When wines are ready for the final fermentation process they are usually stored in barrels for two years or longer until they reach their age of maturity and are ready for the bottling process. Until then, they have to be stored under the most idea conditions, which in the past included wine barrell storage facilities in caves or in large warehouses under strict temperature and humidity control.

In some areas, including those that are famous for their wine production, the land used for wine barrell storage warehouses is considered a waste of land area where agricultural use or housing is considered a better use of the land. Many of the vintners are developing underground caves for wine barrell storage and using the surface land for growing grapes to use in their drinks. One of the keys to better storage is the humidity level in the facility in which the wine is stored.

It has been reported that up to 15-percent per year of the volume of wine in wine barrell storage can be lost due to the fluctuations in humidity. With the wines stored at the proper humidity level this can be reduced to one or two percent of the volume, reducing the need to top off the barrels during the storage time.

Oak Adds Heavier Flavor To Red Wines

Most red wines are stored in oak barrels as they ferment, which gives them a heavier, heady taste and texture. Some white are stored in wood barrels but most of them are kept separate from wood to instill the lighter, drier taste associated with white wines. Larger vintners might have thousands of containers in wine barrell storage at any one time, adding new brews to the facility as the older ones are moved out and bottled.

Air circulation is important in wine barrell storage facilities but the humidity level is one of the main considerations for vintners. For red wines, a humidity level of 75-percent is acceptable with white wines stored in up to 85-percent humidity. The closer to the recommended humidity for wine barrell storage the less loss of product will be experienced saving the time and money from having to go back and refill the barrels throughout their storage life.

Most wines in wine barrell storage are stored with the barrels on their side with topping off performed through the bung hole in the side of the barrel. Special lifting equipment is used to add and remove the barrels from the racks in the wine barrell storage warehouse or cave.