As a wine collector or someone who enjoys consuming wine, the last thing you would want is to allow a tasty bottle to go to complete waste. Fortunately, there are some easy ways, including tips and tricks, to prolong the life of your favourite wines. It all starts by understanding why wines go bad in the first place. The reason behind this is that it needs a fragile balance of oxygen exposure, which is vital in the fermenting procedure.
After opening, oxygen can make the flavours and aroma of the wine better. However, too much exposure can result in your wine becoming vinegar. Every wine storing and preservation tip will be related to reducing its exposure to oxygen. But, there are some other factors that must be taken into consideration if you consume alcohol regularly. Here is how to properly store wine at home.
1. Store at the Proper Temperature
Undoubtedly, temperature is the most crucial element that has an impact on the wine quality. Extreme warm or cold temperature is the perfect way to spoil it. Typically, the ideal temperature for both long-term and short-term storage of wine is about 55ºF (13ºC). Remember that this can vary from wine to wine. So, it is best to refer to the manufacturer when it comes to the perfect wine storage temperature.
Regardless of the wine type, it would never be ideal to store the bottle below 25 °F (-4ºC) since that can cause it to freeze. Above 68°F (20°C) is also not recommended since that can accelerate the aging procedure. The most important thing to remember is that the wine storage temperature must stay stable at most times. This is because fluctuations can make the cork expand and contract, permitting the drink to seep out or allow the air to seep in. To learn more about local wines, it is always ideal to visit Wine Tours Queensland.
2. Keep the Wine Protected From Vibration and Light
Light can also affect the taste and quality of wine since the sun’s UV rays can cause damage to the aromas and flavours. Similarly, vibration has the ability to disrupt the sediments in the bottle, disturbing the fragile procedure that makes wine age favourably. So, it is important to first store the bottle in a dark place, whether you are keeping it for weeks, months, or just days. Keep them away from the sources of vibration as well. This includes the washer and dryer, stereo system, exercise area, etc.
3. Store Wine in a Wine Fridge
Keeping wine in a standard refrigerator is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. It is always recommended to use a wine refrigerator since it is designed for this purpose. Unlike the standard option, it will keep the wine bottles at 50-60˚F (10-15˚C) while ensuring proper humidity. Storing wine in a wine refrigerator will also play a major in avoiding cross-contamination from bad food odours. Always remember that wine is an investment and there are few better ways to protect it than getting a wine fridge. Just like storing, do not forget to learn about the best way to move your wine collection to further protect your investment.
Wrapping Up
Ensuring proper storage of wine holds supreme importance, and every wine collector should focus on it. Even if you are not a collector but enjoy it every now and then, adequate storage is still vital. Follow the tips from this article to properly store wine at home.