"Nice Rack!" - Finding the Perfect Wine Rack
Whether you're a connoisseur of fine wines or just enjoy the occasional bottle, many wine lovers will put a lot of effort 
into searching for the perfect wine rack. Having a great wine rack will always increase the atmosphere of the
room, whether it's in the living room or your wine cellar. Not only is it functional, a great wine rack can also increase the perceived value of a home by bringing in a sense of luxury. However, when you are thinking about buying a wine storage rack, most certainly you will have questions, such as how big should it be, from what material(s) should it be made, should it be horizontal or vertical and where should it be located.
Wine Rack Materials
Today, top wine racks can be made from virtually any material imaginable. In addition to wooden racks, you can have a metal wine rack with a steel metal finish, a glass rack with a powder coated mount, and virtually any other material combination you can think of. There are antique wine racks available, or you can buy a commercial wine rack if your wine collection is large enough. However, even with all these materials, the most common racks are made out of wood or metal. The look from either of these materials can be very basic and just purely functional simply for storage in a wine cellar, or they can be very sophisticated that can be the centrepiece of any living room. You will be spoilt for choice when you start looking!
How Big Should it Be?
The only person that can answer this question is you, as the answer is based purely on not only how big your collection is now, but how big you want it to be in the future. If you are the type to only have a set number of bottles in the home, then a stylish metal wine rack may be what you are after. However, if you are the type to collect wines over the years and store them for longer periods (either to enjoy or sell later), then a wooden rack that is expandable may be what you are after. The designs for these types of racks are quite simple and can be easily made at home if you have the plans and suitable tools.
Horizontal or Vertical?
You can get these types of racks anywhere, but which is the best choice for you? Horizontal racks are generally superior to vertical racks if you need to store wine for longer periods. This is because the corks are kept moist, thus preventing air from coming into contact with the wine and spoiling it. However, they have the disadvantage that sediments will gradually accumulate around the corks, especially for wines that are stored horizontally but sloping slightly downwards. So why would you want a vertical rack? Vertical racks are great for wines that are not going to be stored for long periods. For example, if you are going to have a wine party next weekend, storing wine vertically will allow any sediment to fall to the bottom.
Wall mounted or Free standing?
Again, This decision is based on your circumstances. A wall mounted one would be great for the living room or an area where people will be seeing it. It has the advantage of being out of the way and prevents clutter. It can also be generally very decorative. A free standing rack allows for expansion when your wine collection increases, but it also allows for easier storage and removal if you decide to relocate your wine collection from time to time.
Wine Rack Location
This can be the hardest decision a wine lover can make. A hardcore wine enthusiast will probably move the furniture to go around the wine rack, as it will most likely be a centrepiece. However, even a casual wine fan will be able to find a place for their rack, as most wine racks can go with any furniture. The location choice will probably be based on convenience and accessibility in the end.
Buying a wine rack is a decision that most wine fans will have to go through at one time. Even for the smallest of budgets, the perfect rack can be found for all circumstances. In addition to being a decorative piece of furniture, the right wine rack can also be a way of preserving your valuable wine collection for many years.