Collecting great wine is considered an art. Good bottles of wine can range anywhere from $20 to thousands of dollars. If you are an avid collector of expensive and rare wines you will want to have a safe place to store you precious jewels. That is where a wine cellar will come in handy.

Temperature - Keeping a controlled temperature of your wine cellar is a huge consideration when designing your cellar. The ideal temperature is between 6 and 18 degrees Celsius, 42.8 degrees to 64.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your cellar in this range will allow young wines to age properly. Not having climate control in your space can end up damaging the wines. That is why the basement is always a great place to build your cellar.

Humidity - Humidity control is vital to safe keeping of the wine bottles. The humidity range should be 60 to 80 percent for ideal conditions. This will help prevent the cork from shriveling and drying up. Humidity control will allow the wine the proper amount of "breathing" to age perfectly.

Ventilation - Having proper air flow is also a huge factor in preserving wine. A constant airflow though your cellar will ensure your air is clear of impurities. Impurities in the air can penetrate the wine through the cork and taint the taste of the wine. You never want to store anything besides wine in your cellar. Anything else stored in your wine cellar can add impurities, and make it more difficult to keep the air clean.

Lighting - Lighting in your cellar also plays a role in the health of your wine. Having too much light can prematurely age your wine. You will not want any constant artificial or natural light in your cellar. The best lighting is incandescent or sodium vapor lights. The protection from light is the reason you generally see wine packaged in dark glass bottles.

If you are blessed with adequate space consider adding a comfortable couch or sitting chairs for the occasional wine tasting and some peace and quite when you are enjoying your vintage beauties. Good wine is an investment that you will want to keep safe in the correct enclosure. Following these tips will ensure optimal taste and life span for your rare finds.