Everyone probably knows that wine gets better with age. However, what most people don’t know is how to properly store wine at home so that it does get better with time.

Ideally, you’d invest in building a wine cellar, fully equipped with all sorts of systems to store your precious bottles properly. In reality, most people don’t have the budget to build a specialized wine cellar from scratch or even don’t have enough of a collection to fill one. This is where this article comes in handy. 

When you need to store wine at your home, here are a few dos and don’ts to ensure that you can enjoy flavorful wine when the time comes to open it up. 

1. Do Invest In A Good Wine Rack

Whether you have a collection of tens or hundreds of wine bottles, you want to invest in a good wine rack to store the bottles securely and in the right position. Wine racks are also a convenient way to organize your wine and display your prized collection. 

In general, there are several types of wine racks you can choose from, depending on placement, design, and materials. Whether you’re more interested in a tabletop acrylic wine rack or a customized wood rack mounted on your wall, make sure that the rack you choose is durable and fits the number of bottles you intend to keep. 

2. Do Store Wine Bottles On Their Sides

One of the most important things you need to remember is to always store your wine bottle on its side. Storing it upright or standing vertically may seem more convenient and help save space, however, it can negatively impact the wine’s overall flavor and consistency. 

Storing wine on its side helps prevent the corks from drying out. A dried-out cork can cause the air to seep into the bottle, which speeds up oxidation, ruining the integrity of the wine. So, by storing the bottles on their side, you can keep the cork moist, allowing for a perfectly aged bottle of wine. 

3. Do Keep It Chilled

Wine doesn’t like temperature fluctuations. It prefers a ‘chilled’ temperature, not too cold and not room temperature. In general, you want to store your wine at an even temperature ranging from 45 °F–65 °F; the sweet spot is about 50 °F–58 °F. 

Don’t leave your wine at a temperature of over 70 °F or you’ll end up with a ‘cooked’ one that has flat flavors and aroma. This means that storage sheds and attics are not the best places to store your wine since these areas tend to heat up and experience temperature fluctuation throughout the day. Also, don’t store your bottles near heat sources such as windows or heat-producing appliances. 

That said, you shouldn’t leave your bottles of wine in the fridge, either. Storing a wine bottle in your fridge for a few hours is acceptable, but it isn’t an option for long-term storage. The fridge is too cold for storing wine, causing the cork to shrink and allowing air into the bottle, which can damage the flavor and aroma of the wine.

4. Do Get A Wine Fridge

Instead of storing your wine on your regular fridge, consider investing in a wine fridge or wine cooler. Unlike regular refrigerators that keep your food very cold and dry, a specialty wine fridge can keep your wine at the right temperature and, more importantly, proper humidity. 

A low humidity level can dry out the cork. This allows oxygen to enter the bottle, causing oxidation that will spoil the wine. If you leave the wine in areas with low humidity levels for too long, the cork may slip out of place, causing the wine to spill. On the contrary, higher humidity can damage wine bottles and cabinets. It creates too much moisture which encourages mold growth. 

Using a wine fridge can eliminate these issues. What’s more, keeping your bottles in a wine fridge can prevent cross-contamination from food odors, protecting your collection.  

5. Do Not Expose Bottles To Direct Light

Wines love the dark. Harsh light, whether from the sun or incandescent light bulbs, can degrade wine quality. These light sources give off heat that can cause wines to age more quickly, compromising their flavor. Apart from that, the heat can shrink the corks, which allows air into the bottle.

A low humidity level can dry out the cork. This allows oxygen to enter the bottle, causing oxidation that will spoil the wine. If you leave the wine in areas with low humidity levels for too long, the cork may slip out of place, causing the wine to spill. Meanwhile, higher humidity can damage wine bottles and cabinets. It creates too much moisture which encourages mold growth. 

That said, your best bet for a light source is LED lighting. It creates a soft glow without giving off unwanted heat that can ruin the integrity of your wine. 

6. Do Not Store Bottles In A Place With Frequent Vibrations

In addition to harsh light sources, you should keep your wines away from sources of vibrations such as near the stereo system, above the fridge, or close to a dryer and washer. Vibrations can disturb the sediments, which then disrupts the delicate process of aging. 

That said, your best bet for a light source is LED lighting. It creates a soft glow without giving off unwanted heat that can ruin the integrity of your wine.

7. Do Not Store Opened Bottles For Too Long

Once you opened a bottle of wine, you want to finish it within the next few days to prevent it from going bad. Once opened, the wine became exposed to oxygen, which can cause it to lose its flavor or become spoiled.

Takeaway

There’s no denying that wine is a delicate beverage that needs careful storage to ensure that you experience its full aroma and flavor. Whether you’re a budding wine enthusiast or a serious collector, you must understand the proper techniques for storing wine. Mastering these techniques enables you to always enjoy your wines at their best. Otherwise, they will likely turn into expensive bottles of vinegar.

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