Best Wine Storage Facts

The best way to store wines is by placing them in an underground wine cellar or inside caves. Why? Because both places possess the necessary ambient condition (dark, still, cool and humid) by which is allowed to age optimally and restore its good quality.

However, not all of us live in a house with an underground cellar nor do caves are present in urban areas. In such cases, all you need to do is consider the ideal storage setting for wines so you can provide the best possible place to retain its good taste.

The type of wines you prefer will also determine its best storage means. All wines basically are affected by exposure to heat and sunlight. Sparkling wines. If you are serving sparkling wines within a few days or so, just keep it outside while still with a cork. If they are to be served within a week, better place the bottles of sparkling wines inside refrigerators.

White Wines. They are most sensitive when subjected to heat and sunlight and therefore must be stored in a cool and closed cabinet or in refrigerators. When serving wines, keep in mind that too much amount of cool temperature will dull the wine's flavor, for white wines, the ideal serving temperature is at least 45F.

Red Wines. They too are affected by excessive amount of heat and light so it must be stored in closed and cool cabinets or in refrigerators. However, before serving, make sure to warm the wine to room temperature as serving it chilled will only decrease the wine's full flavor.

Wine-racks are also good for storing these bottles but a few points have to be considered.

Remember the concept of thermodynamics about rising of heat. Sparkling wines, which require the lowest temperature, must be at the lowest shelf. Atop the sparkling wines layers should be the whites and at the top shelf should be the reds.

When placing wines in a wine rack, the bottles should be in sideways position. This is to allow the cork from being moist all the time so it will not shrink. Shrunken corks account for seeping of oxygen inside the bottle causing wine oxidation that degrades the flavor, color and aroma.

You may also buy a wine refrigerator as your storage means. This specific fridge for the wine averts the occurrence of molding even when stored inside for a long time. In addition, the fridge also has a constant temperature setting that is ideal for storing wines.

Avoid, however to place the bottles of wines in regular refrigerators with racks built in the fridge's door. Keep in mind that stillness is one factor that is essential in making its retains its good quality. The racks inside of the fridge may look nice but the vibration caused by frequent opening and closing of the door will have an impact on your wines.

If you are planning to store the wines in a cabinet, make sure that the cabinet has an adequate air circulation system to prevent mold formation. Do not also place wines near food items that are likely to ferment as they can also induce moldy flavors inside the bottle.