We often get asked the question, “what’s the best way to store my wine?” and we get it, you’ve invested in a great bottle of wine and you want to keep it in tip-top shape until you’re ready to enjoy it. Well, fear not! We’ve got you covered with some super useful wine storage tips all in one handy guide.
If you’ve got a temperature-controlled wine fridge or an awesome underground cellar, then you’re already doing pretty well. For those of us who don’t have those luxuries, don’t worry - we’ve got some important rules to follow to ensure your wine collection stays in mint condition.
First things first, keeping your wine at the correct temperature is crucial. The ideal temperature for storing wine is between 10-13°C and the more consistent it is, the better. Avoid hot pipes, radiators, or anywhere with temperature fluctuations. The kitchen is the worst place in your home to store wine for long periods as temperature fluctuations can cause damage.
Don’t make the mistake of leaving your wine bottle in the fridge for too long. Wines should be kept cool, not chilled, so only pop your wine in the fridge shortly before serving it. Also, remember that the ideal temperature for serving wine may be different from the temperature at which it is stored.
Keep your wine still! Movement can distress your wine and affect the way it develops. Keep those bottles as motionless as possible and don’t be tempted to move them around. Even placing them near a speaker can be enough to distress the wine as the sound vibrations can change the way it tastes.
If your wine bottle uses a cork, store it horizontally to keep the cork moist and prevent it from drying out. This is where a wine rack comes in handy! If your bottle has a screw cap, you can store it vertically or horizontally - it won’t make a difference.
Light can also damage wine and cause temperatures to rise, so it’s important to keep your wine collection out of direct sunlight and harsh artificial lighting. Storing your bottles in complete darkness is the best solution if you can manage it.
Lastly, certain types of wine are better for ageing than others. Many reds are fantastic for long periods of ageing and can be stored for years or even decades. Just keep in mind that anything this old will need decanting before you serve it. On the other hand, wines under €20 are generally designed to be drunk immediately and should only be stored for a short period of time. We’d recommend 16 months for whites and 18-24 months for reds.
So there you have it - our top wine storage tips to keep your wine collection in perfect condition.
