6 Tips for Storing Wine at Home

Choosing and buying wines are only a part of the process: they also have to be stored. When preserved correctly, wine can last for many years, even centuries, growing in value and quality. But poor storage can spoil even the best wines within the world.

1.Store Wine at the Right Temperature.

Of all the factors influencing the standard of stored wine, temperature is probably the foremost important. Unsuitably warm or cold temperatures are a sure way to spoil wine. generally, the perfect temperature for long-term or short-term wine storage is around 55ºF (13ºC), but this will vary from wine to wine. For temperature recommendations about specific wines, consult the manufacturer. no matter the sort or label, wine should never be kept below 25 °F (-4ºC), which can cause wine to freeze, or above 68°F (20°C), which may accelerate the aging process and destroy volatile compounds. most importantly, your wine storage temperature should be kept as stable as possible: temperature fluctuations can cause the cork to expand and contract, allowing wine to seep out (or air to seep in) around it.

2.Tore Wine Bottles Horizontally.

For bottles with corks, make certain to store your wine horizontally during a wine rack. Keeping wine on its side helps keep the cork moist, which is vital for long-term storage, as a dried-out cork can cause seepage and premature aging. While it’s not necessary to stay screw-top wine bottles on their sides, horizontal storage is nevertheless an efficient way to store your wines for max space and easy access.

3. Protect Wine from Light and Vibration.

Whether you’re storing it for months, weeks, or days, keep your wine within the dark as much as possible. UV rays from direct sunlight can damage wine’s flavors and aromas. you ought to also keep wines faraway from sources of vibration, like your washer and dryer, exercise area, or stereo system. Vibrations can disturb sediments in the bottle, disrupting the fragile process that causes wines to age favorably.

4.Store Wine at the proper Humidity.

Humidity extremes in your wine cellar or storage area also can impact your wine’s longevity. At lower humidity levels, your corks can dry out, leaving the wine vulnerable to the consequences of oxygen, while higher humidity can cause labels to peel off the bottles, making them difficult to display or sell. generally, your cellar humidity should be between 60 and 68 percent.

5.Store Wine in a Wine Fridge, Not a regular Fridge.

If you don’t have a wine space for storing that’s consistently cool, dark, and moist, a wine refrigerator (also referred to as a wine cooler) may be a good idea. Unlike a standard refrigerator, which keeps your food very cold and dry, a wine fridge keeps wine between 50-60˚F (10-15˚C) and at the right humidity. (A good fridge also will have a cooler setting for champagne.) Keeping your wine in a separate wine fridge also helps prevent cross-contamination from food odors. If cost may be a concern, remember: wine is often an investment, and in that case, a good wine fridge is a way to protect your investment.

6.Serve Wine at the Right Temperature.

When preparing to serve a stored bottle to fellow wine lovers, allow time for it to return up (or down) to the proper serving temperature. This ensures full expression of wine aroma and flavor. red wine should be served chilled slightly below temperature, somewhere between 58 and 65˚F (about 12-19˚C). The precise temperature is decided by the age of the wine, with older wines being held better at 61-65˚F and younger wines on the colder end of the spectrum. Reds with stronger tannins should be kept on the hotter end of the temperature spectrum than lighter red wines, which may go as cold as 55˚F. White wines, meanwhile, can and will be served colder than reds. But they mustn't be kept so cold on affect the aromas. Instead, white wine should be chilled between 45-55˚F (8-12˚C). White sparkling wines should get on the colder end of that spectrum, as should sweet white wines. Champagne should be served coldest of all, at 38-45˚F (5-8˚C).