
How to Store Wine Properly and Why It Matters
Wine isn’t just a beverage; it’s an experience that captures the essence of place, time, and craftsmanship. To enjoy wine at its best, proper storage is essential. Incorrect storage can diminish flavors, spoil the wine, or even ruin its value. Here’s how to store wine properly and why it’s so important.
Why Proper Wine Storage Matters
Wine is a living product. Its flavors and aromas develop and evolve over time, influenced by how and where it’s stored. Poor storage conditions—such as exposure to heat, light, or fluctuating humidity—can cause the wine to age prematurely, lose its balance, or develop off flavors.
For enthusiasts and collectors, storing wine correctly preserves its quality and ensures you enjoy the wine as the winemaker intended. If you’ve invested in fine wine, proper storage also maintains its value over time.
The Basics of Wine Storage
Temperature Stability
Ideal Range: 45°F to 65°F (7°C to 18°C), with 55°F (13°C) being the sweet spot.
Why It Matters: Extreme heat can “cook” wine, making it taste stewed or flat. Even storage temperature in the high seventies will dramatically shorten the life of wine, turning white an ugly brownish color and reducing taste. This called maderization or oxidation. Reds that age prematurely turn pale and flat, and their color changes to brownish plum. Constant temperature fluctuations will also prematurely age wine. Fluctuations cause what is called the bellows effect. As temperature changes, the wine in the bottle expands and contracts, pumping air through the cork and causing oxidation. Freezing can push the cork out, exposing the wine to air.
Tip: Avoid temperature fluctuations, as they can force the wine to expand and contract, potentially damaging the seal.
Humidity Control
Ideal Range: 50% to 80% humidity.
Why It Matters: Low humidity can dry out corks, allowing air to seep in and spoil the wine. High humidity can lead to mold on labels, affecting the wine’s resale value.
Tip: A wine refrigerator or dedicated cellar often includes built-in humidity controls.
Light Protection
Why It Matters: UV rays from sunlight or fluorescent lighting can degrade wine, causing it to lose its vibrancy and develop undesirable flavors.
Tip: Store wine in a dark space or use UV-filtering glass if your collection is on display.
Proper Positioning
Why It Matters: Bottles sealed with corks should be stored on their sides to keep the cork moist, preventing air from sneaking in. Screw-capped bottles can be stored upright.
Tip: Use horizontal wine racks for cork-sealed bottles to save space and maintain optimal conditions.
Vibration-Free Environment
Constant movement can disturb the sediment in wine, affecting its flavor and aging process.
Tip: Avoid storing wine near appliances or areas with heavy foot traffic.
Odor
Wine “breathes” through its corks. Off odors from a room or a garage can get into a bottle over time and affect the flavors and aromas of the wine. Cigar smells are another common culprit.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Storage
Short-Term Storage
If you plan to drink the wine within a few weeks, storing it in a cool, dark pantry or a kitchen wine rack works fine.
Long-Term Storage
Wines meant for aging, such as fine reds or dessert wines, require precise temperature, humidity, and darkness to develop their full potential. A wine fridge or cellar is essential for long-term storage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Storing in the Kitchen
Kitchens are prone to temperature fluctuations from cooking and appliances. Avoid leaving wine near ovens, stovetops, or refrigerators.
Refrigerators for Long-Term Storage
Regular fridges are too cold and lack the proper humidity for long-term wine storage.
Leaving Bottles Upright for Too Long
For cork-sealed bottles, this can dry out the cork and lead to oxidation.
Invest in the Right Storage Solution
For casual wine drinkers, a small wine cooler can maintain the right conditions for a few bottles. Collectors may benefit from a temperature-controlled cellar or professional storage facilities, especially for valuable or aging wines.
Final Sip: It’s About Respect
Storing wine properly is about respecting the winemaker’s craft and ensuring the wine reaches your glass in its best possible state. Whether you’re saving a special bottle for a future celebration or simply enjoying a weeknight pour, proper storage enhances the experience.
Treat your wine well, and it will reward you with flavors worth savoring. Cheers!