Some days there’s nothing better than coming
home from work and pouring yourself a nice glass of wine. Whether you prefer
white or red, having the proper storage arrangement for your wine can be
critical. If you live somewhere warm like Florida, it is very important to make
sure your wine is kept at a moderate temperature and away from the sun. There
are many other factors that go into storing wine that can often be overlooked.
If you want to learn more about how you should and shouldn’t store wine in your
home read these tips from the wine experts.
What you Should Avoid
Saving wine past its
prime
One of the worst things you can do if you
store wine at home is to not drink it. Often, wine is collected and saved way
past its prime. Wine should be accessible and enjoyed for everyday pleasure. –Fernando
Beteta
Letting your corks dry
out
The optimal temperature should be 55 degrees
and 70% relative humidity. The higher humidity protects the cork from drying
out, which can lead to premature aging of the wine. –Arrowood Vineyards
Storing wine in the sun
Ultraviolet light can cause multiple problems
in stored bottles of wine. It can damage the wine and cause premature aging as
well as develop a bad smell in the wine; sunlight can actually cause your wine
to become stinky. Most wines that are meant for aging are bottled in colored
glass as the first line of defense against light damage. – Jason
Hanson, Hanson Vineyards
Keeping all your wine in the
cellar
Even if you have the perfect cellar for aging,
it’s helpful to have everyday wines close at hand. Storage conditions
aren’t as important when wine gets consumed soon after purchase, and that way,
I don’t have to run to the cellar every time I want a glass. Research is
showing that a glass or two of wine a night is part of a healthy diet and
lifestyle, so remember to eat your veggies and drink your fruit! –Côte
Bonneville
Leaving wine out after
opening
If you want to extend the life of a partially
consumed wine rehome your remaining wine into a smaller bottle or vessel
containing a screw cap to reduce the amount of air inside the container. A
narrow-mouthed mason jar or even a plastic water bottle would work, but glass
is preferred. –Joe Ibrahim, Willamette Valley Vineyards
If you do not finish a bottle of wine after
opening it you should store it in the fridge – this works for every color of
wine. It will last longer in the colder temperatures for enjoyment up to five
days later! –Coy Barnes, The Wine Wrangler
What you should do
Find the right
temperature
When storing wine, think 60/60. 60 degrees
Fahrenheit, and 60% humidity. For long term storage, wine does not like hot or
dry climates. Follow these guidelines and your wine can be tucked away for
years. –Ruby Vineyard & Winery
Organize your wine
Organize your wine so you can find the bottle
you are looking for. Firstly, organize by region. Then, organize
chronologically, the oldest bottles on the bottom of the rack, the newest wine
on top. –Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards
Store daily wines in the
refrigerator
Store your cherished wines in the safe dark
place and place your daily wines in your refrigerator and yes, even the daily
reds. Better to pull out the reds 1 hour before you enjoy them rather than
relying on the temperature or lighting of your house. –Gen 7 Wines
It’s always great to keep a few bottles of
whites chilling in your fridge, especially in the warmer months. However, if
you see small crystals of potassium bitartrate in your glass do not be alarmed.
The formation of these crystals is perfectly normal, especially in chilled wines
that have not undergone cold-stabilization, and they are not harmful. -Andrew
Browne, Precept Wine
Avoid heat
Avoid heat at all times, a basement or wine
refrigerator is best. However, a closest in a cool room would be a good alternative.
–Anthony Riboli, Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery
Use the best materials for your
Wine Cellar
If you’re building a dedicated wine room,
consider adding display counters, rolling drawers, and shelving with wine
cubbies. Also, consider the flooring – use reclaimed barrels. Barrels have been
in humid conditions before, and are primed for use in a home wine cellar. –JJ
Buckley Fine Wines
When looking for storage shelves, find ones
with angled displays so you can keep the cork moist, see the unique labels, and
be reminded of memories made visiting the winery. Allowing you to curate a wine
cellar that is truly impressive. –PEJU Winery
Invest in a wine fridge
Invest in one small wine fridge; even if it
just holds 6 bottles. Put anything you think you won’t drink for a year in
there. –PlumpJack Wine and Spirits
Age your wine properly
Certain wines age better than others. Whites
and roses don’t necessarily benefit from age. Most should be consumed within 1
to 2 years. However, red wines can easily age 3 to 10 years and develop some
interesting new flavors. –Patterson Cellars
Today wine producers create their wine to be
consumed young. If you choose to store, do so in a dark place where the
humidity and temperatures are consistent. –Vinoski Winery
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