Top 3 Tips For Storing Wine

It’s a fun day when your to-do list includes a trip to the wine store! It’s your chance to pick up a few bottles of your favorites and maybe to try some new ones. You are confident in your flavour choices, but are you equally confident in your knowledge of how best to be storing wine? Does your knowledge include the best temperatures and conditions under which to store your well-chosen wine?

Our Top 3 Tips For Storing Wine

With & Without a Wine Cellar

3. Store Wine

When storing wine, the best thing you can do is keep it in the dark, away from sunlight and UV rays. Darker bottles are best for keeping light out, but some could still get in. If cupboard space allows, you can keep your wines behind closed doors. Failing that, you can store your wine in a box or even wrapped in a tea towel.

2. Set it down and let it rest.

Always store wine with corks on their sides to keep the cork moist. Don’t move the wine once stored until you are ready to drink it. If you are fortunate enough to have a wine cellar, this is perfect, as you can also regulate the temperature while allowing the wine to not be disturbed.

1. Be consistent

The most important step to store wine is to keep the temperature constant. A wine fridge or wine cellar is helpful here. If you will be storing the wine for more than a year, it must be refrigerated. A temperature of 54F (12.2C) is ideal. Never let the temperature go over 75F (24C), as the wine could oxidize. Also, keep the humidity at 70% or less, so the cork won`t dry out. This step will also keep mold at bay.

If you don’t have a wine cellar, white wines can be stored in the fridge after opening and will last 2-5 days. Red wines can be kept in a cool, dark place. As long as you can put the cork back in to store wine, they will also last up to 5 days. Most inexpensive wines should be enjoyed during a period of between 2 and 3 years. Some red wines can last 10 years or longer. More expensive bottles can be stored even longer and will improve with age.