All About Wine Storage

Wine is a fragile, changeable substance. If planning to keep a wine longer than a couple days it must be properly stored. This doesn’t need to be an expensive, arduous endeavor but it does require some thought.

The greatest enemies of wine are heat and light. This is why many wine bottles are made of dark glass so as to minimize U.V. exposure. Light acts upon the chemical structure of the wine breaking it down and reducing the sum of its parts. Heavier red wines are less susceptible to heat and have been known to turn out alright when exposed to high temperature. That said, it’s best not to tempt fate.

When devising an effective way to store there are two options. Passive storage means placing a wine in a place where it will sit undisturbed and hopefully age gracefully. Active storage involves building a system that can regulate the environment around the stored wine.

For those lucky enough to possess a deep cellar passive storage can be an effective solution. Many cellars remain relatively stable throughout the seasons. Temperature change is okay as long the change occurs gradually. A cellar might average 40 degrees in the winter and as the weather warms up it may get as hot as 70 degrees. This is safe because the change happens on a broad curve. When using a passive cellar place the wine away from heat and vibration producing appliances like furnaces or laundry machines. The less light and general vibration the better. Another important factor is the humidity. If the air is too dry the corks may dry out which lessens their ability to let air permeate through the membranes thus retarding the natural aging process. The greatest passive cellars in the world are reputed to be in Scottish castles which thanks to the temperate climate have the ability to preserve wine nearly perfectly for extended periods.

Active cellars have climate control systems which regulate temperature and humidity. These systems are always expensive though the cost can be reduced if one installs the equipment themselves. For many climates these are the only serious option for storage. In places where cellars cannot be built wine enthusiasts have few other choices if they desire a home cellar. Active storage has the advantage of being able to completely control the environment though if the power fails you are out of luck. Many wine collectors have backup generators installed in the event of this happening.

For those lacking a cellar and unwilling to install an active storage system there are companies who rent out space in large climate controlled spaces. Prices vary for rent and one should shop around for the best rate. Many city dwellers make use of this service. An advantage of having wine stored in commercial wine storage is that you’re less likely to open a bottle on impulse before it’s ready to drink. Though some might consider that a disadvantage as well.

For those unwilling to employ any of the above options here are some places wine should never be stored. Never keep bottles on top of the refrigerator. The vibration and the heat will kill a wine in no time. The same goes for near the stove. Basically the kitchen is a bad place to store wine. A dark, quiet closet is probably the best place for casual storage. If the climate is reasonably temperate a bottle can last several years.

Good wine storage is worth it as anyone who has tried a well stored wine will tell you. There is something magical and utterly satisfying about opening a bottle you’ve stored yourself and finding the wine has blossomed into a beautiful expression of the land and the grape. Even simple wines can benefit from a few years of sleep. All the waiting and the anticipation will be wasted however if the wine is not stored well.

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