Earthly TasteSeveral studies have shown that wine must be preserved in a specific way. If you don’t know the ins and outs of wine ageing, you’re more likely to overlook the necessity of good wine storage. The cellar is the first place to start if you want to get the most out of your wine escapade. Wine storage may be a stressful endeavour, but now that you’re reading this guide, you can relax and enjoy yourself without having to worry about it!
Keep it chilled
Temperature is the most important factor in wine preservation. When the temperature rises over 21°C, the wine matures quicker than expected.
If the temperature increases too much, your wine may lose its flavour and aroma. For prolonged or short-term wine storage, 13°C is typically recommended, however, it varies per wine. Consult the winemaker for specific wine temperature needs.
To avoid freezing and damage to volatile components, wines should never be kept below -4°C or above 21°C. Temperature changes cause the cap to expand and contract, enabling the wine to flow out or air to soak in.
When it comes to storing wine, dark is best
Premature ageing can be caused by exposing your wine bottle to natural light. UV rays and sunlight can raise the temperature of your wine, which can harm the flavour of your wine. Because of this, wine is typically preserved in amber and green bottles.
Choosing from the range of Swisscave wine coolers with LED lighting will allow you to look around the cooler without generating any heat. Learn more about wine storage here.
Controlled humid-spaces
A wine’s shelf life may also be shortened or extended by the amount of humidity it is exposed to while in storage. Your corks may dry out, exposing your wine to the impacts of the air, while excessive humidity might trigger the trademarks on your bottles to flake off, making them impossible to exhibit or resell.
To avoid corking, the humidity level in your wine cellar should be between 60% and 68% to avoid
drying out the corks. If this happens, it allows the wine to be exposed to oxygen, which would ruin it.
Steer clear of vibrations
Vibration may lower the shelf life of wine by speeding up chemical reactions. Vibrations can upset older wine silt, preventing it from settling and making it unpleasant. Because the silt from the bottom of the bottle has been mixed in, your wine will taste dry and bland and may appear faded or foggy. Your wine should be stored in a facility free of detrimental vibrations.
Correctly storing open bottles
When stored accurately, a bottle of wine that has been opened may survive for up to five days.
The best way to prolong the lifespan of an open bottle of wine is to quickly and firmly re-cork by encasing the cork with wax paper and slipping it back into place. In addition to alleviating the cork into the neck of the bottle, the wax will prevent any cork fragments from falling into the bottle. As an alternative to re-corking, rubber wine stoppers may be used to keep the wine fresh and prevent it from oxidising.