Proper Storing Is Very Important For Your Red Wine

Storing wine properly is important to maintain the quality of your red wine. One key factor is the wine storage temperature. Another factor is how the bottles are placed and where for storage.

Find answers to these and a few other key tips to help maintain the quality of the wine for both short term and longer term storage.

The best red wine storage temperature is somewhere around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Those stored at a warmer temperature age faster, which does allow the wine the time it needs to bring out its complexity. Storing wine at a cooler temperature slows down the ageing process so wines need a longer storage period before they are ready.

Red wine is damaged in temperatures at or over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The biggest threat at this temperature is storing your wine in the car while wine tasting or after picking it up at the store. Be careful and do not store it in the car for too long before you get it home.

It is also damages the wine when it is moved quickly between extreme temperatures. When storing wine, do not move it from a hot place to a cool place too quickly such as from your hot car directly to the cool basement cellar. Give the wine a little time in between to cool down slowly, so the temperature change does not damage the wine.

It is best to store your red wine in a cool, dark cellar. Set the humidity level between 65 and 75%, if that is an option. This gives the wine the perfect environment in which to age well. If you have the room and extra money, another popular option is to store it in a wine fridge that regulates the temperature between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Both keep the temperature consistent and allow the wine to age properly.

Make sure your red wine storage is in a location where it does not move around a lot. If you store it in a cellar, ensure that the wine rack or other storage unit is solid and does not shake the wine too much. Make sure the rack or storage unit is also level or on stable ground. If the rack is stable, but it is on an uneven surface or unstable ground, that could also affect the aging process of your wine. Constant movement of the wine in storage damages it.

Lay all wine on its side for storage. This is to ensure that the cork does not dry out.
Experts also notice a difference in the aging process between wine stored upright and those stored on their side, as storing it on the side improves the aging process. Double-check your storage to ensure that it is not only lying on its side, but that the wine is keeping the cork from drying out.

Store it in a location where it does not get direct sunlight. Pull the shades or close the door if sunlight is hitting the wine directly. Storing red wine in the sun increases the temperature and the flavor of the wine changes.

Some red wines tend to get even better with age and can be stored for a few months up to a few years. I also expanded on this point a little to explain the length of time needed for storing wine.