Wine Storage Essentials You Must Know

If you have purchased wines that you are not going to drink right away, what should you do with it? Well, first things first, it is wise to know that only a few wines available today receive an advantage from aging for a long time.

A lot of wines are best consumed within one or two years of release. So, if you want to shop for wines for long-term aging, then you need to think about investing in high-quality wine storage, which is undoubtedly a different situation.

However, for some, sticking to several guidelines and directives should help keep your wines secure until you are ready to consume them. Here are some of the wine storage basics you need to know to keep your wines at their best. 

Keep it Cool, But Not Too Cool

Keep in mind that heat is the chief enemy for wines. Thus, temperatures at least 70° F will make a wine mature more quickly than usual. Also, your wine might get cooked, leaving you with flat flavors and aromas. 

The best temperature range for storing wines is between 45° F and 65° F. But don’t worry if your wine storage gets a little warmer, provided that you are drinking the wines within several years from their release. 

Moreover, keeping your wines cool in your refrigerator is okay for a few months. However, it is not ideal for longer-term. Take note that the average temperature of a refrigerator falls at least 45° F to properly store perishable foods. 

Thus, the deficiency of moisture could dry out corks, allowing air to enter the bottles and ruin the wine. Additionally, do not store your wine in the freezer because if the wine turns to ice; it could push the cork out. It is wise to store wines in your basement since they are damp, dark, and cool. 

How Long to Store Wine

Well, it relies upon how excellently the wine is stored and the type of wine. Most white wines should be consumed within three years. Generally, most mass-market whites like Roussanne Wines, are crisp upon release and are best consumed to their vintage year as much as possible.

For red wines, they can be stored for a long time, provided that they’re stored correctly. A lot of ready to drink wines are at their finest and greatest quality within five years of production. On the other hand, when it comes to open bottles, the situation becomes different.

Opened bottles stored in the fridge with a cork usually last at least 28 days, depending on the type of wine. 

• Red Wine: 3-5 days
• Light Rosé and White Wine: 5-7 days
• White Wine (Full-bodied): 3-5 days
• Sparkling Wine: 1-3 days
• Bag-in-a-Box Wine: 28 days
• Fortified Wine: 28 days

Lights

Keep in mind that light, particularly sunlight, can be a problem for long-term wine storage. The UV rays of the sun can prematurely age and degrade wine. For this reason, many vintners and wine producers alike use colored glass bottles, which are deemed sunglasses for wine. 

Other than this, light from the bulbs of your home can fade or decolorize the labels of the wine, but it won’t ruin the wine itself. Opt for incandescent bulbs because they discharge little amounts of ultraviolet light.

Store Wines Sideways

Normally, wine bottles are stored sideways to make the wine reach the cork, thus, keeping the cork from drying out. Also, it keeps the cork from becoming smaller in size and won’t allow air to enter the bottle. 

Remember that when air seeps into the wine, the outcome is bad. The wine will start to oxidize, and the color, flavors, and aromas will spoil. Think of brown apples, for instance. 

But this is not necessary if the bottles have different closures like plastic corks or if you want to consume these wines later on. However, storing your wines sideways is a space-efficient solution. 

Keep It Still

Theoretically speaking, the vibration could pose a problem in your wine as it can speed up the chemical reactions in the wine. The constant vibration distresses the wine and could keep the residue from settling in the wine. 

Takeaway

If you don’t have a basement that can serve as a wine cellar, then you can make some simple racks in a cool, not-too-damp place. Rule out your boiler room, laundry room, or kitchen because hot temps could adversely impact your wines. 

Search for a place that has the least windows or even none. Moreover, if you plan to store your wines in your refrigerator, keep the temperature low. If none of these are viable options for you, then buy a wine cooler. Wine coolers can be perfect for storing wines in the long-term. Ultimately, just remember to keep it sideways, still, dark, and cool to store wines successfully.