To get the most from every bottle, it’s important to store wine properly. These cellaring tips are a great place to start.
Looking at creating your very own wine cellar? To get the most from each and every bottle, it’s important to store your wine properly and that’s true whether you plan on popping some of those corks in six months or many years from now.
Here are some simple tips for those new to cellaring, plus a few insights on how proper storage can affect the actual structure and taste of that wine you’re looking forward to sipping at a later date:
Temperature and Humidity
Consistent temperature and humidity are two of the most important aspects of wine storage. If you do not have an existing wine cellar or wine fridge, try to find a space that is cool, dark and dry, such as a corner of the basement or even a closet. Try to avoid storing your wine in locations with frequent temperature changes (such as in the kitchen where heat from the stove or other appliances) or in damp environments.
If your wine storage space is too hot, you can end up cooking your wine – you’ll actually taste a stewed flavour in your glass if that happens. On the other hand, if conditions are too cold, the wine will expand (there is water in that grape juice, after all) and you’re in danger of an exploding cork when you try to open the bottle. Makes sense that wine is not shipped in the coldest winter months, right?
Aim for 12-13°C (approximately 55°F) with your wine storage area, and that works for all types of wine – red, white, rosé and sparkling.
On the humidity topic, aim for a middle ground, about 50 to 80 percent humidity. If conditions are too dry, corks can dry out resulting in premature oxidation of your wine; if too damp, the danger is that mold will start forming on that wine cork.
Light, or Lack Thereof
There’s a reason those gorgeous old wine cellars are so dim and romantic looking – and dark! The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can break down the tannins in wine and diminish its structure and flavour. White wines, as a result, are more susceptible to sun damage than reds. This is also the reason that many wineries bottle their vintages in dark-coloured glass, and why it’s also important that your wine cellar or storage space should be kept in the dark.
Positioning: Keep it Calm and Cool
Positioning: Keep it Calm and Cool Storing your wine on its side – in horizontal positioning – will help keep its cork moist, which is essential to proper aging of a wine since that cork controls the wine’s humidity and prevents oxidation. Keep your storage still and quiet too, since vibration can agitate sediment and move it around within the bottle and negatively affect a wine’s structure. With this in mind, stay far away from your washer and dryer, exercise area or stereo system and speakers when designating the space for your growing wine collection. Excessive movement can essentially eliminate the lustre of a wine, too, leaving it tasting flat and blah.
Avoid Harsh Odors
Just as you should be careful about temperature, humidity and light when setting up your wine cellar, so too should you keep in mind that wine is scent-sensitive. It’s therefore not a great idea to establish your storage area right next to a nasty-smelling garage.
