Wine Storage 101
If you were to ask a member of our team the #1 wine mistake we see when out and about, the answer would be unanimous: incorrect wine storage. We’re not just talking about homes, either. Many bars and restaurants store wine improperly. Wine storage is actually easy to get right (even without a wine cellar)and we’ll have you doing it for both your opened and unopened bottles like a pro by the time you reach the end of this article.
Storing Unopened Bottles
These days we’re getting most of our wine by mail. Whether you’re going out to get it or having it delivered, make sure you store that wine correctly until you drink it. Even if you’re having it soon after buying, storing your unopened wine properly is a great habit to get into.
There are three things to consider when storing your wine: position, light, and temperature:
Store all wine on its side in a
dark place that’s
consistently between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s that simple! Storing bottles on their side keeps the cork properly moistened. Dry corks get brittle and shrink, allowing too much oxygen into the wine. The cork is made to allow the right amount of oxygen in, if the cork remains moist.
Light “cooks” or “madierizes” wine. This gives the wine a flavor of stewed fruits when it shouldn’t have them (some wine is intentionally made in this style). Keep wine away from sun and artificial light.
Storing reds on the kitchen counter doesn’t cut it: the reason these bottles are dark is to keep light out but the colored glass doesn’t offer full protection. Even keeping your reds in the cupboard on their side is better than counter-top storage. Just make sure they’re not too close to the stove or other appliances.
You don’t need a fancy wine fridge but you do need a place that is consistently cool. Putting wine in your basement is great but keep it away from appliances. Garages can also be great places away from things like generators. couch + cork world headquarters doesn’t have a basement or garage but we have a front closet that stays cool and dark so most of our wine is there. The really good stuff stays in a small counter-top wine fridge.
Wine Storage: Opened Bottles
There are a few common mistakes people make with opened wine bottles. They’re very similar to mistakes made when it comes to storage of unopened bottles. Namely, keeping opened bottles on the counter. Storage for open bottles is identical for unopened: cool, dark and on the side.
That said, people often put the same cork in the bottle. While this works in the short term, these corks will often leak because they’ve been punctured by an opener. Instead, use a wine bottle stopper meant for sideways storage. The Vacu Vin wine storage system is one of the best options for when you don’t finish a bottle and can be purchased for under $12.
There are many expensive options for sealing unfinished wines for both commercial and residential settings but these aren’t necessary.
Store your sealed or stopped bottles back in a cold, dark place for no more than 3-5 days and enjoy!
