Storing Wine: A Simple Guide About How to Store Wine Correctly

Residential wine cellars can cost as little as $15,000 and as much as $180,000. Have you recently started to build up your own wine cellar?

Between study, work, and social commitments, it can be tricky to find the time to crack open that bottle unless it is for a very special occasion. With time, however, your expensive wines will be worth more than what you paid for them.

If you want to keep your wine collection in pristine condition, read on for a simple guide to storing wine.

Consider Your Goals When Storing Wine

How long do you plan to keep your wines in the wine storage? Is it for years, months, or weeks? For wines you plan to store for a shorter period of time, you can put them in storage at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you intend to keep them longer, you can have a little lower temperature.

When you want the wine to age a bit faster without causing harm, then you can store the wine at 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You can do so for wines you intend to open sooner and serve on your upcoming occasion.

Place Wine Bottles in a Horizontal Position

One of the cardinal rules of keeping wine is to place the bottles in a horizontal position. This allows the wine to come into contact with the cork, which keeps the cork moist. This can prevent it from drying out and shrinking.

It is possible for a cork to shrink, allowing air to enter the bottle and causing the wine to oxidize. This is actually most applicable to wines that will be stored for the long term.

Placing wine bottles horizontally helps to keep the wine in the bottle fresh and prevents it from leaking. When storing wine for long periods, it is best to invest in a wine rack that keeps the bottles securely in place.

Store Wine at Proper Temperature

Wine should be stored in a cool, dark place. Also, it is imperative that you keep a consistent temperature.

A temperature between 55 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. The constant fluctuation of temperatures can damage your wine, and you cannot undo this.

In addition, wines should be stored in an airtight container. This will help to keep the wine from oxidizing and losing its flavor. Have the right wine accessories for proper wine storage.

Store Wine at Proper Humidity

The ideal humidity level for storing wine is between 60-70%. If the humidity level is too low, the wine will become dried out and lose its flavor. If the humidity level is too high, the wine will become moldy and taste musty.

You can use a humidifier to maintain the proper humidity level in your wine storage area. A wine cooler will keep the wine at a consistent temperature and humidity level, making it the ideal storage option.

If you do not have a wine cooler, you can place a pan of water in your storage area to help humidify the air. When storing wine long-term, it is important to check on the wine periodically to make sure that it is not spoiled.

Keep Wine Away From Light and Vibration

Wine should be kept away from electric fluorescent, direct sunlight, and UV lighting because these can cause premature aging of your wine. Light will cause the wine to fade, and vibration will cause the wine to become damaged.

Use dimmable LED lights that emit a very small amount of heat if you have to add light to the wine storage. If you do not have a wine cellar, you can store your wine in a cupboard or closet.

Do not put your wines on top of a refrigerator, a washer, or a dryer as they create vibration. The chemical reaction in the wine is accelerated when you expose the wine to vibration. When the wine ages quicker than how it should properly age, there will be unpleasant changes to its aroma and flavor, and you don’t want this to happen.

Storing Wine in a Wine Fridge

The conventional refrigerators you use daily at home are colder and are also less humid than the wine refrigerators.

Wine is best kept in a wine fridge in order to maintain a constant temperature and humidity.

Be Gentle With Opened Bottles

You have to remember that once it’s opened, the wine will be fine for a day but not more. This is due to the reason that most wines will oxidize. What this means is that the wine will lose its flavor and intended color.

To prolong the life of the opened wine, you can use a vacuum pump to remove the oxygen from the bottle before you put the cork back. After recorking the wine, you can keep it in the wine fridge or your regular fridge and drink it the next day.

Protect Your Wines by Using This Guide for Proper Wine Storage

Wine storage is an integral part of the wine’s story. Storing wine correctly is critical to ensure that it ages well and retains its flavor. Surely, you don’t want to serve your guests spoiled wine when you invite them over for a little gathering.

If you’re a wine lover and are just starting to put up your wine collection, you need to know these tips for storing wine properly. Wine is a delicate beverage and should be treated as such to enjoy its flavor and aroma.

Follow the simple guide in this article, and you’ll be sure to keep your wine fresh and delicious for months or even years to come. Cheers!

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