Proper storage ensures your wine collection maintains its flavor and quality. However, if you’re a casual wine drinker, you may have yet to give much thought to how you store your wine. But if you have more than a few bottles on your wine rack, it’s worth learning some storage tips to prolong your wine’s lifespan. It’s important to note that most wine sold is meant for something other than aging or cellaring, and attempting to do so could lead to spoilage. On the other hand, fine wine can improve with age and fetch a high price tag of up to $200,000 per bottle.
If you have a collection of fine wine, proper storage in a wine cellar is essential, and wine connoisseurs can provide specific instructions for aging each wine. This article will provide seven essential tips for storing wine at home to ensure it stays fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible. Our team at SecureSpace Self Storages wine storage tips will focus on preserving everyday wine rather than aging it, so you can still store it properly and enjoy it at its best without premature spoilage.
Storing Wine at Home
Wine is a luxurious drink that requires proper storage to maintain its quality and flavor. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or an occasional drinker, storing your wine correctly is essential. Improper wine storage temperature can lead to spoilage, oxidation, and an unpleasant taste. With these 7 tips for storing wine at home, you can ensure that your wine is stored correctly and ready to drink whenever you desire.
1. Store Wine at the Proper Temperature
Storing wine properly is crucial to maintaining its taste, aroma, and overall quality. Temperature is the most crucial factor in wine storage, and it can significantly affect how the wine will age over time. Ideally, wine should be stored at around 55°F (13°C) to ensure optimal aging, but certain types of wine may require slightly different temperatures. For example, most sparkling wines and dessert wines should be stored at cooler temperatures, around 25°F (-4°C), to maintain their carbonation and sweetness. In comparison, red wines with firm tannins may benefit from slightly warmer temperatures, around 68°F (20°C), to soften the tannins and enhance the flavor.
Temperature fluctuations can be detrimental to wine. Keeping the temperature as stable as possible is essential to prevent the cork from expanding and contracting, leading to seepage and oxidation. Therefore, it is essential to avoid storing wine where the temperature frequently fluctuates, such as in a garage or direct sunlight. A wine fridge or cellar can provide a stable and even storage system with consistent temperatures for your wine collection.
2. Store Wine Bottles Horizontally
One crucial aspect of wine storage is the position of the wine turns the bottle. When it comes to bottles with corks, they should be stored horizontally to keep the cork moist. A dry cork can shrink and allow air to enter the bottle, which can cause the wine to oxidize and spoil.
Storing wine bottles horizontally also has another advantage; it helps to prevent sediment from settling at the bottom of the bottle, which can disrupt the aging process of aged wine. When wine is stored upright, the sediment can settle at the bottom, making it harder to pour and impact the taste.
However, for screw-top wine bottles, storing wine racks with them horizontally or upright is acceptable since they do not require a moist cork. Screw-top bottles are designed to create a tight seal, preventing air from entering and compromising the wine’s quality.
3. Protect Wine from Light
Proper wine storage is essential for preserving its taste, aroma, and quality. In addition to oxygen exposure to temperature and humidity, UV rays and vibration can also impact wine quality. UV rays from sunlight can penetrate wine bottles and harm the wine’s flavor and aroma. Thus, storing wine in a dark area, away from windows and direct sunlight, is crucial. If you cannot avoid storing wine in an area with natural light, consider using opaque storage containers or wine coolers.
Vibration can also be detrimental to wine. Constant movement and vibration can disturb the sediment in the bottle, which can negatively impact the wine’s vulnerable aging process and harm the wine’s flavor. Therefore, avoid keeping wine near vibrating appliances like washing machines, dryers, or loudspeakers. A quiet and undisturbed place will help wine age gracefully, improving its overall taste and aroma.
4. Store Wine at the Proper Humidity
In addition to temperature, humidity levels play a crucial role in wine storage. An appropriate humidity level helps preserve the wine’s quality and characteristics. If the humidity level of available wine is too low, the cork can dry out and shrink, allowing air to seep into the bottle and spoil the wine. Conversely, if the humidity is too high, it can cause the wine labels to peel off, making it challenging to identify the wine and affecting its value.
A humidity range between 60-68% is ideal for wine storage, which prevents air from entering the bottle and keeps the cork moist. Wine cellars or coolers are designed to maintain a consistent humidity level within this range. If you’re storing wine outside of a cellar or cooler, keep it in an area with moderate humidity, away from any humidifiers or dehumidifiers, and avoid extreme humidity changes every few hours.
5. Use a Wine Fridge, not a regular fridge.
Wine should be stored in a cool, dark, and moist environment. A wine refrigerator or cooler is an excellent solution if your home doesn’t offer these conditions. Unlike a standard refrigerator, which can be too cold and dry for wine storage, a top wine cooler or fridge is specifically designed to keep wine at the right temperature and humidity.
Most wine fridges can maintain a temperature range of 50-60˚F (10-15˚C), with a separate cooler setting for Champagne. This temperature range is ideal for preserving the delicate flavors and aromas of different types of wine. Additionally, a wine fridge can help prevent cross-contamination of leftover wine from food odors, which can negatively affect the taste and aroma of your wine.
Although a wine fridge can be an investment, it can ultimately protect your investment in long-term wine storage. Wine is often considered a collectible and can increase in value over time. A wine fridge can help protect your investment by ensuring your wine is stored in the best possible conditions.
6. Serve Wine at the Proper Temperature
Proper wine serving temperature is crucial in bringing out the best flavors and aromas; not all wine has in your favorite bottle. If you plan to share your wine with friends or loved ones, it’s essential to let it reach the appropriate temperature for serving. The ideal temperature for red wine is slightly below room temperature, between 58-65˚F. The precise temperature can vary based on the wine’s age, with older red wines generally served at 61-65˚F and younger ones slightly cooler. Tannic red wines benefit from being served slightly warmer than lighter red wines, which can be served at 55˚F.
On the other hand, white wine should be served in cold temperatures, colder than red wine, but not too cold to dull its aroma. White wine should be chilled between 45-55˚F, with sparkling and sweet white wines served at the lower end of that range. However, Champagne should be served at the coldest temperature, between 38-45˚F. It’s important to note that serving wine at the right temperature is about tasting and respecting it.
7. Store Open Bottles of Wine Properly
Opening a bottle of wine can still be enjoyed for up to 3-5 days if stored properly. However, this depends on how well you recork the bottle. The key is to re-cork the wine as soon as possible and ensure the cork is tightly sealed. To do this, place some wax paper around the cork and slide it back into the bottle position in its original position. The wax paper will ease the cork into the top and prevent any stray parts of the cork from dropping into the bottle. A rubber wine stopper can create a tight seal if the cork is damaged or lost. This will help to prevent air from entering the bottle and spoiling the wine.
Invest in a wine vacuum pump if you want an even more effective solution. This device allows you to remove the air from the bottle by creating a nearly airtight seal, which helps to preserve the wine’s original qualities for a longer time. When using a wine vacuum pump, place the stopper on the bottle, attach the pump, and pump out the air until you feel resistance. This will create a vacuum inside the bottle and prevent oxygen from affecting the wine.
Thanks For Reading!
In conclusion, storing wine at home requires proper consideration of temperature, humidity, light, and storage position. By following these seven tips, wine enthusiasts can ensure that their wine is stored in the best possible way, preserving its flavor, aroma, and overall quality for long-term storage. Investing in a wine refrigerator, storing wine bottles horizontally, keeping them away from direct sunlight, and monitoring humidity levels can go a long way in ensuring the longevity of the wine.
Furthermore, recorking opened bottles promptly and using wine vacuum pumps can help extend their shelf life. Ultimately, by taking care of wine storage, wine lovers can enjoy their favorite wines to the fullest, whether for special occasions or casual gatherings.
We hope you found everything you needed to know! If you find yourself in need of a place to rent out a storage unit for the short or long term consider renting out a spot at one of our local SecureSpace Self Storage facilities today. Thanks for reading!
