You bought a beautiful bottle of wine. Maybe a gift, maybe a bargain, maybe a souvenir from holiday. But you are not drinking it tonight. Where do you put it? The kitchen? The garage? On top of the fridge?
Most wine is drunk within a few months, and then storage hardly matters. But if you want to keep wine for longer than a month -- or if you want to build a collection -- temperature, light, position and humidity make the difference between a delicious bottle and a disappointment.
Wine is a living product that slowly changes over time. That change can be positive (aging) or negative (spoilage). The difference depends on five factors:
This is the most important factor. The ideal storage temperature for wine is 12 to 16 degrees Celsius (54-61F). But even more important than the exact number is stability. A constant temperature of 18 degrees is better than a temperature that fluctuates between 10 and 25 degrees.
Direct sunlight is the second biggest enemy of wine. UV rays break down the chemical compounds in wine and cause a defect called "light strike": the wine smells and tastes of wet cardboard or cooked vegetables.
This is why many wines come in dark bottles -- but that is not enough protection for prolonged exposure. Always store wine in the dark. A cupboard, a basement, or a box -- anything is better than a wine rack on the windowsill.
Wine with a cork should be stored on its side. The reason: if the cork dries out, it shrinks and lets air in. Air oxidizes the wine and turns it vinegary. By storing the bottle horizontally, the cork stays moist and maintains its seal.
Wine with a screw cap can stand or lie down -- it does not matter. The screw cap seals hermetically regardless of position.
The ideal humidity for wine storage is 50 to 70 percent. Too dry and the cork dries out (even when the bottle is on its side). Too humid and you get mold on the labels -- not harmful to the wine, but unsightly.
In most homes the humidity is fine. Only in extremely dry spaces (underfloor heating, air conditioning) can it become a problem.
Vibrations disrupt the aging process of wine. The sediment in older wines gets shaken up, and the chemical reactions that make wine more complex are disturbed. Do not store wine next to the washing machine, on top of the fridge, or next to a speaker.
Now that you know the enemies, it is easy to identify the worst spots:
The best spots at home for wine:
If you have a basement: congratulations. A basement naturally offers a stable temperature (12-16 degrees), darkness, good humidity and minimal vibrations. It is the ideal wine storage location. Just make sure there is no boiler or tumble dryer nearby.
No basement? A cupboard in an unheated or lightly heated room is the next best option. The hallway, utility room, or a bedroom that does not get too warm. Place the bottles on their side in a box or on a simple wine rack.
The best investment for wine lovers without a basement. A wine fridge maintains a constant temperature, protects against light and vibrations, and often has separate zones for red and white. Prices start at around one hundred euros for a small model (six to twelve bottles).
Not all wine is meant to be stored. In fact: the majority of wine is meant to be drunk within one to three years. Only specific wines improve with age.
An opened bottle of wine deteriorates quickly due to oxidation. But with the right approach you can still enjoy it for a few more days:
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Try SommelierX FreeThe ideal storage temperature is 12 to 16 degrees Celsius (54-61F). Stability is more important than the exact number -- a constant 18 degrees is better than fluctuations between 10 and 25 degrees. Above 25 degrees wine can be damaged.
Only if the bottle has a cork. Storing on the side keeps the cork moist so it does not dry out and let air in. Bottles with screw caps can stand or lie down -- it makes no difference.
A regular fridge is fine for short-term storage (a few weeks). For long-term storage it is too cold (4-7 degrees), too dry, and there are too many vibrations. Invest in a wine fridge if you want to store wine for longer than a month.
No. The vast majority of wine is meant to be drunk within one to three years. Only specific wines -- premium Bordeaux, Barolo, Grand Cru Burgundy, Vintage Port -- improve with extended aging. When in doubt: drink it, do not store it.
Want to learn more about serving wine? Read our guide on the right serving temperature per wine type or check out our wine gift tips.