But this is not a home-building project book. In some cases, the would-be wine collector doesn't have to do much building at all. Rather, Cellaring Wine teaches anyone who loves wine how to create a working system of selecting wines that will age well, know how to lay them down properly, and recognize them when they have matured to their full glory and are ready to be savored.

Cox pinpoints the optimum conditions of temperature, light, and humidity for a wine cellar. He walks you through possible locations--whether in the basement, and old root cellar, the back of your garage, or even a closet or room in your house--and what each location requires. He explains when you'll need a climate control device (and how much they cost). And he discusses the pros and cons of buying a freestanding unit that is much like a refrigerator.

Cox shows you how to keep accurate records and he gives you a crash course in appreciating the fragrance and flavor of a fine wine.