Learn How To Properly Take Care Of Your Wine

Wine can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Part of the enjoyment is learning about and cultivating a collection that is personal to you. Choosing and buying them is only part of it, they also need to be stored and looked after well. When stored and preserved correctly wine can last for centuries, increasing in quality and value. If stored incorrectly, even the best wine can spoil.

That’s why it’s so important to learn how to store wine. Here is what the pros recommend.

Temperature

Storing wine at the right temperature is of utmost importance. If the temperature is too extreme either way this can easily spoil the wine. The temperature you want to aim for, for both long and short-term preservation, is 55°F or 13°C. This number does change depending on the wine.

If you need to find out the optimum temperature, it is recommended to consult with the manufacturer. Ensure that it is not kept under 25°F (-4°C) as this can lead to freezing wine. Keeping the temperature over 68°F (20°C) can quicken the aging process of destroying compounds.

Keep an eye on the temperature and ensure it remains stable. If the temperature changes too much this can make the cork expand contract, spoiling the wine.

Keep It Horizontal

You must store your bottles in a horizontal fashion (if they have corks) on a rack. When on its side, the cork moistens which is important for storing wine long-term. A dried cork can cause the wine to age quickly or seep out.

You don’t need to store screw-top bottles horizontally but it is a clever and easy way to store your bottles.

Light

However long you’re storing your wine, try and keep it in an area that has little light. The UV rays can damage the flavor and aroma of the wine. You also want to keep your collection away from any vibrations like a dryer or speaker. These vibrations can affect the residue in the wine, interrupting the process that allows the wine to age well. This is why many people opt for wine ‘cellars’ as the wine is protected from both light and vibrations that could damage the wine.

Wine Fridge

Where you don’t have adequate space to store your wine in a place that is suitable for storing wine, your next best option is a wine fridge. You want to avoid a regular fridge as the temperatures are not optimum for wine storage whereas wine fridges keep the wine at the right temperature and humidity level. Storing your wine separately from your food can also prevent any cross-contamination.

Although it may be considered a little extravagant to purchase a fridge just to store wine in, wine is an investment and you want to ensure you are protecting your investment.

Humidity

If there are extremes in humidity levels where you are storing your wine this can spoil it. When the humidity is lower, corks can dry out exposing the wine to oxygen. Higher humidity levels can cause labels to peel off which makes it hard to sell or display effectively.

Serving

When serving your wine, serve it at the right temperature. You need to give it ample time to get to the right temperature. This allows the wine to be enjoyed fully. The exact temperature will depend on whether it is red or white and the age of the wine.

Storing Open Bottles

If you store it correctly, an open bottle can last for a few days. You need to ensure that you record the bottle quickly and tightly. To record it, place wax paper on the cork. This will allow the cork to ease into the bottle and make sure no bits of cork fall inside.

For a cork that may have been lost or thrown away, you can opt for something like a wine stopper. This creates a tight enough seal to store it for a few more days and retain its original flavors and aromas.

Cataloging

Cataloging your collection can make it a lot easier to find the bottle you’re looking for on any given day. The bigger your collection grows the harder it will be to locate bottles easily and quickly. You can even techy with this and download an app that makes it easier for you to do this.

Collecting and cultivating your collection of wines is fun and sometimes even quite lucrative. That’s why it’s so important to know how to store your wine properly. Being careless with this aspect can destroy all the work you’ve put into seeking out and buying your wine.