How Proper Wine Storage Can Enhance The Flavor Aging Process

Wine storage is a very important responsibility related to wine collecting and the art of enjoying wine. Contrary to what many might think, wines are perishable and can easily develop “off” flavors if not outright spoil if it left to sit in the wrong environment for long periods of time. Fortunately, there are only a few factors that wine collectors have to account for when storing their wines. These conditions include, temperature, light, and humidity. While specific conditions may vary by different types and varieties of wines, most wine are generally best stored in cool, dark locations with a little bit of humidity.

To best preserve the wines and enhance the aging process of wines, they are generally best stored at temperatures between 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. While most wines will be fine at temperatures outside this range for short periods, most wine experts will not recommend letting them sit outside the optimal temperatures for too long especially for more expensive wines. Humidity is another factor to consider because it is important to keep the cork that slightly moist. Most racks store wines sideways or at a slight downward angle so that the wine will stay in contact with the inner end of the cork and keep it moist. In addition to maintain the right temperatures and humidity levels, it is also crucial to not let wines be exposed to sunlight or other UV light for periods longer than a few weeks. UV light exposure can cause adverse reactions inside the wine which often leads to developing unpleasant flavors known as wine faults.

Since building a dedicated temperature controlled wine cellar or wine room to store a wine collection is outside of most enthusiast’s budget levels, using a spare closet or kitchen pantry are often viable alternatives. Alternately, enthusiasts can buy wine coolers that might resemble a small refrigerator to keep their wines at the optimal conditions for the fraction of the cost of a wine room.