Rack location in wine cellar

[atrent32]

After almost a year in delays my wine cellar is almost complete. The only thing left to install are the racks. Here is my question, can the racks be atatched directly to the walls or must there be space between back of rack & wall. I have heard everything from al least 4" to no space needed at all as long as the cooling system is the proper size for the room. Please advise.

[hotwine]

Welcome to the board, Atrent. I don't think it matters much whether you flatten them against the walls or leave air-space behind them. I've mounted mine both ways over the years, and personally believe the bottles benefit from good air circulation; so I'm currently using racks of welded rod from Sam's Club shoved up against the walls. Previous racking was diamond bins made of plywood, which seemed to encourage formation of mold and mildew. The bottles stay nice and clean with the current storage. If you have good control of temperature and humidity, it probably doesn't matter; but if your cellar has an RH of more than 70%, the racks will need all the help with air circulation that you can give them.

[winoweenie]

Hi atrent and welcome to the board. IMHO it makes more sense to have adequate refrigeration that air space. My cellar has diamonds against solid paneling and the fact the temp stays at +-53 means the back of the bottles are cooled automaticaally. WW