Storing wine: rules, terms and the best place to store it
The taste of grape drinks depends on many factors, and storage conditions are not the least in this list. For those who are used to drinking wine immediately after purchase or in a week or two, this issue is unlikely to bother them.
But for connoisseurs who prefer to have a supply of good alcohol in the house, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the storage recommendations.
Rules for keeping wines
Of course, it is hardly possible to create an ideal microclimate in an apartment or cottage, as in the best Burgundy and Massandra cellars (unless the owners have their own cellar with the appropriate atmosphere), but it does not hurt to get closer to optimal conditions.
There are a few things to consider:
Temperature conditions
Most owners of compact apartments prefer to keep alcohol in the kitchen, in close proximity to the table. It's convenient, but not the best option for keeping drinks safe. Constantly running appliances and temperature changes have a bad effect on the quality of wines.
If there are no other options, then you should choose the coolest area in the room, away from the oven and heaters (for example, under the window) or purchase a special cabinet with a climate control function.
The optimal temperature for dry wines is 10-12 °C, for dessert wines - 14-16 °C.
Slight fluctuations are acceptable, but it is better to avoid them.
Storing wines in the refrigerator is a bad idea: the temperature in it is much lower than the minimum threshold, even in relatively "warm" shelves on the door.
The balcony is also an unsuitable place: the weather conditions are constantly changing, which can lead to freezing or overheating of the drinks.
Humidity
Acceptable values: 50-70%.
Wine, like humans, is harmed by significant deviations from normal humidity in any direction.
An increase in the parameter will lead to the appearance of mold on the cork, a decrease - to its drying out and the penetration of oxygen into the bottle. Both will cause the drink to spoil.
Store wines in dark rooms
Slight light exposure is acceptable, but direct sunlight and fluorescent lights should be avoided.
The best protection against ultraviolet radiation is provided by dark glass vessels.
White drinks are more exposed to light.
Orientation in space
Bottles should be placed horizontally - in a lying position.
This ensures that the cork is constantly moistened and prevents the penetration of oxygen, which oxidizes the drink.
Additional parameters
Wines do not tolerate vibrations and shocks: they need peace.
This is another reason why it is unacceptable to store bottles in the refrigerator.
But free air circulation is necessary for the wine to "breathe".
Make sure that there are no strongly odorous substances in the immediate vicinity of the drinks.
You should also pay attention to cork. Natural materials or plastic can be used for sealing.
Wines with plastic corks cannot be stored for long. They do not "breathe" and change their taste over time.
Based on these requirements, you can choose a room or area in the house that is best suited for keeping drinks.
Shelf life
Some wines are not intended for long-term aging and are good only at a young age, for example, ordinary products from nutmeg varieties.
Most table wines should be drunk within a year, sometimes within 2-3 years. The exception is aged and collectible drinks, which only get better with age.
Shelf life of ordinary white wines (with rare exceptions): 2-3 years. Some samples of elite drinks, such as Burgundy Chardonnay, can be aged for up to 20 years. But such wines cost a lot of money.
Shelf life of simple red wines: 2-10 years.
French products from dark fruits made in famous wine regions, perfectly tolerate a century of aging. Every 10 years it only gains in price and quality.
Open wine is stored in the refrigerator, but not for long:
Red - up to 5 days.
White and rosé - no more than 3 days.
Sparkling wine of any kind - 24 hours.
Dessert - about 1 week.
Like any food product, wine spoils: after opening the bottle, air gets into the bottle, and the drink begins to oxidize.
A vacuum cork or pouring into a smaller vessel can slightly extend the shelf life of open products.
Where is the best place to store wine
Here are the main ways to keep wines at home in order of deteriorating conditions:
Clean wine cellar/basement with appropriate humidity and temperature.
Climate-controlled cabinet/special refrigerator.
A separate cool room/area in the house with good ventilation, protected from direct light.
Closed horizontal shelves, racks, boxes, etc. д.
Open vertical shelves, racks, boxes, etc. д.
Exclusive offers
For eccentric people, original ways of storing wine have been invented:
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Underwater
An unusual method was invented in Spain: for a couple of hundred euros, everyone will get a bottle of wine "from the bottom of the sea".
Alcohol is under the water column in the Bay of Biscay, at a depth of 20 meters. The temperature there is most suitable: from 11 to 15 °C.
The horizontal position is also respected.
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Cellar for rent
Some wineries are ready to offer their storage space for rent: old cellars - what could be better for collectible items?
However, the cost of such services is kept secret and is available only to the chosen ones.
Remember that wine is practically a living being that "breathes", "ripens" and "ages".
When planning long-term storage of beverages, it is necessary to take care of creating appropriate conditions.
Otherwise, it is better to buy wines just before drinking, which will save you unnecessary hassle and save space.
Update: 14.11.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth