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Collecting Q&A: Humidity for Storage

Peter D. Meltzer

Posted: Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Q: What is the proper humidity for wine storage? My 1,200-bottle cellar has a temperature control unit but not a humidity control.

A: The ideal humidity for a wine cellar is approximately 70 percent. Higher humidity levels will cause mold to form on the bottles and cellar walls. Lower humidity levels may cause the wine to slowly evaporate from the bottle over a protracted period of time. Install a humidity gauge in your cellar. If it’s too high or too low, I would consult the manufacturer of your wine cellar to see if they can retro-fit your unit.

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