Friday 23 September 2016

Wine Storage Do's and Don'ts

Do store bottles on their side. Storing them on their side keeps the cork in contact with the liquid and thus keeps the cork moist. A dry cork can create an imperfect seal with the neck and opening of the bottle and potentially let air in. This can cause oxidization and cause premature aging.

Do place the bottle in a cool place. High temperatures are very damaging. High temperatures will speed up chemical reactions and dramatically shorten a wine's life.

Do store in a dark place, especially if the bottle is clear. Dark bottles are better than clear or green bottles at protecting liquids from light, but regardless, dark areas are best.

Don't use your kitchen refrigerator as a storage or aging device. A kitchen refrigerator is too cold and can dry out the cork allowing air into the bottle. Further, a kitchen refrigerator is constantly opened and closed making it harder to maintain a constant temperature. Lastly, when the bottle is put in a kitchen refrigerator, it is usually stored standing up and thus does not keep the cork moist.

Don't store bottles in a cabinet above an oven or microwave or in the kitchen. Heat from ovens, stoves and microwaves can shorten wine's aging potential and or destroy its taste and balance.

Don't store near windows, fireplaces or other appliances or areas that give off heat or are heat sources.

Wine coolers and wine refrigerators are excellent storage devices. A wine cooler can maintain a constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit temperature (which is the ideal long term storage temperature) and provide a cool and dark environment. Lay bottles flat in a wine fridge or wine refrigerator and let the wine cooler do the rest.

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