Most ready-to-drink wines do not need to be stored for very long because they are usually for quick consumption. Even ready-to-drink wines can be stored up to 12 months without loss of quality. There are a few minimum steps that can be taken to keep wine fresh for quite a while. First, it is important to keep wine out of direct sunlight. Second, wine storage is ideal between 40-65°F.

The temperature where the wine is stored shouldn’t changed 5°F annually, and finally, the humidity should be above 50%. These are the bare minimum steps needed to keep wine fresh and not spoiling. On the other hand, for more serious wine-enthusiast and wine-collectors, wine storage requires a lot more attention. The task of wine storage for a serious wine-enthusiast and collector is much more time consuming. Serious wine collectors have to look at temperature-average, temperature-stability, humidity, ventilation, darkness, and security.

There are many rules such as ideal temperatures are about 55-57°F. The temperature must not fluctuate too much, about a 5°F fluctuation is acceptable. The relative humidity should be from 50-80%, and wine should also be kept in an odor-free place. Another important factor is that light should be kept away from wine. Security is also a big issue; what is the point of spending so much time keeping your wine fresh if someone could steal it from you with ease.

Security should be consulted with a wine-expert, and wine-collectors should always be careful with wine-security. If these wine storage steps aren’t followed, wine can become spoiled and distasteful. Wine storage is important for wine to stay fresh and good-tasting, and wine storage should never be compromised if you want to keep your wine fresh and without spoiling it. Changing or compromising steps can cause damage to the wine and even possibly you. Wine storage can be a great thing or even a horrible thing.

Storing wine properly is also important because, just like food, it is perishable, and so especially if you have very expensive bottles of wine, you are going to want to take good care of them and make them last.

The Basics

When it comes to wine storage, one of the first and most important things that everyone should know is that wine needs to be stored in a dark, damp place. Optimum conditions for storing wine include stable temperatures around 55°F, with a humidity of about 80%.

Wherever you are actually storing your wine, preferably in a cellar or wine refrigerator, you need to make sure that the temperature is kept cool and steady, because cool temperatures slow the aging process of wine. Likewise, if you keep your wine in higher temperatures, the aging process will speed up.

If you do not have a cellar or special refrigerator, then you can always store your wine in the basement of your home. Just make sure that it is constantly dark, and that there is little to no vibration. If you do not have a basement either, then you can store your wine in any air conditioned part of your home, such as a closet.

Keep it on its Side

One of the most important aspects to wine storage involves keeping the wine bottles on their side. This is because oxygen is wine’s worst enemy, and the cork on the wine is the only thing keeping the oxygen from getting to the wine and spoiling it.

In order for the cork to maintain its shape and tightness, it needs moisture, and by keeping the bottles of wine on their side, the cork will constantly be kept moist by the wine in the bottle. For extreme periods of time, a humidity controlled environment will also be needed in order to keep the cork from drying out and shrinking.

Proper wine storage is critical, regardless of how many bottles of wine you have or how expensive they are. Wine storage is an important issue that you should take seriously, and will help enhance the overall experience of any bottle of wine.