Basements are ideal for wine storage because they are generally below grade where the temperature does not fluctuate as much as the top floors and out of the path of direct sunlight. In many parts of the country wine can be “passively” cooled due to the advantageous conditions that exist all on their own. An inexpensive hygrometer left in your basement will give you an instant snapshot of the temperature and humidity levels. If your basement does not naturally fluctuate more than +/- 5 degrees Fahrenheit during the course of a year and the humidity level is in the neighborhood of 50%-70% then by golly you’ve got yourself a wine cellar. If not, you are going to want to “actively” cool your wine cellar space using conventional construction and cooling methods that will transform the environment from less-than-ideal into long term storage friendly surroundings..