The Art And Beauty Of Proper Wine Storage

Immediate gratification. That’s what most wines are for

We buy them because we want to drink them right away over a nice family dinner, or serve them to our guests. But then there are also wines bought for a greater purpose, and these bottles are patiently stored for months or years. Whatever that greater purpose is, proper storage is a must, and will benefit both buyer and the fine wines.
Wine, as they say, is a living thing.  Aging it should ideally progress at a nice, slow pace, and under perfect conditions – cool, dark and quiet. The practices of storing and aging wine has evolved through the years and today, they are best stored in temperature-controlled wine cellars, shielding them from their natural enemies. 
Storing Your Wine Properly
Wine’s natural enemies are heat, sunlight, temperature shifts and vibration. To make sure you don’t end up with bad bottles of wine, make sure to observe the following:

• Store your wine in a cool, dark place. Ideally, you should have a temperature controlled refrigeration unit.
• Keep them away from direct exposure to sunlight, as ultraviolet light leads to oxidation.
• Maintain a cool, constant temperature of 55 degrees Farenheit. As a general rule, 55 degrees is the perfect temperature for wines. 65 degrees is fine, but over 70 degrees is too warm. Remember, you have to avoid dramatic temperature fluctuations at all times.
• Do not store your wine in the fridge. The average fridge temperature is only 35 degrees Farenheit. The frequent opening and closing of the fridge door also makes the temperature fluctuate inside, affecting the wine. Temperature should be constant, otherwise, it is damaging.
• Humidity should be kept at bay. Less than the ideal humidity can dry out the cork, as this lets air get in and destroys the wine.
• Avoid storing wines in a shaky environment as this can adversely alter the taste of wine. This is also why fridges are not ideal, because they usually vibrate, causing the bottle to shake up the sediment in the wine or the cork to become loose, letting in air.
• Store your bottles on their sides or upside down to maintain moisture in the cork.

Aging Your Wine

Drink it now or lay it down for a while?  
As they age, wines gain complexity and lose that fruity taste. There are many factors that impact how long wines should be held before drinking: types of grapes, methods of production, storage conditions.
Although some wines are better consumed immediately, some wines really do taste better over time. This is why proper storage plays a crucial role in aging them. The complex chemical reactions of its sugars, acids and phenolic compounds can actually alter the aroma, color, taste and mouth feel of the wine in a good way.
All wines mature fairly quickly and shouldn’t really be kept more than five or six months in typical household conditions. Beyond six months, most wines will begin to deteriorate. Finer, more expensive wines that require aging need to be kept in a place that is constantly cool (50-60°F), dark, damp and without excessive vibration.

Storing Your Wine In Wine Racks And Wine Cellars

Since not everyone has a wine cellar, at most, you will need to find a place that is as close to the ideal conditions mentioned above as much as possible.
If you intend to store your wines in a wine rack, store them in this order, taking into consideration the fact that heat rises: sparkling wines on the lowest shelf, whites above them and reds above the white. Sparkling wines, requiring the lowest temperature, thus sit at the lowest temperature. Your rack should be away from direct light, as this will cause the wine to age more quickly and lose its flavor.
If you’re looking for an alternative to the wine rack, then try a small glass door wine refrigerator. This can actually store wine better than a rack, because the latter exposes your wines to the elements. Moreover, your small fridge also tends to prevent molding if you plan to store your wine for a long period of time.

If you’re a passionate wine collector, then choose to store wine in your own wine cellar. Make sure you use excellent wood and have it built by the best. After all, your wine cellar and your fine wines are an investment – they deserve only the best.
With a well stocked cellar, you can be sure of having the right wine at the right time. Indeed, it’s a perfect place for your wines to grow to maturity without any distraction.
Store, age, and appreciate your wines properly. Get your wine racks and wine cellars custom made from Joseph & Curtis Custom Wine Cellars.