How to Properly Store and Preserve Wine Before and After Opening
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or an occasional sipper, knowing how to store and preserve wine before and after opening is essential to ensure the best possible taste and aroma. Proper wine storage and handling can make a significant difference in your wine-drinking experience. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps and tips to help you keep your wine in optimal condition, from the moment it enters your home to the last drop in your glass.
1. Temperature Matters
Before Opening: Store wine bottles on their sides in a cool, dark place at a consistent temperature of around 55°F (13°C). Avoid temperature fluctuations, as they can cause wine to age prematurely and spoil.
After Opening: If you can’t finish the bottle in one sitting, recork it tightly and store it in the refrigerator at a temperature of about 55-65°F (13-18°C) for red wine or 45-50°F (7-10°C) for white wine. Consume within a few days for the best quality.
2. Humidity Control
Before Opening: Maintain humidity levels around 70% to prevent corks from drying out and allowing air to seep into the bottle.
After Opening: Humidity control is less critical after opening, but it’s still a good practice to keep the cork moist to maintain the seal.
3. Avoid Vibrations
Before Opening: Keep wine bottles away from appliances that produce vibrations, such as refrigerators and washing machines, as vibrations can disturb the sediment in wine.
After Opening: Handle the open bottle gently to avoid disturbing any sediment that may have settled.
4. Shield from Light
Before Opening: Store wine in a dark place or use UV-resistant wine racks or covers to protect it from light, which can cause wine to age prematurely.
After Opening: Use wine stoppers or wine preservation systems that minimize the wine’s exposure to light.
5. Maintain Proper Position
Before Opening: Store wine bottles horizontally to keep the cork moist and create a tight seal.
After Opening: Store open bottles upright to minimize the surface area exposed to oxygen.
6. Control Odors
Before Opening: Avoid storing wine near strong-smelling substances as wine can absorb odors.
After Opening: Seal the bottle with an airtight stopper to prevent wine from absorbing fridge odors.
7. Preserve with Wine Accessories
Before Opening: Consider investing in wine coolers, cellars, or wine fridges with precise temperature and humidity controls.
After Opening: Use vacuum pumps, inert gas sprays, or wine preservation systems to remove air and extend the life of your open wine.
8. Serve at the Right Temperature
Before Opening: Allow wine to reach its ideal serving temperature before uncorking. Reds generally taste best at slightly warmer temperatures than whites.
After Opening: Serve wine at the recommended temperature for its type to enjoy the full range of flavors and aromas.
9. Label and Date Bottles
Before Opening: Maintain an organized wine collection, labeling bottles with their purchase date and other relevant information.
After Opening: Jot down the date you opened the bottle to keep track of its freshness.
10. Know When to Say Goodbye
Before Opening: Not all wines improve with age. Research the aging potential of the wine you purchase, and don’t hesitate to enjoy it at its peak.
After Opening: If a wine has passed its prime or lost its flavors, consider using it for cooking or discard it.
In conclusion, proper wine storage and preservation practices can enhance your wine-drinking experience, whether you’re savoring a special bottle or enjoying a glass with dinner. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your wine remains at its best from the moment you bring it home to the last sip in your glass. Cheers!
PERFECT STORAGE CONDITIONS FOR WINES AND CHILLED BEVERAGES For a wine to unfold its full bouquet and flavor, both the storage conditions and the serving temperature must be right. As specialists in mobile refrigeration and climate control, we have created a comprehensive product range of wine coolers for keeping wines at their optimum temperature. Whether you are wine enthusiast looking for a home wine cellar or a business searching for a mini wine fridge or large capacity under counter wine cooler, we have the solution for you!
WHAT TO THINK OF WHEN BUYING A WINE CELLAR? There are a number of factors that will go into selecting the right wine refrigerator for all of your needs. These include the wine fridge’s size, bottle capacity, volume, temperature zones, cooling components, length of anticipated storage time and shelf life of the unit. The better the wines that are in your collection, the longer you are probably going to age them. The only way wines reach their full potential is when they’re stored in a wine storage cabinet which properly protects them from all the enemies of wine. Unless your wine refrigerator is specifically designed for wine, then your wine is at risk!
DOMETIC WINE CELLARS – OPTIMAL STORAGE AND THE PERFECT TEMPERATURE Constant temperature throughout the year – between 12°C(53,6°F) and 14°C(57,2°F) achieved thanks to electronic temperature regulation in our wine cellars, acting on external cold or heat production. All wines, whether white or red, should be stored at the same temperature as that of a natural cellar. Constant adapted humidity – our wine coolers keep the humidity between 50-70 %. Only the greatest natural cellars keep this constant. Anti UV-protection – the “low emission” treatment of double-glazed doors on our wine fridges stops harmful ultraviolet rays. Constant ventilation – the air circulating inside the wine cellar by natural convection is constantly renewed. Outside air enters the upper cellar through an active carbon filter which effectively eliminates all odors before they enter the wine cellar. It is neatly emitted from the lower part of the cellar.
THE BEST WINE CELLAR CHOICE FOR AGING WINE It is essential to know how to determine the optimal moment for tasting wines. The ageing process is altered by poor wine storage (variations in temperatures, vibrations, light, etc.). The choice of a suitable wine cellar, using these criteria, is crucial to ensure that your great wines reach their peak.
WINE STORAGE TIPS Keep your wine bottles in the dark. Ultraviolet light in direct sunlight can harm the wine so make sure to store all wines away from the light. It is best to store them somewhere that is free from odors and well ventilated. Wine bottles should also rest in a stable position, free from vibrations. The temperature should remain constant throughout the year. Our superb wine cabinets can do all this and more!
HOW TO STORE DIFFERENT WINES What do you do if you want to store red and white wine together in the same wine storage cabinet? There is an easy solution! The best wine cooler in this situation is a dual zone wine cooler. A dual zone wine cooler allows you to store two different wines, according to their own ideal storage conditions, in the same wine storage cabinet. So you don’t need to spend extra money on a separate wine refrigerator for reds and whites!
COMPRESSOR WINE CABINET Compressor technology means excellent cooling performance with low current consumption, irrespective of high ambient temperatures. Multi-temperature wine cabinets from Dometic are ideal for storing red, white and sparkling wines which are soon the be served. The desired drinking temperature is simply pre-set and kept constant.
