If you are a wine connoisseur, knowing how to store wine is crucial. Here, we will guide you through our top seven tips about wine storage. 

When it comes to storing wine it is very important that you get it right. Wine is highly susceptible to changes in its environment. Improper wine storage can lead to the delicate balance of the wine being destroyed which can lead to changes in taste, the bottle becoming damaged and premature oxidation. 

Within this article, we will look at the elements that have the greatest effects on wine and guide you through our seven tips for how to store wine. 

The Elements That Have The Greatest Effect On Wine 

There are some elements that must be gotten right when it comes to wine storage. Get them wrong and you and your wine will regret it. Within this section, we will look at the elements that have the greatest effect on your wine. 

Temperature 

When it comes to how to store wine, a hot temperature is the biggest enemy to wine. Wine that has been exposed to warm temperatures can often take on a cooked or stewed characteristic. It can lead to maderisation which leads the wine to turn to vinegar. If the temperature stays hot for a long period of time, the heat can push the cork out of the bottle which will lead to oxidation. 

Cold temperatures are no better. In cold temperatures, the wine will expand which will also force the cork out of the bottle. 

Humidity 

A lack of humidity can also be disastrous for wine. Wine corks rely on humidity to stay in place. If the environment is too dry, the cork will shrivel which can cause premature oxidation. 

You also don’t want too much humidity as this will lead to the labels to fall off and your wine storage area will become mouldy. 

Light

Exposure to UV light will cause extreme damage to your bottle of wine. UV rays destroy the tannins which play an important role in preventing oxidation which can prematurely age wine.

Exposure to light can also cause the wine to become cloudy, give off strong odours and off-flavours. 

Position 

When you place wine into storage, you want it to move as little as possible. Any movement or vibration will shake up the wine, move around the sentiment and it can even heat and friction inside the bottle. 

Movement and vibration will change the structure of the wine which will change the experience you have when tasting it. The position of the bottle will also have an effect on the cork. 

Odours

Exposure to strong, sustained odours will have a negative effect on your wine. These odours can come from what you store your wine in, particularly if the storage is built from aromatic wood or has been stained or lacquered. The effecting odour could even just be something within the room, such as garlic, cigar smoke or household or garage chemicals. This means that storing your wine within your garage or kitchen is not the best idea. 

7 Tips On How To Store Wine 

This brings us nicely to our seven tips about how to store wine so it stays in its best condition, ready for you when you decide to open and drink it. 

1. Get The Temperature Right

The temperature that wine is stored at is fundamental to ensure that, when you drink it, the flavours and aromas are right. 

It is preferable that you store all wines at a temperature between 11.7 to 13.9 degrees celsius. This is the ideal temperature for red, white, sparkling and fortified wines to evolve. 

2. Avoid Fluctuating Temperatures

When it comes to temperature, you also need to make sure that the temperature does not fluctuate. Fluctuations in temperature can be really damaging to wine. Wine cabinets are designed to keep the temperature steady so it is always a good idea to store your wine within one of these. 

3. Get The Humidity Right 

Humidity is another important factor when it comes to how to store wine as the wrong type of humidity can lead to the cork drying out or mould growing on the bottles. 

The right level of humidity is between 50 and 70%. 

4. Get The Light Right 

As we have already talked about above, UV light is really not good for your wine but all light can cause some level of damage. It is best to store your wine away from all light sources, if you can, making darkness the best solution. 

5. Keep You Wine Still

When your wine is in storage, it is really important that it is kept as still as possible. Constant movement or motion will damage the structure of the wine, changing the flavour and aroma. 

6. Position It Correctly 

When it comes to the position in which you store your wine, it is best to store it on its side. This will ensure that the cork stays moist and swollen, preventing any wine getting into the bottle. 

7. Once Opened, You Still Need To Store It Correctly 

Once you open your wine, you need to continue storing your wine correctly. With proper storage, a good bottle of wine can last 3-5 days. The key to making it last this length of time whilst still retaining all its original qualities is to recork it promptly and tightly. 

To recork wine, you will need to place some wax paper around the cork and slide it back into its original position. The wax on the paper will ease the cork into the top and it will also ensure that no stray parts of the cork drop into the bottle. If recorking isn’t an option because the cork was damaged when getting it out of the bottle, a rubber wine stopper is an excellent alternative. 

For true wine connoisseurs, you may want to consider the upgraded option of recorking which is using a wine vacuum pump. This allows you to suck the air out of an open bottle, creating a nearly airtight seal.

Utlisting Self Storage For Your Wine Collection 

If you don’t have space in your home for your wine collection or if your home environment isn’t right for it, a self storage unit will be a great solution. 

A storage unit will provide you with a space that is large enough for your entire collection and you can add wine cabinets to store your wine and keep the temperature and humidity at the right level. Your wine collection will be kept safe as all professional self storage, like Cinch Self Storage, is fitted with state of the art security systems. 

All of our storage units are clean and windowless so your wine collection will be kept safe from light exposure. 

How To Store Wine 

When it comes to how to store wine, it is really important for the quality of the wine and your enjoyment whilst drinking it, that you get the storage right. 

Elements such as temperature, humidity, light, position and odour all need to be gotten right to ensure that your wine stays in the best condition possible. 

If you do not have the space, at home, our self storage will be able to provide you with a unit that is perfect for your wine collection. 

We hope you have found our article helpful. If you would like to know more about our self storage units, please click here.