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Storing Wine

Wine Storage Basics

Most wines are not meant to be stored for long periods of time. However, some types of wine are meant to be stored and actually improve in quality as they age. Some have even been kept for over 100 years without going bad! However, most people do not know the fundamentals of storing wine properly, which results in a much shorter shelf life.

If you do plan on storing wine for a while, there are several things to keep in mind when finding a place to store your wine. Each can have a significant impact on the shelf life of your wine, and ignoring any of them can cause it to go bad quickly.

1. Light
Light is the number one destroyer of wine. Most modern glass bottles are made with materials that block most light rays. However, leaving the bottle in any kind of light can still break down the wine and leave it tasting like wet cardboard. This should be a concern for anyone bottling their own wine, as most bottles sold at home brew and home wine-making stores are cheap and will not block light.

2. Humidity
Store your bottles in a relatively moist area, preferably higher than 75 percent humidity. This will keep the cork from drying out, which exposes the liquid inside to the elements (this is bad). Obviously don't store it in too moist of an area, or you will have mold.

3. Temperature
Colder temperatures will slow the aging of all wines. It's basic chemistry: lower temp=slower-moving molecules=slower chemical reaction! Since the aging of wine is a chemical reaction, the same principal applies! The generally agreed-upon temperature is around 55°F (13°C). Also, try to make sure that the temperature stays constant, and does not fluctuate.

4. Vibration
Wine should never be shaken, bumped, or vibrated. This greatly increases the rate of chemical breakdown. So, keep your bottles in an out of the way area where it will not be disturbed (not on the other side of the wall from your stereo system!).

Aside from these environmental factors, here are a few tips to keep your wine tasting great:

Always keep the bottles on their side. This will keep the corks moist.

Consider investing in a wine cellar or closet. These are engineered to provide your wine with the ideal storage conditions. Check out WineRackStore.comfor a whole bunch of custom and standard wine storage options for your home or business.

If you'd like to try a fun and useful project, try building a wine rack . My page on how to build a wine rack has tips, step-by-step plans for free, a how-to video, and everything you need to get starting building a wine rack whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro.

How to store wine after opening

Many people end up with half a bottle of wine and wonder if they can stick it in the fridge until the next time they want to drink it. Well, there is good news and bad news here. The good news is that most wines will last at least a couple of days after being opened.

If you wind up with a half bottle of white wine, put the cork back in it as soon as possible and put it in the fridge. The key here is to keep it cool to slow the breakdown process, and limit the oxygen that contacts the wine. This will allow you to keep most white wines for 3-5 days.

Red wines should not be refrigerated. Just put a cork in the bottle and put it in the cupboard. Doing this should keep it good for a few days.

You will have mixed results when storing wine after opening. Some types of wines will last longer than others. It is best to cork any of them as quickly as possible, and drink them within a few days. There are wine vacuum pumps available as well, which can save your wine for a few more days. You can browse the web for a good selection of these products for storing wine after opening. In general, though, I recommend drinking the rest of the bottle!

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