Quite simply when you have a cellar, it makes you think about what you're purchasing, it allows you to buy in quantity and what does that entail a case discount my friend. The wise woman's best friend when it comes to buying the wine you love and still having money left over for new shoes. See below for points to get you started.

1.When it comes to wine, temperature consistency is the key not so much actual temperature (though the ideal is 11˚C most people's homes are around the 18-20˚mark). An empty closet is fine to start as it usually provides stable temperature, little or no light and storage space. Believe me unless you are aging Cheval Blanc, or any other expensive wine, this is fine.

2.Wine is stored on its side ideally. Accomplish this by taking empty milk crates or any similarly sized sturdy box, turn it on its side and voila wine storage. You can also purchase inserts at IKEA for about $9 a unit which hold 6-9 bottles, if you're insistent on keeping each bottle separate. Otherwise stacking the wines on top of each other (provided the bottle size matches) works fine. I advocate keeping styles and types together if you're going to mix wines in one box. Label clearly however you'd like so you remember what you have and where.

3.Place items to consume within a year at close reach and place items to =93hold=94 further away. This is twofold in benefit. A) Allows you easy access when you're just grabbing a bottle for dinner or whatever. B) Encourages you to be patient and not touch the other stuff.

4.How many cases warrant a wine cellar? Well many people might tell you at minimum upwards of 15, I feel as little as 3 merits a cellar system. One for everyday, one for ageing and one for =93just because=94.

For more tips about building your own wine cellar be on the lookout for my upcoming article in Renovatin g Woman magazine or view this excellent primer online provided by The Wine Doctor.

Grape Ventures LLC, innovating again, partners with The Capital Grille to bring you =93A taste of the Grille=94 just for the girls. Indulgence guaranteed with a large portion of the profits benefiting The Bea Gaddy Family Center. $125 per person

With new women-only wine groups popping up all over the place, The Women's Wine & Dine=AE takes it to another level due to popular demand. Join "M" and some of Baltimore's Grapest women for the Valentine's Day meal you really want. To view the menu (the wines are a surprise) click here. Space is extremely limited. To reserve contact The Capital Grille directly at 443- 703-4064.

Cheers!

M

Founder of The Women's Wine & Dine=AE

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