Part of the pleasures of enjoying and learning about wine is curating a collection that showcases your personal preference. However, selecting and purchasing wines are only one part of the process. You also need to store them properly.
It will not be a problem if you have a wine cellar. On the flip side, if you don’t have one, doing so might be a little tricky, especially if you lack the knowledge about properly storing wines at home.
Wine can last for decades, even centuries when preserved correctly. That of which contributes to growing their quality and value. But if you don’t know how to store your carefully-curated wine collection correctly, you might spoil them. Even the most expensive and limited-edition wines are no exception.
In order to preserve the condition of your wine collection, here are the things you need to do.
Wine’s greatest adversary is temperature fluctuations. Storing wines at the right temperature will help keep them to slumber for ages and retain their quality until you’re ready to consume them.
But it can be a different scenario if you left your wines in a too cold or too hot a room for extended periods of time. And worse, if you leave them at the mercy of fluctuating temperatures, your expected glass of delicious Sauvignon, italian brunello wine , or whatever wine you fancy might never manifest.
When the temperature warms up, it can disrupt the quality of your prized collection, making your wines “cooked.” Storage with warmer temperatures will also quicken the aging process of these liquors. Hence, it’s ideal to keep your storage space moderately cool. It shouldn’t be too cold as the wines will become more complex if you prefer to age it. Also, it won’t go off, particularly if you’re planning to consume it for a later date.
It’s recommended to set your wine nook to 50 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to indulge in a glass of rosé or white with say, a salad, just store it in the fridge for at least twenty minutes before serving.
For wine bottles with corks, the rule of thumb is to store them in a wine rack horizontally. Doing so will help keep the cork’s moisture, which is vital for long-term storage. A dried-out cork can cause premature aging and seepage.
Although it’s not obligatory to store screw-top wine bottles on their sides, storing them horizontally is an efficient way to easily access them and maximize the space.
As we speak about preventing corks from drying out, we can’t stress enough the importance of a humid environment. If the air in your wine cellar, cupboards, fridge, closet, etc. doesn’t have sufficient moisture, corks may dry out, and wines will oxidize.
Now, if you worry about moisture levels, you can pop a humidifier in the room or place a bowl of water in the cupboard with your wine. You just need to refill it from time to time.
Another important rule to remember when storing wines is to keep them away from sunlight.
While a healthy dose of sunshine is vital for grapes while they’re on the vine, a UV light, such as those found in the sun’s rays can cause faults to bottled wines. It can lead to fading labels and premature aging. For these reasons, keep your wine in the dark and save the sunlight for picnics.
If you don’t have a temperature-controlled storage space or wine cooler where you can stow your wine, a cool cupboard, not the ones you can find in the kitchen, is an excellent alternative. If your basement is free of mold and dampness, it can also function as a makeshift cellar for your wines.
Hot garages, attics, the cabinet on top of a washing machine, the top of your fridge are all off-limits. As a matter of fact, it’s best not to keep your wine in the kitchen, not unless you have a wine fridge. If that’s the case, make sure to keep it away from the dishwasher.
Moreover, it’s important to store wines on their sides. It will keep the liquid contents from having contact with the cork, which in return prevents it from drying out and allowing too much air to enter that can cause oxidation.
You might enjoy sloshing your favorite wine around the glass while you’re at a wine tasting event, but it’s not the case when it’s in the bottle. Plenty of things can go amiss and convert this delicious liquor into vinegar. Of course, you don’t want that to happen.
If you want to make the most out of your wine but not planning on drinking it right away, then do yourself a favor: store it the proper way. Take your cue from the given tips above.
Kishan rana is a writer and seo executive at https://www.enviarflor.com.br