Invented to meet the needs wine lovers looking for a conservation solution adapted to their lifestyle Today, the wine cellar adopts all styles.
By Sophie Lamigeon
Recognized for the elaboration of its wines, rich in renowned grands crus, France has also been able to perpetuate a true art of living wine. In 1976, a small group of enthusiasts, looking for the best way to store wine at home, created the very first air-conditioned wine cellar dedicated to the conservation of wine and thus meeting the needs of individuals. EuroCave was born. The brand, which has the Origine France Garantie label, designs and manufactures top-of-the-range solutions for ageing, serving and presenting wine, with a design that serves the gesture and elegance.
In more than 40 years, the wine cellar market has developed strongly. A 2015 survey conducted by Ipsos for EuroCave revealed that 63% of French people like to store wine at home, sometimes for years, before enjoying it. This practice transcends social categories, although income, housing, and age variables impact the results. Whatever their profile, the French still keep their wine in their cellar, including those who live in apartments. But wine is now entering the living rooms, especially under the influence of the new generations who no longer hesitate to store it in the kitchen or the living room. “In ten years, we have seen wine cellars go from secondary rooms to living rooms. It allows you to establish your social status with your guests,” explains Pascal Marchand, CEO of EuroCave. “As a result, the demand has evolved towards more aesthetics because the cellar is now part of the decoration of the house. We have gone from solid doors to glass doors, which help to showcase the bottles.
Specialized companies and manufacturers of high-end appliances offer functional and innovative wine cellars. Provintech crée en France des caves sur mesure et en fait des éléments de décoration à part entière, telles les caves de sa collection Prestige. Gaggenau investit l’univers du vin avec des solutions élégantes et design, comme sa gamme Vario Série 400. Liebehrr develops high-performance, compact and refined cellars. KitchenAid offers Vertigo cellars that are totally in keeping with the kitchen’s scenography. L’Atelier du Vin, which specializes in high-quality cellar and bottling equipment, focuses on tasting counters that enhance wine and the art of entertaining.
For an optimal ageing of the wine, the cellar must meet five fundamental criteria: the temperature must be constant, between 10 and 14 degrees, whatever the external variations. It must maintain a hygrometry rate between 50 and 80 %, allowing to avoid that the cork, badly hydrated, does not dry, as well as the condensation of the bottles, the detachment of the labels or the moulds. Hence the importance ofa permanent ventilation system, allowing a good air circulation. To age well, the wine must also be protected from light, which contributes to the degradation of tannins by oxidation. UV-light will alter wines forever. Finally, wine needs to be calm, hence the importance of protecting it from vibrations, which are often fatal to the best wines.
A wine cellar is chosen according to the mode of consumption. We distinguish between the conservation cellar and the service cellar. The aging of wine is the time that allows the wine to reach the best of its qualities: this period can last up to twenty years. The conservation is the fact of keeping wines in the best conditions over a short period, between two and three years. The service cellars bring the wines to their ideal temperature for consumption.
Reduction of energy consumption, optimization of storage capacity, space management, modern and refined aesthetics… So many criteria that characterize today’s offer for wine conservation. The winery has also adapted to the digital age. EuroCave has launched an application allowing individuals to easily manage a cellar from a smartphone or tablet. No more laborious tasting books and summary tables! A single glance now allows to apprehend the contents of its cellar. “Wine is the most civilized thing in the world”, said Rabelais. On the condition that it is consumed in moderation.
