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As anyone who’s ever shopped for one can tell you, wine racks come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Depending on the use, they may be utterly functional and non-decorative or ready for prime time in your living or dining room. With the multitude of wine racks available, it can be confusing to know what you need, why you need it, and where you should put it. That’s where we come in!
Keep scrolling for details about just about every type of wine rack on the market, along with tips about wine storage in general. If you’re deciding between a tabletop, freestanding, stackable, or wall-mounted wine rack, you’re in luck! By the end of this article, you’ll have more details about the benefits of each and be armed with the insight you need to move forward.
Wine Rack vs. Wine Cabinet
The first order of business is to consider the differences between a wine rack and a wine cabinet. While both serve the same purpose, to organize and stow standard-sized wine bottles horizontally, a wine rack is generally meant to display a collection and a wine cabinet is meant to store a collection. Wine racks allow hosts to easily access their bottles for serving, while wine cabinets oftentimes feature doors to keep the wine mostly or completely out of sight. (Of course, wine bar cabinets are a bit different as they combine both the serving and bulk storage aspect.)
Both traditional wine racks and cabinets come in a wide variety of capacities from extremely small and suitable for only a few bottles to large capacity for serious collectors. Many of our wine storage customers use unfinished wooden wine racks substantial enough to hold 100 bottles – or more. Regardless of whether you choose a wine rack or a wine storage cabinet, consider the size of your current wine collection and how much you think it will grow in the near – or far – future. Many wine racks are modular in nature, meaning you can add on to them as your holdings expand. If you expect that this might be the case, they might be your best bet.
When considering between a wine rack and a wine cabinet, you’ll also need to consider where the piece will go in your home. Experts agree that the best temperature for most red and white wines is between 45°F (7°C) and 65°F (18°C) with a humidity level between 50% and 80%. Be sure that wherever you’re putting your wine is also relatively vibration-free and out of direct sunlight or strong artificial light. While dark wine bottles can provide a bit of protection from UV rays, it’s still best to store wine in a dark spot with ventilation.
While it may be tempting to put your wine where you find most convenient, proper wine storage will allow you to enjoy that cabernet sauvignon or pinot noir as it was meant to be enjoyed when you open the bottle.
Top Types of Wine Racks
1. Angular Built-Ins
We love the idea of a built-in wine rack, and the crisscrossed pattern on the one above manages to be both minimal and extremely eye-catching. Paint it a different color than the surrounding area for a “pop of color” that draws even more attention.
2. Wall-Mounted Wine Rack
Attaching your wine rack to the wall gives it importance in your overall design scheme – and frees up counters and floors for other items. Pay close attention to what weight your rack is rated for and be sure to attach it to the wall studs. A rack full of wine crashing to the floor is not anyone’s idea of a good time. Check out this great piece from Wine Racks America with step-by-step instructions for attaching a wall-mounted wine rack.
3. Tabletop Wine Racks
Portable, functional, and frequently decorative, tabletop wine racks are perfect for anyone who wants immediate access to their wine and has a relatively small collection – or at least a small collection on display. Think of this as the wine rack for your daily or weekly wines. Anything you want to store for a longer period of time would probably better be served in a wine cabinet. If you do choose a tabletop wine rack, think carefully about location. If you can tuck it away on a sideboard or shelf, you’ll be better served than leaving it on a kitchen counter or in some other highly trafficked, brightly lit area.
4. Wooden Wine Racks
While wooden wine racks could theoretically come in any style, the most popular are highly functional and a bit “industrial chic.” While these are typically thought of as a best choice for long-term wine storage in a cellar or wine storage unit, as mentioned above, they can also work for anyone in search of a minimalist way to showcase bottles in their living spaces.
5. Rustic “Old World” Wine Racks
Speaking of wooden wine racks coming in different styles, let us introduce you to the pupitre – or riddling rack – method of wine storage. A riddling rack, which is essentially a wooden board of some sort with holes in it, is traditionally used to age champagne. Over time, winemakers turn the bottles until all of the sediment is in the neck of the bottle. Today, retailers sell imitation riddling racks for wine storage though you can sometimes get your hands on a real one at an auction or antique store. Regardless of its origin, a riddling rack can be an interesting and unique addition to your home décor – and a great wine rack, to boot.
Now that you know all the ins and outs of wine racks (and wine storage in general), we hope you’re ready to confidently take the next step into wine collecting, storing, and enjoying. If you’re feeling handy, check out all the DIY wine rack videos on YouTube. With a few tools and a little elbow grease, you’ll be popping celebratory corks before you know it.
