How to store wine?

Have you just bought an investment piece of wine and are looking at how to store it at home? Or maybe you are looking for ways to keep your open wines last longer?  In any way. Whether you are growing a collection or just wanting to extend your wine’s life in the best possible condition we will be sharing with you some tips on how to do so!

Why is it important to know how you store your wine?

As you are probably aware, wine can turn into vinegar if you are not careful with the environment it is stored in.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the finest of wines, if not stored properly it will spoil. On the other hand you can have a very affordable bottle of wine but with proper storage and you can allow the wine to last in years to come! 

Keep your wine in a cool environment

 You could have probably guessed the first tip, keep your wine in a cool temperature! What does this mean exactly? The Ideal temperature for wine storage is around 13 °C. The optimal temperature can vary slightly from wine to wine but should be kept close to this temperature.

Can the temperature be too cold? The answer is yes, specifically if the temperature is -4°C or lower. This will cause the wine to freeze.

On the other hand, if the temperature is 20°C or higher, it can rapidly increase the aging of the wine and compromise the structure and taste of wine. Wine becomes ‘cooked’ and the process can not be reversed.

Wine is very sensitive to temperature fluctuation, and you should put in effort to ensure it will be kept in a stable temperature with moderately cool temperatures.

How does light affect wine?

Believe it or not wine can get sun burnt as well! Light changes the smell of the wine and the flavor becomes unpleasant. Wine bottles should be kept outside of direct sunlight. This is one of the reasons why many wines are packaged in dark bottles which serve as protection from the UV light.

Does this mean you need to drink your wine in the dark? Absolutely not. Wine simply should not be kept in the sun for a prolonged period of time. Additionally, LED lights you have at home do not emit UV rays and are safe for wine.

What is the best position for storing wine?

Firstly, it is important to note that wine should be moved as little as possible. Every movement that can cause the wine to shake can affect its structure. Once you have acquired your wine, you should position it horizontally. This position will ensure that the cork of the wine will be hydrated. When the cork is hydrated it serves as a better divider from oxygen and keeps it from going into the bottle.

Think of wine cellars, all those wines are positioned horizontally for a bigger purpose, not just to save some space.

Does air humidity matter?

As mentioned previously, it is beneficial to have the wine cork in a humid environment to keep the oxygen out. If the environment is too dry or too high, it could damage the longevity of your wine.

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

·       Humidity between 50% and 70% is the optimal for wine storage

·       Humidity under 50% is too dry and can cause wine oxidation

·       Humidity over 70% is too high and can cause cultivation of mold

Any extremes in humidity will impact even the best of wines. Keep this in mind, especially if you are planning to store the wine for a prolonged period of time.

Should wine be stored in the fridge?

There are wine refrigerators on the market for a reason. Wine should ideally be kept in a temperature between 10 and 15 °C . However, most refrigerators are set to cool at a much lower temperature and often do not provide the needed level of humidity.

If you don’t have a dark cool and humid area to store your wine, a wine fridge could be a good investment to look into. Wine fridges are designed to be kept at the proper cooling and humidity level. Another benefit of having a separate fridge just for wine (other than showing your wine collection off to your friends) is that there is no cross-contamination or food smell stuck in your wine bottles.

How to store open wine?

Once the wine is open, it is recommended to be consumed within 3 to 5 days. However, this only applies if the wine is kept in conditions described previously. In addition to this, here are some additional ways to extend the shelf life of your wine:

·       Recorking the bottle with the help of wax paper

·       Using a rubber wine stopper to seal the bottle

·       Using a wine vacuum pump to suck air out of the open bottle

After understanding the ideal conditions for temperature, humidity, and positioning, the best starting point would be for you to identify a dark, cool, and moderately humid place in your home. Once you’re ready to commit to wine storage, consider investing in a wine fridge to maintain optimal conditions and extend the wine’s shelf life.