How to Store Wine at Home

Imagine opening your favourite wine bottle only to find that its natural aroma and flavour are ruined by improper storage. Sounds heartbreaking, right?

Improper storage can affect the quality, flavour, and taste of your wine. And the last thing you’d want to do is throw your wine away. 

This is why it’s important to understand how to store wine at home properly so it can actually age like a fine wine! 

Let us help you preserve your wine at home with the right approach below.

 

7 Important Tips to Store Wine At Home

Storing wine at home is not a difficult task when done properly. Whether you’re looking to store wine for a short or longer duration, our curated guide below can assist you in preserving its natural taste!

 

1. Storing Wine At The Right Temperature 

One of the prominent factors for good wine storage is the right temperature. The ideal wine storage temperature is 55ºF (13ºC). This goes for short and long-term storage. Extreme cold temperatures can lead to freezing, and wine kept above 68°F (20°C) can increase the aging process.

However, it’s vital to understand that the exact ideal temperature varies depending on the type and label of wine. 

2. Avoid Temperature Fluctuations

While you’re getting the temperature right, temperature stability is equally crucial.

Temperature fluctuation when storing wine is a big no! Keeping your wine unstable or exposing it to multiple temperatures will lead to the wine crock contracting and expanding. This allows air to go in, spoiling your wine. So, keep the storage temperature as stable as possible.

3. Store Wine in The Dark and Away From UV Rays

Although wines are known to be boujee, they don’t like to be in the spotlight!

Direct sunlight and UV rays can negatively affect the wine, causing it to lose its aroma and flavor. Additionally, sunlight may age your fines faster than it naturally does. 

However, LED lights are safe for wine storage as they don’t emit UV rays and comparatively release less heat.

Irrespective of that, aim to store your wine in a dark place. 

 

4. Keep Away From Vibrations

Surprisingly, vibrations can drastically affect your wine. Sources of vibration such as dryers or washers, can speed up chemical reactions, leading to your wine taste dull with time. 

Therefore, try to find a silent spot to store your collection.

5. Keep Bottles Horizontally 

Dried-up wine bottle cork results in premature aging of the wine. Therefore, keep your bottle horizontally in your wine rack. This eventually helps in keeping the cork moist, resulting in a proper wine aging process.

 

6. Maintain Proper Humidity 

Humidity plays a key role in storing your wine. Your wine should typically be stored in 60-70% humidity levels. 

Extreme humid conditions may leave room for molds to grow, causing wine labels to get destroyed. 

On the other hand, low humidity levels can increase the chances of oxygen exposure due to the cork drying out. If you live in a humid place, learn with our guide about how to store wine in hot climates to ensure it ages properly!

 

7. Do Not Keep Wine in Normal Fridge 

While a regular refrigerator may seem like an easy way to store your wine, it may not be the best choice. 

Do you know wine stored in the refrigerator can lead to cross-contamination from the food smell? In addition, a normal refrigerator keeps your food dry and extremely cold, which can affect your wine. 

Therefore, you need to opt for a wine fridge that maintains the right temperature consistently to store your wine, is dark, and provides a vibration-free atmosphere!Interesting read: How Long Does Wine Last in the Fridge.

How to Store Open Wine Bottles at Home?

The wine shelf life countdown starts as soon as you open that bottle. However, if stored properly, your wine can typically last 3-5 days before it loses its fresh flavour. To ensure you preserve it’s aroma and flavour of the open bottle, you can take the following measures:

• Recork the bottle right away and tightly. 
• If the cork is thrown, you can use a wine stopper made of rubber helping you create a tight seal. 
• Refrigerate the unfinished bottle to slow down the oxidation process and ensure it is sealed tightly.
• Do not freeze your wine. When storing your bottle in the refrigerator, keep your temperature stable and moderate.  

 

Create a Wine Experience of a Lifetime With Belle!

Whether you’re trying wine for the first time and having the experience of a lifetime, or you’re a wine lover looking to try something beyond the usual, we’ve got something for you! 

When visiting Bali, make sure to pay us a visit! At Belle, we ensure you experience the best wine experience with our expert-curated selection of wines with perfect food pairing options! We are a charming Bali Wine Bar specialising in grazing boards and great wine from around the world.