Curating your own wine collection can be a truly rewarding hobby. Learning about the different kinds of wine and discovering which types of wine are your favourites can be quite the journey. There is a lot of information to absorb, and of course, endless bottles of delicious wine to taste! However, learning how to store your wine correctly is imperative. Even the best wines need proper storage, so if you intend to build a wine collection at home, the sooner you learn how to preserve it in the right way, the better.
Storing wine at home - our top tips!
Get the temperature right
Storing wine at the right temperature is imperative to its success. This is by far the biggest factor that will influence how well a bottle of wine keeps. Too hot or too cold could see your wine spoil. If you are only planning to store your wine for a short time, the ideal temperature for most bottles will be around 13 degrees.
However, this can differ depending on the wine and if you are investing in a particularly fancy grape, it might be wise to check the particular guidance from the merchant. Wine should never be stored at temperatures lower than -4 degrees as this will cause them to freeze. Ensure you keep your wine cool in warmer weather too as above 20 degrees will also cause it to age badly.
It’s also important to note that keeping the temperature of your wine as steady and consistent as possible will also help it to remain at its best. Big fluctuations in temperature can affect the cork and cause it to expand or contract thus letting air into the bottle.
Store in the correct position
Wine should be stored horizontally (on it’s side). The reason for this is that doing so will keep the cork moist, which is important if you want to preserve your wine for a long time. A cork that dries out can cause the cork to age prematurely and can also mean it crumbles when you try to open the bottle. Storing wine horizontally in a wine rack also maximises storage space and looks rather stylish too!
Protect your wine from the elements and movement
Don’t store your wine in direct sunlight as the light can not only heat up the bottles but the UV rays from the sunshine can damage the flavour and aroma of the contents too. Too much movement and vibration can also result in the sediment being disturbed which can interfere with the ageing process of the wine.
Get the humidity spot on
Humidity is another factor that can affect how well a bottle of wine ages. Too low and the corks can dry out, meaning the wine could become vulnerable to the disruptive effects of oxygen as it seeps into the bottle. Too high and wine labels can become damaged, turning them illegible or peeling off which can make it difficult to keep track of your wine, or to sell it on in the future.
Invest in a wine fridge
For your whites, rose’s and champagnes, investing in a good wine fridge can make all the difference. A wine fridge will keep the bottles cool, dark and moist - exactly as they should be. You can adjust the temperature according to the bottles in the fridge and this will also help to avoid any cross-contamination from other food products.
Serve at the correct temperature
The age of your wine and its make will determine what temperature you should serve it at. If you want to be a real wine connoisseur and ensure you enjoy the flavours of the wine just as they are meant to be, learning the correct temperature to serve your wine in can make all the difference. As a rule, red wine should be served slightly below room temperature, though those with stronger tennis can be served a little warmer. White wines should be served chilled but not so cold that the aroma becomes indistinguishable. Champagne should be served the coldest of all.
Store open bottles correctly
If you don’t finish your bottle, you’ll want to store it correctly so you can enjoy the rest of it another time. An open bottle should be fine to drink for around 3-5 days later. Re-cork wine as soon as you are done with it - you can do this by placing wax paper around the cork to help ease it back in. A rubber stopper can also be a good option if the original cork has become damaged, or accidentally discarded.
Discover all your wine storage solutions at Rinkit
So now you know how to store wine correctly, why not browse the wine racks, coolers, and glasses from Rinkit’s extensive ranges? We can help you build your collection, preserve your wine correctly and serve it in style!