Wine Storage Tips & Tricks

So you picked up some wine that you’re not planning on drinking right away (some people may completely object to this) Now the question is how exactly do you store it to maintain the best quality?

First off, it’s valuable to know that not all wines on the market actually benefit from long-term aging. Most wines are best enjoyed within a few years of their release. If you’re looking to buy wines to age, you should really consider investing in a wine storage system—a totally different ballgame.

If that’s not something you see yourself doing, following a few simple tips should keep your wines safe until you’re ready to uncork and drink them.

Found a Cool Wine? Keep it in a Cool Place

Heat is the mortal enemy of wine. Temperatures higher than 70° F will age a wine more quickly and in the end you will have a wine that isn’t very desirable to your palate. And if the temp rises even hotter, your wine may get “cooked,” resulting in dead aromas and flavors. The ideal temperature range is between 45° F and 65° F (55° F is often known as perfect), though this isn’t an exact science. If your storage runs a couple degree or two warmer or cooler, it shouldn’t affect the wine too much as long as you’re opening the bottles within a few years from their release.

Keeping wines in your refrigerator is ok for up to a couple months, but it’s not your best bet for the longer term. The average fridge temp usually falls well below 45° F to safely store perishable foods. The lack of moisture inside your refrigerator could eventually dry out corks, which might allow air to get into the bottles and damage the wine. Also, it is important not to keep your wine somewhere it could freeze (unheated garage in winter, forgotten for hours in the freezer). If the liquid starts turning to ice, it could expand enough to push the cork completely out… a scary situation.

Lights Out!

Light, especially sunlight, can pose a potential problem for long-term wine storage. The sun’s UV rays can damage and prematurely age wine. Have you ever wondered why many vintners use colored glass bottles? They’re like sunglasses for wine and help with the wines protection. Light from household bulbs probably won’t damage the wine itself, but can fade your labels in the long run and i’m sure you want to know what you’re drinking. Incandescent bulbs may be a little bit safer than fluorescent bulbs, but all in all it’s best to keep your wine in the dark.

Sideways, Not Just a Movie

Traditionally, bottles have been stored on their sides in order to keep the liquid up against the cork, which theoretically keeps the cork from drying out. The cork keeps its size and so maintains a tight seal against the outside air. The only air that gets in is through the small pores in the cork–the perfect amount to age the wine well. If you’re planning on drinking these bottles in the near- to mid-term, or if the bottles have alternative closures (screw caps, glass or plastic corks), this is not necessary.

Rack Those Bottles Up

If you haven’t been blessed with a cool (not too damp) basement that can double as a cellar, you can always improvise with some simple racks in a safe place. Rule out your kitchen, laundry room or anywhere else hot temperatures could affect your wines, and look for a location not directly in line with light pouring in from a window.

If you can, find some type of empty storage area that could be utilized for storing wine. If you have a dark, stable space that’s not too damp or dry, but it is too warm, you might consider investing in a small temperate controlled unit specifically designed for wine. There are some inexpensive systems for small spaces. Remember though if you do decide to buy one of these systems, you will probably end up filling it sooner then you expected so make sure you think hard about which system you would like to buy. Once you’ve started collecting wines to drink later, it can be hard to stop.

If you have questions whether it be Faustini wines or others feel free to ask questions! Wineries, wine merchants, sommeliers or even avid wine connoisseurs generally know what works best when it comes to wine storage and may even give you some tricks of their own.

Till next time oneophiles… Cheers!