Short Term vs. Long Term Wine Storage
Let’s talk about wine storage! First, you’ll need to figure out when you will be consuming the wine. Is it for a dinner party in a week or two or is this a bottle you’d like to store away in cellar perfect conditions for a number of years? How you store your wine will vary depending on when you plan on opening it.
Don’t forget: You can enter to win an 80-bottle Wine Enthusiast wine fridge through Instagram by signing up for our email list.
SHORT-TERM STORAGE
If you are planning to consume wine within a few weeks to a few months, storage is simple. Here there are a few tips we recommend to prevent the wine from spoiling.
- Keep the wine away from heat sources, like your stove or range.
- Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. If your kitchen counter has a lot of sun exposure, you should consider moving your wine into the pantry or cabinet.
Lastly, if you’re concerned about serving temperature, this easy “15-minute” hack will help ensure your wines are always served at just about the right serving temperature. (note: actual temperature results will vary based on the “room temperature” of your location and the strength and temperature setting of your refrigerator)
Store your white wines in the fridge and pull them out 15 minutes prior to serving them, so they can come up to “cellar temperature.” Serving white wines too cold mutes their aromas and flavors. (the exception here would be sparkling wines, which generally should be served as cold as possible.) For red wines, a quick 15 minutes in the fridge prior to serving can drop them to the optimal “cellar temp” of between 55 and 65 degrees F.
LONG-TERM STORAGE
There are four main factors to consider when selecting a long-term wine storage method: temperature, humidity, light. and vibration. The most ideal location to store your wine should be the coolest section of your house, like a basement or closet, away from sunlight and vibrations such as washing machines.
You may be wondering if you can store your wines in your traditional refrigerator. Unfortunately, there are negative effects to doing so. The air that is circulated through usually has been dehumidified and can dry out corks, increasing the risk of oxidation.
If your budget allows, store your wine in an environment where all factors are able to be controlled - like a wine refrigerator or wine cellar. Wine storage units come in a variety of sizes, features, and prices. We suggest viewing Wine Enthusiast’s extensive catalog to compare a variety of models that would best suit you and your wine needs.
Between September 1st and October 31st, 2021, you can enter to win an 80-bottle wine fridge through Instagram by signing up for our email list.