light: An attractive, soft, interior light helps you see and select the wine bottles without having to open frequently the door, thereby causing fluctuations in the temperature. You can choose a cooler with a light that only goes on when the door is opened, goes or off manually, or is permanently on. If the light is always on and the cooler is in a living area, make sure the door is tinted so that the light doesn’t annoy you if you are watching TV or sleeping on the sofa nearby! Other issues to consider with lighting are: where do you purchase replacement bulbs, and how do you replace them.

Quiet, energy-efficient operation: A unit with low noise, vibration free, quiet, and energy-efficient operation is what you should aim for. An anti-tip feature for exceptional rack stability and vibration control is an additional feature to consider as wine should not be shaken. The compressors on fridges vibrate a little when they are turned on or off, so in order to alleviate this problem, many wine fridges come with specially coated racks that grip your wine or champagne bottles and limit vibrations. Others have compressors that are mounted on rubber blocks to eliminate the shaking.

Shelves: The interior shelving is definitely a feature you want to look at closely. The better units come with wooden racks while basic models have only chrome/wire shelves. The wine racks can be made of metal or wood and the wine storage that you choose will be a matter of personal taste. Both of these racks choices are attractive, however the metal racks do tend to be more flamboyant and trendy, while the wooden racks are classic and traditional in style. Other useful features include slide-out racks, adjustable shelves, digital controls, and security locks. Consider purchasing a unit with slide-out wooden shelves and an anti-tip feature.

Ease of Reading Labels: If you have a larger capacity unit, it is going to be difficult to mentally keep track of the wines you have in store. Even with a great inventory system, you may want to consider a unit with shelves that pull out. This way, you will be able to easily read the labels of the wines in the rack, without having to pull out each bottle.

Doors: “Door opens” refers to the side of the refrigerator the door’s hinge is on. When a product lists both left and right, this generally means that the hinges can be installed on either side for opening the wine cooler from the left or right, a very convenient and easy-to-use feature. Unlike regular kitchen refrigerators that have solid doors, many wine coolers come with glass doors so the owner can view the wine or show it off to his/her guests. The glass doors are actually more expensive than those with solid doors but they don't insulate nearly as well. Consequently, features often include a reversible tempered double-glass door. The tempered glass door is shatter-resistant, which is a safety measure and prevents serious injuries from occurring if one accidentally knocks into the glass.

Also, keep in mind that tinted glass doors preserve wine from ultraviolet rays which degrade the quality, especially sparkling wines.

Lock and Key: Some models have locks and alarms to let you know if the door has been accidentally left ajar, and ensure that only you can access your finest wines. A lockable door is important for storing alcohol in homes with children.

Customer and repair service: Lastly, the wine refrigerator should have a 3-5 year limited warranty, and the supplier should be in a position to provide after-sales service, including repair service.

Concluding, remember that wine needs to be kept in a cool, dark, damp place with clean and odourless air, where it can be stored vibration-free at a constant temperature. Therefore, you must take into consideration the environmental factors that affect the wine which include humidity, temperature, ventilation, calm and the angle that the bottle is stored at. Better wine storage equates to better tasting wine. Both red and white wine enthusiasts can benefit from a wine storage unit, provided such a unit is purchased which suits their preferences in storage space, size, looks and usability. All of these things are taken into consideration and properly addressed by a quality wine cooler.

Wine News and Information

Twenty-five members of the Italian military police have qualified as sommeliers in order to combat fraud in the industry. Elite officers of the Carabinieri del Nac (anti-fraud squad) recently passed exams given by the Italian Sommeliers Association based in Rome. The combat-ready sommeliers will use their new-found expertise as part of their existing responsibilities for Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. They will also conduct special investigations and act as liaisons to the European Commission’s Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

A member of the European Parliament has requested an enquiry into illegal price fixing by glass bottle makers in Europe. German MEP Werner Langen has written to the European Commission asking for an investigation into possible price fixing by the dominant glass producers – none are named in his request – as well as excessive bottle price hikes of up to 30% in 2007. The three largest glass suppliers in Europe are Owens-Illinois Inc., Saint Gobain and Ardagh Glass. The European Commission has accepted Langen’s request, but has not yet launched an official investigation.

The price of a wine is far more important than taste when it comes to the amount of pleasure the wine gives you, a study has found. Most people prefer inexpensive to expensive wines when served them blind. But if they are given a price tag, even a false one, they will find the apparently costlier one more enjoyable. The American Association of Wine Economists, in a paper published recently, reports on the results of a series of 17 blind tastings conducted in February in which non-experts consistently preferred cheaper wines.

This finding reinforces the conclusion of another study published in January in which student volunteers, tasting blind, preferred the cheapest wine in the sampling. They chose the most expensive when given price information, even though this information was in fact misleading. The latest review finds that even those with wine training, such as sommeliers, are only marginally likely to pick out pricier bottles as superior, say the authors. They conclude that “both the prices of wine and wine recommendations by experts may be poor guides for non-expert wine consumers.”

Monolithos Monthly News

A Mediterranean climate is one in which summers are very warm with little or no rainfall and mild, wet winters. The autumn and spring seasons vary from mostly dry on the hot, equatorial fringes bordering deserts to wet where Mediterranean climates merge into those in central and Western Europe. This climate is particularly suited to grape growing, and much of the world's wine production comes from the areas enjoying this climate. From a consumer perspective, the wines, food and lifestyle of the Mediterranean are fast becoming well understood in all parts of the world. It seems that consumers know Mediterranean. They relate to Mediterranean diet, Mediterranean cuisine, and Mediterranean lifestyle. Putting wine in this mix makes sense to the modern consumer.

There is a popular belief that “wine quality starts in the vineyard”. So, it is important that special attention and care is given to the growth of the grapes used in wine production. It is a year-round process that can either be successful or worthless. During late spring to early summer, weather plays a big factor in the growth of the vine shoots. Grape leaves are removed to allow the fruit to achieve the highest amount of sunlight to maximize ripening. These leaves are tender and provide an important ingredient with Mediterranean dishes.

If at any time you are passing near the village of Pachna you can taste some of these dishes at the local Linos Tavern. However if you wish to visit the winery or purchase any of our products, Martin Wood will be pleased to meet and assist you at his “Fig Tree Villa” in Pachna, so do not hesitate to phone him at 25-816212 or 99-165995.

We thank you for your continued support, take care and remember the toast:

“Friendship is the wine of life; let's drink of it and to it.”

Regards from all of us here at Monolithos