If you are a big wine connoisseur or just saving a few bottles to crack open on special occasions, it’s impo tant to understand how best to store them until you’re ready to partake.

Tips for Storing Wine at Home.

Temperature

Temperature is the primary factor that ensures your wine will be ready to drink when you are. Red wine should be st  ored at a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, while white wine should be stored at 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Sparkling wines and champagnes can be stored at 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

When wine is stored at room temperature the quality of the wine can be negatively affected. Warmth isn't great for wine, as it causes the compounds in wine to breakdown. The same thing happens when exposing your wine to light for extended periods of time, it also causes it to deteriorate faster.

When storing wines at home, keep them away from heat sources such as direct sunlight or appliances that produce heat like televisions and computers.

Wine experts recommend using wine cellars because these units help maintain the right temperatures and control humidity levels, and they help you look after a great quantity of wine than smaller options. They also provide extra protection from light compared with traditional cupboards.

If you don’t have a dedicated wine cellar, you could convert a room in your basement into one. Or use an unheated room in your a basement. Just make sure that the room doesn’t get too hot or too cold. Freezing causes expansion which can crack the glass or pop the cork.

Moisture

The next thing to be aware of is moisture. If you are planning on storing your wine for a few  years, you don’t want the bottles to be exposed to too much humidity. This can lead to the cork becoming wet and eventually rot.

Ideally, the humidity level in your wine storage room should be around 70%. You can measure this by using a hygrometer. If your wine storage area is too humid, you put the corks at risk of mildew and spoilage.

Light

Wine also needs to be protected from light. Ultraviolet rays can cause wine to age prematurely and impact the flavour. This happens so often there is a term for it, which is light-struck. Because of this, it’s best to store your wine in a dark place, like a closet or cellar.

Positioning

For longer storage make sure to  store your wine on its side. This keep the cork moist and prevents it from drying out and shrinking. If you’re only storing wine for a short period of time, you can store it upright, but as stated before make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight.

Timing

When you buy food it tends to come with the best before date. Wines often have a time frame in which they will taste best. If you’re not sure when to drink your wine, read the label or ask your local sommelier!

If you opened a bottle of red and only had half a glass you can save it for up to four days by pouring the leftover into an airtight container, sealing it tightly, then storing in a cool dark place.

What type of storage is typically best?

There are a few types of cabinets on the market, but most people find that a wine refrigerator is their best option. It can help to control humidity and temperature, while blocking the bottles from sunlight and other sources of light, thus helping to avoid common problems such as cork taint and premature oxidation.