Storing wine has been a tradition practiced by humans for nearly 8,000 years. In that period, those who stored wine did so for different reasons. Whether it was for spiritual reasons, as practiced by the ancient Greeks, or solely for its taste, the methods predate some civilizations.
Today, in most cases, wine lovers either want to store their wine to age further, or they are saving it for a special event. No matter the reason, you should adhere to specific considerations when storing wine for a prolonged period. This article will provide you with some tips on how to store wine.
How to Store Wine: The Best Environment
Since the entire process, from its production, bottling, and aging, involves delicate chemical reactions, your wine must be in nearly perfect conditions. If you do not have a place in your home adequate for wine storage, it is a good idea to find a storage unit that can provide the right conditions for your wine. Below are some environmental conditions best suited for storing wines.
- No fluorescent fixtures and no direct sunlight should touch your wine. This is because the ultraviolet light will penetrate the bottles and cause degradation of the wine.
- A temperature that does not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit, while 54 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
- Temperatures should be as consistent as possible—fluctuations in temperature cause it to over breath, which leads to premature aging.
- A humidity of approximately 70 percent is essential for storing wines. Low moisture will lead to the cork drying up. Overly humid conditions lead to the cork rotting.
- Make sure you have proper ventilation and no sharp or musty smells. Since wine breaths as it ages, it will breathe and absorb whatever smells its around.
The Best Handling Methods For Storing Wine
As mentioned above, to achieve wine’s taste, it must go through a series of chemical reactions during fermenting and aging processes. Likewise, you must also keep the wine in places that will not disturb the process. Below are some things to consider.
- Please keep them in a place that will not require you to move it again until you are ready to drink it.
- Avoid storing your wines in a place that has vibrations.
- Always store it on its side rather than upright, as the cork will dry, and air will contaminate the wine.
- Be sure to store the wine with the label up so you can easily see the sediments.
- Store your wine for the correct amount of time. For example, you can drink red wines after two to 10 years of aging. However, white wines are best if served within two to three years.
Best Serving Temperatures By Wine
When the exciting time has come to pop the cork on your bottle of wine, it is a good thing to remember that serving the wine at the correct temperature is as important as anything else. Below is a list of wine types and their best serving temperatures.
- Deep red wines: 59 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit
- Light red wine: A consistent 55 degrees Fahrenheit
- A blush rosé and dry white wines: 46 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit
- Sparkling wines and champagnes: 43 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit
In conclusion, if you are new to wine, there is a lot to consider when looking for the perfect place to store your bottles. Everything from temperature fluctuations to small vibrations caused by passing traffic can ruin an excellent bottle of wine before you can enjoy it. Before you start the storing/aging process, be sure to know what kind of wine it is and what is required to provide it with the ideal environment for its aging process.
It caught my attention when you said that fluctuations in temperature could cause the wine to age prematurely. This is something that my husband and I will consider because we are planning to visit a winery next Friday. We got a new house, and we are interested in collecting wines. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for explaining that you should store your wine on its side so that the cork doesn’t dry out. My husband and I have been wondering if we should invest in a wine rack to store our wine. It seems like it could help us to have a place to store the wine properly and help it last for a long time.