How to enjoy wine
How to store wine
Knowing the optimal way to cellar and store wine will help you get the most out of your wine.
If you only intend to keep wine for a few months and live in a relatively moderate climate, you really don′t need to worry about wine storage.
If you are interesting in storing wine, here are some tips that will keep your wine in pristine condition and allow it to develop to its full potential.
What is the ideal way to cellar wine? The answer is, "On its side, in a dark place, with a stable, cool temperature."
The principals of cellaring wine are the same wherever you live.
- Wine needs to be kept in the dark - Light prematurely ages and spoils wine. It′s no accident that a typical wine bottle is dark in colour.
- Bottles need to be stored on their sides - To keep the cork wet. If cork dries out it shrinks. This allows air into the bottle, oxidizing the wine. Wines sealed with a screw-cap do not need to be on their side.
- The temperature needs to be cool - Ideally between about 10 degrees and 15 degrees .
- The temperature needs to be stable - It is better to have your wine stored at a constant 17 degrees than to have it in an environment where the temperature fluctuates between say, 8 degrees and 16 degrees .
In order to create your own "cellar collection" there is one very simple starting point - you have to buy more wine than you currently drink. You also have to be committed to not drink the wines "earmarked" for cellaring. A great tip is to separate the wines into everyday drinking and cellaring - that way you limit the potential of "raiding the wrong wines" during a dinner party where the wine is flowing freely. The Wine Society has some great suggestions around mixed dozens that have been chosen for their cellaring potential. This is a great way to get started.
Not everyone has the luxury of space or the right conditions to create their own climate controlled cellars. Some other options include:
- Purchasing a wine cellar cabinet - these are now readily available in department stores and have become quite affordable. All shapes and sizes are available
- Use a professional wine storage provider (eg Millers)
- Pick a cupboard or a spot under a staircase in the centre of the house
- For those with underground garages these are usually ideal as they are dark and fairly cool with consistent temperatures (just make sure you have honest neighbours!)
Oh - and here′s a tip; "turning wine" on a regular basis is an old wives tale. Wine should be left to rest - leave the wine where it is and how it is when you first laid it down. Combined with the right conditions, this will ensure a wonderful wine when it is ready for drinking!
