Wine has existed for thousands of years. From the ancient Romans to modern Americans; wine is produced and enjoyed all of the world. Wine is an incredibly complex drink. You need to store wine properly!
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Cheap bottles today no longer mean low quality wine, there are award-winning wines being sold for under $10, and there are still vintages being sold for hundreds of dollars that are unforgettable. But how is best to store wine at home?
To most, wine is mainly to be drunk and enjoyed, not preserved. Most wines today are made to be taken within 1-2 years. Storing wine properly is crucial. Ultimately, what is the best way to store wine at home?
Crucial Steps To Store Wine At Home:
How To Preserve Wine Properly At Home:
How does one store wine so it retains all its flavor and subtle aromas? If you do not have a wine cellar, and even if you do; there are many factors involved. From type of cork to temperature/humidity, lighting, and how the bottle is placed, there is an answer for every question. These are some of our tips for storing wine properly at home.
Temperature, Humidity, and Place of Storage:
Ideally, wine should be at a constant temperature between 12º and 16º. The important thing with respect to temperature is that the wine does not suffer thermal oscillations. That is, the temperature of the bottle does not vary. Temperature controlled wine-cellar aside, it is therefore important that you do place the bottle of wine somewhere we the temperature does not fluctuate, even if you can’t keep it at the proper temperature. It is not advisable to store them in the kitchen where the temperature can fluctuate several degrees when cooking. Therefore, It would be best to store them in a cellar, basement or storage room where there are no heating or air-conditioning systems.
If you can’t keep a bottle away from the light, wrap it carefully a cloth or simply put it in a box.
The Answer:
The best place to store wine must have consistent and nonfluctuating relative humidity between 70% and 80%. This ensures the quality of the wine persists over time, and that the cork does not dry or go damp; ruining the taste or crumbling into the bottle.
To know the temperature and humidity levels at all times, simply place a thermometer and a hygrometer next to the bottle, or in the room they are stored. This will ensure you have a constant readout and can keep them under control at all times. Once again, it is crucial to protect your wines from substantial thermal fluctuations.
Wine must be stored in a dark place. The effect of light on the bottles can produce chemical reactions such as oxidation in the wine and degrade its quality very rapidly. If the place you have chosen has a lot of light, place the bottles in boxes or relocate them.
Additionally, another factor to be taken into account is that there is good ventilation, to prevent the wine from being free of odours. Ventilation is also a priority so there is not excessive moisture that can cause the proliferation of fungi.
The Bottle: Lying Down or Standing Up:
Bottles with corks should be kept lying down, to prevent air from getting into the wine. With upright bottles, the cork dries out, which tends to reduce elasticity, so the cork shrinks. If air can get to the wine, it will oxidize and degrade. Bottles with a plastic cork can be stored upright because there is no possibility that air can penetrate the bottle. It is also important that the bottles do not vibrate so that the wine rests properly.
Storing wine at home is crucial to wine investment!
Preservation time
Not all wines improve over time. Furthermore, different wines have recommended years which they should age. That is why it is essential to distinguish which wines are good to preserve and which ones are best to drink soon. To determine this, you must take into account their age, origin, type of grape, and above all, the place where the bottles have been stored (it is always advisable to buy them in the winery where conservation will always be optimal).
Keep it in a dark place
Store all wines away from light, especially direct sunlight and fluorescent lamps. UV rays can cause the wine to acquire an unpleasant aroma. Darker bottles are better protected and some have UV filters included in the glass, but a sufficiently high amount of UV rays can penetrate anyways and ruin the wine. If you can’t keep a bottle away from the light, wrap it carefully a cloth or simply put it in a box. If exposed to light occasionally, make sure it comes from incandescent lamps or sodium vapour. Remember to keep the temperature and humidity controlled.
Isolate the wine
Remember that wine “breathes”, so don’t store it next to something that has a strong odour, as it will penetrate through the cork and contaminate it. This is also a great example of why good ventilation is important as it can help prevent moisture odours from coming into contact with the wine.
After opening the wine
Store an open white wine in a cellar or cupboard. If you don’t have either of them, put it in the refrigerator. Usually, this will only keep a wine okay to drink for three to five days.
Conclusion:
The first and most important rule of thumb is that the bottles must always be kept horizontal so as not to let the cork dry. Where you store your wines, you should never keep “aromatic” elements such as chemicals or vegetables, especially onions and potatoes. The cork absorbs the aromas from outside the bottle and incorporates them into the wine. Wine must be stored in the dark, in as temperature and humidity controlled an environment as possible, ensuring the best qualities of your wine remain and grow. Most importantly, treat your wine with care, and it will take care of you when it comes time to drink it.