Wine storage may seem like a simple task, but once you start collecting wine, you quickly learn it’s much more nuanced.
“Proper storage temperatures and conditions are extremely important regarding the quality of wine over long periods of time,” shares Jessica Dukes, sommelier at Grande Lakes Orlando. One of the main factors to consider is the integrity of the cork, which requires a combination of optimal conditions, including temperature, humidity and avoiding sunlight as well as the angle of storage.
Tips For Home Wine Storage
Below, I asked three wine experts to debunk the most frequently asked questions around wine storage, from what temperature to store wine at to why wine should be stored in dark conditions.
Best Temperatures To Store Wine
The ideal wine storage temperature varies by style. Dukes suggests storing Champagne between 40 to 50°F; white wine between 45 to 55°F and red wine between 55 to 65°F. “The biggest threat to wine is temperature fluctuation,” says Camille Syren, brand director at Goguette, a French wine fridge manufacturer with a design that helps collectors store their wine at precise temperatures. “Even small variations can damage aromas and change the way a wine tastes.”
In general, you want to avoid the extremes, adds Megan Brodie, global wine director for Archer Roose Wines. “Wine stored in a warm environment can cause accelerated oxidation and cook the wine (it can start to taste like stewed fruit or a bit raisiny—or just dull and flat),” says Brodie. Conversely, cold temperatures can dry out a cork or “cause other issues such as the formation of tartaric crystals, which while perfectly natural, are a bit unsettling to the average consumer.”
How To Store Canned Wine Properly
“Storing canned wine at an optimal temperature is also very important, as heat can accelerate the degradation of the can liner and cause the wine to develop off-aromas,” says Brodie.
Serving Vs. Storage Temperatures For Wine
No, is the short answer. “Red wines show their best character at serving temperature between 57 and 64°F,” says Syren. “White wines’ freshness shines at tasting between 46 and 54°F and sparkling wines are most vibrant when served between 43 and 50°F,” adds Syren.
Why Your Kitchen Fridge Isn’t Ideal For Wine Storage
“Refrigerators are too cold, too dry, and built for food—not wine,” says Syren. While popping a bottle in the fridge 20 minutes prior to eating or even a week before you intend to pour it won’t do much harm, the experts recommend storing wine in the refrigerator for no longer than a month. When the environment is too cold, the cork will dry out and risk spoilage.
When To Use A Wine Fridge vs. Long-Term Storage
Wine refrigerators are great for short-term storage—about a year is ideal—but if you’re aging a bottle of wine for multiple years, it’s better to invest in long-term storage. If you’re able to invest in a wine refrigerator for your “drink soon” bottles, Syren explains that there are different versions to suit your purposes. “With a three-zone Goguette fridge, you can separate storage areas by wine type and even keep bottles ready to pour,” says Syren. “With a single-zone fridge, you simply bring the bottle to serving temperature once you take it out.” Using a three-zone fridge also allows you to dedicate a cooler section for white wines and a sparkling-friendly section for Champagne so you can keep all your bottles in one place.
The Right Way To Position Wine Bottles
The majority of wine bottles should be stored horizontally, on their side. “This keeps the wine in contact with the cork and keeps it wet,” says Dukes, explaining that if the cork dries out, it can shrink and become brittle, which will not store the wine properly. “The storage position is less important for wines that have a screw cap or are packaged in a can,” shares Brodie, as these wines are already sealed in an airtight container. The latter refers to sparkling wines and Champagne which can be stored vertically.
Why Does Humidity Matter For Wine Storage?
“Humidity is important in keeping the condition of the cork pristine,” says Dukes. If your storage room is too dry, the cork can dry out but if the room is too humid, the cork can become too wet and not cool the wine properly. “Oxygen is good for wine in small quantities and slowly. A good cork will slow the oxidation of a wine over time. If you have a faulty cork, too much oxygen can ruin your wine,” adds Dukes. For this reason, store your wines where the humidity averages between 60 to 70 percent, says Brodie.
Why Is it Important For Wine To Be Stored In The Dark?
Avoid your wine collection’s prolonged exposure to sunlight for the same reason that you want to store it at the ideal temperature; you don’t want to trigger a chemical reaction from the UV rays. While many wine bottles are dark, as this is better for aging, this isn’t always the case. “The color of the bottle you can't control, but you can control where you store your wine, focusing on keeping it away from windows and light,” says Dukes, who keeps her wine rack in her closet. “Fun fact,” she adds, “The prestigious Cristal Champagne insists on using clear glass for its bottles, but they sell their bottles in an orange wrapper, which reflects the light away from the bottles for the best aging conditions.”
How Long can I Store Wine On The Kitchen Shelf?
You shouldn’t store wine bottles on your kitchen shelf for more than a week as this “exposes them to light, heat, and constant fluctuations,” says Syren. As you just read, these conditions can spoil a wine quickly so don’t risk displaying them this way.