The MW WINE CENTRE is a state-of-the-art climate-controlled facility
that has been designed to ensure that ideal wine storage conditions
and maximum security are provides to MW Wines Storage customers in order
that all wines are afforded the opportunity to reach their full drinking-potential.
MW has aimed our storage facility at wine lovers and wine professionals
who seek the optimum in storage environment for their wine purchases.
MW is cognoscenti of how imperative it is to wine quality and thus drinking
enjoyment (or investment returns) to provide the climatic conditions
that guarantee the wines reach your palate in the perfect condition
that the winemaker intended.
There are a number of factors that combine to produce the "ideal"
storage conditions for wine. They are:
1. Temperature
2. Humidity
3. Light
4. Ventilation
5. Vibration
6. Security
1.0 Temperature
Temperature is the most critical factor for any wine cellar to control
effectively as variations in temperature will affect the wine in the
short-term more than any other issue. Whilst establishing a cool environment
for wine storage is important, what is critical is to maintain a constant
temperature with variations of less than 1 degree in any one day
Fluctuations in temperature affect the aging potential of wines with
the fluctuations resulting in expansion and contraction of the cork.
Whilst cork has good properties of elasticity, corks will begin to lose
their elasticity after experiencing any rapid change of temperature.
Once the elasticity of the cork has been affected to the point of no
longer providing an effective seal, the wine will quickly oxidise and
leakage will occur, thus spoiling the wine. Therefore, having stability
in the temperature range over any period of time is crucially important.
In respect to establish an ideal temperature for storage there are
various factors which need to be considered. If the temperature is too
low this only delays maturation and can result in deposits or suspensions
developing in the wine. Conversely, if the temperature if maintained
too high, maturity of the wine will be accelerated. Exposure to too
high a temperature will spoil the wine, many exposures at too high a
temperature will spoil it entirely and will almost certainly render
it undrinkable. White wines are far more affected by temperature variations
than reds.
The MW WINE CENTRE offers a constantly monitored cellaring environment
of 15°C +/- 1°C. This temperature is maintained through our
sophisticated internal computer management system, which also provides
for instant 24-hours a day phone notification of any malfunctions or
temperature/humidity fluctuations that exceed MW wines specifications,
with a contracted 2-hour response time from our climate control engineers.
In addition, there are multiple climate control systems in every area
of the MW WINE CENTRE which afford a backup should any of the primary
units fail.
All of the above measures have been designed and commissioned to ensure
that MW provides to our customers the certain knowledge that their wines
are held in absolute ideal wine storage conditions 24-hours a day -
7 days a week.
2.0 Humidity
Humidity is a major factor affecting wine storage. If the humidity is
too low, that when it reaches levels below about 55%, this leads to
a drying effect on the corks. Any drying of the cork will create shrinkage
and break the seal enabling air to enter the bottle and thus cause oxidation.
At the higher end of the scale, excessive humidity say above 75% will
cause labels and/or cardboard boxes to decay and over the longer term
enable mould to build up causing possible contamination of the corks
and tainting of the wine.
The absolute ideal relative humidity of 65% is the ultimate best for
storing wine both for the short term and the long term. It is virtually
impossible (certainly unaffordable) to maintain an area at exactly 65%
humidity and minor fluctuations of say +/- 5% are acceptable over any
12-hour period.
The MW WINE CENTRE offers a constantly monitored cellaring environment
maintaining a relative humidity of 65% +/- 2.5%. This humidity is maintained
through our sophisticated internal computer management system, which
also provides for instant 24-hours a day phone notification of any malfunctions
or temperature/humidity fluctuations that exceed MW wines specifications.
There are multiple climate control systems in every area of the MW WINE
CENTRE which afford a backup should any of the primary units fail together
with a contracted 2-hour response time from our climate control engineers.
All of the above measures have been designed and commissioned to ensure
that MW provides to our customers the certain knowledge that their wines
are held in absolute ideal wine storage conditions 24-hours a day -
7 days a week.
3.0 Light
After temperature and humidity, light is wines next biggest foe. Light,
whether it is sunlight or fluorescent light will cause wines to age
prematurely. The source of the problem is ultraviolet light (UV), which
will penetrate even the darkest coloured bottles. It is capable of tainting
the wine or even ruining it altogether by breaking down the natural
compounds in the wine. Sparkling wines and white wines generally are
more susceptible to light than other types of wines.
Therefore the MW WINE CENTRE has been fitted out with incandescent
lighting, which is UV FREE to ensure that wines stored in the MW Wine
Storage facility is NOT affected by ultraviolet light. Lighting remains
turned off in all areas whilst they are unattended.
4.0 Ventilation
Lack of ventilation is a major factor that can cause major negatively
affects on wines stored in a damp mouldy cellar. It is imperative that
wine cellars are free from dampness, mould and odours as they can easily
enter the cork and contaminate the wine. Mould is a major cause of wine
damage and damages and taints corks and thus the wine.
The MW WINE CENTRE environment is kept meticulously clean at all times.
Filters for the air-conditioning units are serviced on a regular basis
to ensure no unwanted odours infiltrate the storage area.
5.0 Vibration
Wine should be stored in a dark, climate controlled still environment.
Vibration and constant movement will disturb all types of wine but is
particularly harmful to the sediment in red wine.
MW has built our wine facility on a 16inch concrete slab to eliminate
any vibrations caused by building tremors. Our rooftop air-conditioning
systems have been designed to keep all vibrations and movement OUTSIDE
the storage area. The rooftop compressors gently release the chilled
air into our storage area that is pumped into every nook and cranny
around the storage area using very quiet oscillation controlled internal
fan motors to virtually eliminate all vibrations and noise. Special
Hertz controlling noise and vibration control devises on the fan blower
unit, greatly reduce noise and virtually eliminate vibrations inside
the wine storage areas.
6.0 Security
MW wines pty ltd have taken every precaution to ensure that wines are
being stored in a highly secure location.
Access to the building can only transpire after being personally admitted
by MW staff. The storage area is only accessible through PIN code entry
provided only to authorised personnel. A member of staff must approve
entry into the Storage Area to any wine storage client or their contractually
nominated agent. If the MW staff on duty does not recognise a client
then personal identification is required to proceed. This personal identification
has been agreed in advance and noted on every rental contract. No exceptions
will be made to this policy and thus no unauthorised personnel are permitted
into the storage area.
The MW WINE CENTRE has a state-of-the-art security system with 24/7
monitoring. All areas are both monitored and recorded by movement detection
closed circuit television cameras, which monitor the entire building.
The camera system records all movements at a high-resolution 24/7 and
has a virtually instantaneous response time from our security monitoring
service should something go wrong.
All of the above measures have been implemented to make absolutely
certain that all MW owned wines and all Client owned wines in the centre
are protected from any robbery or theft to the highest available industry
standards.
