When you buy a wine bottle with no immediate consumption plans, you must also know a thing or two about its storage. Often, people new to wine drinking have little knowledge about the safe storage of wine bottles. It needs the right climate, light, and temperature. Only a small percentage of wines need long-term aging. You can enjoy most wine labels within a few years of release.
A wine bottle is a delicate thing that may lose its taste if treated as just another product. If you are eager to watch your wines mature, you may rope in a professional wine storage firm for wine storage lockers. There are many ways to store your vino thoughtfully before you uncork it. Here are some useful guidelines to keep your wine crate fresh ahead of your in-home celebration.
Chilled Is Best.
Heat and wine are not the best friends. Over 70° F temperature will end up cooking wines and age them more quickly, leading to flat aromas and flavors. 45° F to 65° F is the ideal temperature for wine storage. So, if your wine warmth is running a few degrees above the recommended temperature, it will not harm your taste as long as you open the bottle within a few years of its release.
Darkness Is Important.
Natural light like sunlight is a potential problem for long-term wine storage. UV rays can cause premature aging of wine and degradation. That’s why dark-colored wine bottles help resist the harmful effects of sunlight. Light from domestic bulbs, particularly incandescent bulbs, may fade your wine labels but will not destroy the wine from consumption. Fluorescent bulbs are not a conducive option and can affect the wine.
Maintain Right Humidity.
Humidity is an overlooked feature in wine storage. 50% to 70% is ideal relative humidity for a wine cellar. Humidity levels higher than 70% may cause mold and wine degradation. Less than 50% humidity may cause cork dryness harming the bottled wine and leading to further degradation. Installation of a freestanding humidifier at the wine cellar cooling unit helps distribute even moisture for the best humidity level.
Know Your Wine Resting Position.
Horizontal, vertical, and tilted are three approaches to rest a wine bottle. For long-term wine storage, choose the horizontal position. It will keep the wine cork moist and prevent the wine spoilage from unwanted contact with air pockets. The sediment deposited on the bottle sides will allow the wine to flow clearly. If the wine storage is for shorter periods, depending on random or frequent parties and celebrations, a vertical or upright wine bottle is your go-to position.
It will help in the easy viewing of the bottles. Going for vertical wine storage may compromise on wine quality, so use it when your wine usage is frequent. A slight upward angle or a tilted position also helps keep the cork damp. Refrain from keeping it too upward to prevent the cork from drying. Periodically change the wine bottle position when opting for a titled position to help it bring the right moisture levels to the cork.
Pour Wine, Not Shake.
Shaking a bottle of wine can affect its appearance and taste. Subsequent vibrations can spread sedimentation, causing bottle shock in new wines and bottles of 10 years or older. If you shake wine unintentionally, work on “decanting” to help separate sediment from the wine. To succeed in it, clean the wine bottle neck after popping the cork. Then find out the sediment position around its neck when you pour the wine.
As soon as the sediment reaches the neck, stop the pour and dispose of the left-overs in the wine bottle. Now pour the decanted wine into glasses and serve. Avoid shaking your wines to restore the originality and flavor of your wines.
Where To Stock Wine
Hot temperatures in the kitchen and other such places can affect your wines. Look for a suitable dark and stable place that is neither too humid nor dry. In unduly warm temperatures, get a stand-up cooling unit to store your expensive wine bottles. It is worth the investment and will help you make the most of professional wine storage.
The Takeaway
Natural light and UV rays are worse for your wine. LED lighting is the best source as it creates a soft glow without emitting excess heat. Buy a small wine fridge and set it around 55 degrees to continue serving guests more frequently. It will help keep your wines in a cool place and help your invitees savor the labels to satisfaction. Bottle the leftover wine in a small bottle or container to create less room for air and oxidation. If you have some wine left and want to drink it later, put in a wine shield in the partly drunk bottle.
