Storing your wine at home may be challenging for some, however, there are some simple rules that all of us can follow to keep our wine fresh and crisp.
1. Store Wine at the proper temperature.
Storing your wine at specific temperatures is perhaps the most important thing you can do with your wine, other than drinking it. Unusually hot or cold storage can be most detrimental to your wine. The best temperature for the long-term or short-term is around 55°F (13°C), but this can vary from wine to wine. regardless of the label or type of wine, it should never be kept below 25°F (-4°C)or above 68°F (20°C). Fluctuating temperatures can cause the cork to expand and contract to let air in or wine seep out.
2. Store Wine bottles horizontally
For those wines that have a cork. (What great wine wouldn’t have a cork?) Always lay the bottle on its side so the cork does not dry out. Dry corks will let in the air and lose the wine. A moist cork will stay firmly in the mouth of the bottle and prevent the wine from going bad. Although you don’t have to store your screw-top wines horizontally, it is an efficient way to save space.
3. Protect your wine from the light
Keep your wine in the dark. It doesn’t need to know anything. Keep it from the light, whether you are storing it for days, weeks months, or years. keep it out of the sunlight and while you are at it keep it away from vibrations, such as your washer and dryer, your stereo system, and your exercise area. The vibrations disturb the sediments in the bottle, disrupting the process that causes wines to age favorably.
4. Store wine at the proper humidity
Wherever you store your wine it should be between 60 and 68% humidity. Why you ask. Well, I am happy you asked. Anything lower than 60% will dry out the cork and let oxygen into the bottle. Anything higher than 68% will peel off the label. And who wants a crappy label to display on their hard-earned wine?
5. Store wine in a Wine Fridge, not in a regular fridge
If you don’t have a place to keep your wine constantly dark, cool, and moist you might want to invest in a wine cooler. Unlike a standard refrigerator, which keeps your food cold and dry, a wine cooler can keep your wine at a constant temperature and humidity. A wine cooler can keep your wine between 50° and 60° (10°-15°C) and even cooler for Champagne. Keeping your wine in a wine cooler will prevent it from absorbing you food smells that are in your regular refrigerator.
If you don’t have a place to keep your wine constantly dark, cool, and moist you might want to invest in a wine cooler. Unlike a standard refrigerator, which keeps your food cold and dry, a wine cooler can keep your wine at a constant temperature and humidity. A wine cooler can keep your wine between 50° and 60° (10°-15°C) and even cooler for Champagne. Keeping your wine in a wine cooler will prevent it from absorbing you food smells that are in your regular refrigerator.
6. Serve wine at the proper temperature
While serving wine to your wine-loving friends, allow the temperature to come up (or down)for the proper serving temperature. Red wine should be served chilled slightly below room temperature, somewhere between 58°F and 65°F (about 12-19°C). On the other hand, White Wines should be served between 45°-55° (8°-12°C). White Sparkling Wine should be at the lower end of the spectrum as should sweet white wines. Champagne should be the coldest at 38°-45°F (5°-8°C).
7. Store opened bottles of wine properly
Stored properly, an opened bottle of wine can stay fresh between 3 and 5 days. The key to keeping it fresh is to recork it promptly and tightly. The best thing to do is put a sheet of waxed paper around the cork and recork the bottle tightly. The wax paper will keep the cork from splintering and dropping into the bottle. If that isn’t possible a rubber wine cork will work also. Finally, an upgrade option would be a wine vacuum pump is your best bet. It sucks out the air and forms a nearly airtight seal.
See how storing your wine is so important!
