Metric Martyrs

If you’ve ever opened a bottle of wine that you absolutely loved when you tasted it at that quaint little winery in Napa or at that sprawling vineyard in Burgundy, having boasted to your friends and family about it’s merits and how charming the vintner was, only to find that the taste from your bottle doesn’t quite match your memory, it may not just be a matter of exaggerated expectations. There may be an issue with the way it was stored once you brought it home.

Improper wine storage can contribute to a wine tasting “off” or going bad. Could you really have destroyed your own favorite bottle of wine? Yes you could. Insert tail between legs here. Wine’s many delicate components are easily affected by simple changes in its care. Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding where and how to store your wine, regardless of whether you found it in a far away land or in your local liquor store:

Temperature: In general, you can store wine safely from 40-65 degrees Fahrenheit. The basic rule of thumb is to store your red wines on the cooler end of that spectrum if you are planning on saving them for two or more years. Keep them on the warmer end of that spectrum if you’re going to consume them in less than two years. On the other hand, white wines tend to do better in cooler temperatures, no matter how soon you want to drink them. Whatever temperature within this range that you decide on, it’s important to maintain it. Wine is very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature.

Ventilation: To prevent mold on the label and cork, which can then damage the wine, and your reputation, be sure the place you choose for storage is well-ventilated.
Orientation: Wine bottles are generally best stored on their sides. This is because it keeps the cork moist. If the cork gets dry, then oxygen can seep into the bottle and spoil the wine. As long as the cork stays wet, it maintains the seal and prevents oxidation. If you’re not able to store your wine on it’s side, then you might consider gently tipping the bottles upside down every now and then to ensure that the cork stays moist (although not too often – see below).

Vibration: Wine is very sensitive to vibration. Moving it too much and subjecting it to vibration can be detrimental to its slow process of biochemical evolution. As much as possible, keep it in one place and away from blenders, food processors and vibrating massage tools.

That wasn’t too bad, was it? Now you can confidently purchase a perfect bottle of wine from that dazzling vineyard in Margaret River and know that you will be able to care for it properly until the moment you decide to pop the cork.

Tags: oxidation, temperature, wine, wine care

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