Have you become more serious about collecting wine and are interested in learning how to store wine so that it ages properly and maintains its flavor? Then the Wine Storage 101 guide from How Long To Cook is the perfect place to get started on your journey to becoming a wine connoisseur. With this wine guide, you’ll learn about the different factors that can affect wine storage: Temperature, humidity, light, vibrations, and even nearby odors can have an affect on how wine tastes. Read on for the best methods for storing wine at home, some of our favorite wine storage ideas, and some helpful wine tips!
Store wine in a cool, dry, dark location to preserve its flavor and aid in the wine aging process. Allowing UV light from the sun, and even some light bulbs, can heat the wine, which leads to oxidation and accelerates wine aging. LED light bulbs can be used in wine storage, as they do not give off UV radiation. The location of the wine should also be free of vibrations, which can disturb the sediments and disrupt the aging process.
What direction should wine bottles be stored in? Bottled wine should be stored horizontally so that the wine comes in contact with the cork and keeps it moist. When wine bottle storage is upright, the cork dries out and becomes brittle, although a wine bottle with a screw top can be stored horizontally or vertically.
The best temperature to store wine is between 45ºF (7ºC) and 65ºF (18ºC), although the ideal temperature for wine storage is 55ºF (13ºC). Keep the temperature consistent, as fluctuating temperatures can cause the cork to expand and contract, allowing air to seep in or wine to seep out. When wine is stored at higher temperatures, it accelerates the aging of the wine. At what temperature does wine freeze? Wine stored at temperatures below 25°F (-4ºC) can freeze, causing the wine to expand and potentially damage the cork.
Store wine at a humidity level between 50% and 80% to maintain its flavor. The ideal humidity level for wine storage has been found to be 70%. When the humidity is too low, the cork can dry out, letting air in and spoiling the wine. Placing a pan of water where the wine bottles are stored can help to increase the humidity levels around them. High humidity levels, on the other hand, can lead to mold growth. If the humidity level is too high, a dehumidifier can be used to lower it to a more desired level.
Yes, an unopened bottle of wine can go bad. Different types of wine have different shelf lives.
Most regular wines can be stored for 1 to 3 years before they start to go bad, while fine wines can be stored for over a decade. The wines with the shortest shelf life are white wines, which can be stored for 1 to 2 years. Red wines can be stored for 2 to 3 years, and cooking wines are good for 3 to 5 years.
Why are fine wines able to be stored for so many years? Fine wines are made with a specific balance of tannins and sugars that allow the wine to be stored for many years. This long period of time is what gives aged wine its rich flavor.
An open bottle of wine can last for 2 to 7 days before the process of oxidation begins to sour the flavor. Some wines, like sparkling and white whines, are more sensitive to the oxidation process and begin to go bad sooner than darker wines. Port wines are least sensitive to the oxidation process and can last for one to three weeks once opened.
Sparkling wine: 1–2 days
White wine and rosé: 3–5 days
Red wine: 3–6 days
Dessert wine: 3–7 days
Port wine: 1–3 weeks
Absolutely! Storing opened wine in the fridge will help it maintain freshness and flavor. Be sure to promptly seal the opened bottle of wine with its original cork or a rubber stopper to slow the oxidation process. If the wine cork won’t go back into the bottle, wrap wax paper around the bottom of the cork to make it easier to slide it back into the bottle. This method also works to keep pieces of a damaged cork from falling into the bottle of wine.
When it comes to enjoying wine with a meal, you can’t beat the classic pairing of red wine with steak or white wine with chicken or fish. What is your favorite food to enjoy with a nice glass of wine?
Store wine at the right temperature, and keep it consistent.
Keep the temperature between 45ºF (7ºC) and 65ºF (18ºC). The ideal temperature for wine storage is 55ºF (13ºC).
Below 25°F (-4ºC) freezes wine, causing it to expand and damage the cork.
Above 68°F (20°C) accelerates aging.
Fluctuating temperatures can cause the cork to expand and contract, allowing wine to seep out or air to seep in.
Store wine at the proper humidity.
Keep humidity levels between 50% and 80%; the ideal humidity level is 70%.
Low humidity causes the cork to dry out, letting air in and spoiling the wine.
High humidity can cause mold.
If humidity is too low, place a pan of water in the storage area. If humidity is too high, use a dehumidifier.
Avoid light: Store wine in a dark location.
Ultraviolet light from the sun and incandescent light bulbs can heat up the wine, pushing the cork out and causing oxidization. This alters the flavor of the wine and accelerates aging.
LED lights can be used in a wine cellar to keep your wines safe.
“Lightstruck” is when wine gives off a funny smell from being hit by ultraviolet rays.
Protect wine from vibration.
Vibrations can disturb sediments in the bottle, which takes away from the aroma and flavor and disrupts the aging process.
Keep wine away from your washer and dryer, exercise equipment, power tools, stereo system, electric musical instruments and amps, dishwasher, and the top of the refrigerator.
Store wine bottles horizontally.
Storing bottles with corks horizontally keeps the cork moist, a necessity for long-term storage and to keep the cork from becoming brittle and falling apart.
Bottles with screw tops can be stored horizontally or vertically.
Store wine away from odors.
Corks are porous, which allows the wine to breathe but also allows strong odors to permeate the cork and taint the flavor of the wine.
Keep wine away from garbage cans, food like garlic and onions, paint cans, and cleaning products.
Storing wine in the fridge long-term can allow odors from food to permeate the cork and bottle.
Store wine for the appropriate amount of time.
Most bottles of wine can be stored for 1 to 3 years before going bad. Select wines with a specific balance of tannins and sugars get better with age and can be stored for more than a decade.
White whites: 1–2 years
Red wines: 2–3 years
Cooking wines: 3–5 years
Fine wines: 10–20 years
Use a wine cellar for aging wines over a long period of time.
Wine cellars are the best choice to promote proper aging of fine wines that will be stored for years. Benefits of wine cellars include:
Mimics the underground environment, where it’s always 55ºF (13ºC).
Better control over humidity levels.
Protect wine from vibrations.
Big enough to hold a large collection of wine.
Store wine in a wine fridge rather than in a regular fridge.
A wine fridge is a good choice for those without a wine cellar that is consistently dark and cool. The wine fridge temperature is correct, unlike a regular fridge, and avoids contamination from food odors.
Store open bottles of wine correctly to maintain flavor.
Reseal the bottle promptly and tightly with the original cork or a rubber stopper and store at lower temperatures, like the fridge, to keep it fresher longer.
Opened wines last:
Sparkling wine: 1–2 days
White wine and rosé: 3–5 days
Red wine: 3–6 days
Dessert wine: 3–7 days
Port wine: 1–3 weeks
To easily recork the bottle, wrap wax paper around the bottom of the cork to help it slide back in. This will also keep any pieces of cork from falling into the wine.
A wine vacuum pump can keep opened bottles fresher for longer by sucking the air out of the bottle to create an airtight seal.