We’ve all seen movies where the wealthy gentleman pulls a fancy, 100-year-old bottle from his schmaltzy wine cellar.
And while a fancy wine cellar might not be in your budget, there are ways you can store your favorite bottles to ensure that they really do last for ages. Or at least long enough to hold their flavor rather than turning into something that resembles vinegar.
When it comes to storing your wine, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:
- The orientation of the bottle
- Temperature
- Long term vs. short term storage
This graphic from Firstleaf gets down to all the important details to consider:
Image Source: Firstleaf.
7 More Tips on How to Store Wine
But the tips don’t stop there! Here are a few more things to consider before you pop open that next bottle of vino.
1. Cheap wines are not made to last. Even the best storing techniques won’t help them age well. So crack open that Two Buck Chuck within a year of buying it!
2. The temperature matters, but not as much as you think. Ideal wine storage is anywhere from 44 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Even at a slightly higher temperature, your wine will be fine for a few years. What matters most is keeping that temperature consistent throughout the year. Changes in temperature will impact quality.
3. Humidity matters most for natural corked bottles. If that bottle has a natural cork top, you want a humidity of around 70 percent. For synthetic cork or screw caps, humidity shouldn’t matter so much.
4. Keep it in the dark. Like essential oils, light is bad news for wine. Store it in a dark place if you want it to age well.
5. Tip it. Like humidity, you only need to store wine bottles on their sides if the top is made from natural cork.
6. Avoid moving it. There’s no shame in letting your bottles gather a little dust. Jostling your bottle too much can damage the wine, so choose a spot a stick with it till you’re ready to enjoy a glass.
7. Invest in a wine rack or DIY your own. The best way to ensure that you’re storing your wine properly is to establish a cool, dark place where it can be stored horizontally. A simple wine rack is easy to DIY or buy online and you’ll finally have a place for your wine that’s not stashed next to the fridge or shoved in the pantry.
