Wine is a natural, organic substance that can change over time. That is why it is so important to store wine correctly, in the proper wine rack, wine cellar, wine cooler, or other storage unit. When storing wine, the elements you must control are the air, temperature, light, vibration, and humidity.

Wine Racks – The Air Factor

It is a well known fact that too much air can spoil wine. Oxidization will cause wine to lose its fresh flavor and age prematurely, creating vinegar instead of wine. That is why wine is stored in airtight glass bottles with impermeable corks. However, all wine has a bit of air in each bottle to complete the aging process. Keeping the cork moist will prevent additional air from entering the bottled environment. Storing wine in a wine rack that keeps the bottles horizontally oriented will make the wine last longer. Therefore, any wine rack you purchase for long term storage should achieve the goal of horizontal orientation.

Wine Racks – The Temperature Factor

The optimum temperature for storing wine is 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10 to 12 degrees Celsius. It is often necessary to use a wine cellar to achieve these temperatures, but a wine rack stored in a cabinet or closet can also be used.

Wine Racks – The Light Factor

Exposure to light can create an unpleasant odor and taste in the wine. Most bottles have good UV filters to prevent light from contaminating the wine, but it is best to take precautions to store valuable wine in an area well away from UV light.

Wine Racks – The Vibration Factor

Moving wine around stirs up sediments in the bottom of the wine and interferes with the aging process. Once you place a bottle in a wine rack, try to avoid moving it again until you are ready to drink it.

Time Matters

Time is an important element in wine storage. If you have a small wine collection and you expect to drink your wine within one year after you purchase it, you need not be overly concerned about your wine storage environment. Casual wine drinkers, as opposed to wine collectors, can usually store their wine in any location that does not include direct heat or sunlight. Dark, cool places like a cabinet, closet, basement, or pantry can be ideal wine storage environments, and these are excellent locations for a wine rack.

After opening a wine bottle, consume all the wine within a few days for optimum taste.

Tags: Wine Rack

Trackback URI | Comments RSS