There are few rewards in life like enjoying a glass of wine. Whether you keep just a few bottles at home or want to build a dedicated cellar, the way you store this drink can preserve or deteriorate its flavor and aroma. By keeping your wine in the correct environment, you ensure that it will age well. To keep your beverage of choice at its best, read the following three tips for properly storing wine at home.
1. Keep Wine Cool and Moist
Perhaps the easiest way to spoil your wine is to store it at an incorrect temperature or humidity level. Read the label for temperature instructions. In general, the best temperature for storage is about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature fluctuations can cause the cork to loosen and allow liquid to seep out or air to seep into the bottle.
Generally, you should also store wine at a humidity level between 60 and 68 percent. Standard refrigerators are too dry and cold for most wines, so consider getting a wine fridge to keep the environment cool, moist, and stable.
2. Keep Bottles Horizontal
Store corked bottles horizontally. If you don’t have a wine cellar or cabinet, use a wine rack. Keeping the bottle on its side keeps the cork moist and prevents seepage. Plus, a rack will showcase your bottles attractively, use space efficiently, and provide easy access to your delicious drinks. A well-built wine rack helps the liquid age well.
Therefore, getting the right wine rack for your needs is a key element of properly storing wine at home. Most racks are constructed from wood, but they can also be constructed from metal or glass. Wine racks are versatile; you can place them in various spaces, including on tables, against walls, or stacked. Individual racks can also hold various bottle sizes and shapes.
3. Store Wine in the Dark
UV rays from direct sunlight can damage your drink, causing premature aging and damaging labels. The process of UV rays entering the bottle is called light strike, and it can negatively affect the taste and smell of your wine.
The bottle’s color can offer some protection against UV rays, but sun exposure can ruin the beverage within hours. For more expensive brands, store the bottles under LED bulbs, as other artificial lights can also cause UV damage.
Enjoy!
Keeping your wine bottles at the right temperature and humidity level—and away from UV light—can prevent spoilage and help your wine age well. Once you’ve found the correct environment, store your bottles horizontally to preserve the liquid’s aroma and taste. Use wine racks to keep a collection of any size organized and easy to access. With these three tips for properly storing wine at home, you can enjoy this drink for a long time to come.
