Few wine lovers are lucky enough to possess perfect purpose built, cavernous, subterranean cellars. Many of us have imperfect storage arrangements for our wine, but it is important to understand how to protect wine from damaging conditions so that we can make the most of the wine storage facilities available. Wine storage conditions dont need to be perfect, but the finer the wine and the longer you intend to store it for, the nearer to perfect they have to be.

Wine is a natural, perishable food product. Left exposed to heat, light, vibration or fluctuations in temperature and humidity, all types of wine can spoil. When properly stored, wines not only maintain their quality but many actually improve in aroma, flavor, and complexity as they mature. The aim in this article is to give you an overview of the factors to consider and the options available for storing your wine.

1) Temperature

The objective is to provide stored wines with a constant temperature of between 50°F and 59°F (10°C – 15°C). Seasonal changes in temperature will not harm your wine, although fluctuations greater than one degree a week should be avoided. Wines subjected to temperatures over 77°F (25°C) are in grave danger of rapid deterioration.

Wines stored in less than ideal conditions will age at speeds quite different to those envisaged by winemakers when they offer suggested storage times. A hygro thermometer will provide you with accurate information as to both the temperature and humidity ranges within your cellar.

A well-constructed above ground cellar or a well dug underground cellar will require the minimum of additional temperature control although your climate or the position of your wine cellar may necessitate the use of a cooling device that will provide complete temperature stability. Another alternative is a temperature controlled wine cabinet, some of these can hold up to 800 bottles.


2) Light

Light will prematurely age a bottle of wine. Clear bottles are most susceptible to this problem, but ultraviolet light will penetrate even dark colored glass. Ultraviolet light will damage wine by causing the degradation of the otherwise stable organic compounds, especially the tannins found in wine. These organic compounds contribute to the aroma, flavor and structure of the wine. Without them your wine would appear flat and thin. So exposure to ultraviolet light results in unfavorable and irreversible changes in your wine. Sparkling wines require extra care as they are more sensitive to light than other wines.

3) Humidity

A dry atmosphere is an enemy of the natural cork seal. A natural cork is compressed and forced into the bottle as a 100% natural seal. Low humidity combined with a defective cork results in the wine moving out of the bottle (increasing ullage) and air naturally moving into the bottle. Moderate humidity is important to keep the cork in good resilient condition and prevent it shrinking. Screw capped bottles do not require humidity. Excessive humidity will not harm the wine but can cause the labels to go moldy. The ideal humidity for your cellar is 70%, however anywhere between 50–80% is acceptable.

4) Movement

Wine does not enjoy movement. If you ever need to transport your wine or if it has just been delivered from your merchant, then it's important to give the wine a few days rest. If you happen to live in a house that gets shook by heavy traffic, trains or planes, then try and store your wine in an area that is least affected.

5) Horizontal

Store your wine bottles horizontally so the wine is in contact with the cork. This will keep the cork wet. If the cork dries out and shrinks it will let air get to your wine. Store it with the label facing up so you can easily see what the wine is and also so you don't need to disturb the bottle to see what you've got in your cellar. The sediment will form on the opposite side to the label and make it easier to see. Also tThe label is less likely to suffer damage. If you're storing wine as an investment, a damaged label will reduce the value.

Buying a Wine Rack

The five points we have just covered are your main considerations when choosing where to store your wine. If you have the money, it is possible to purchase a high quality wine storage cabinet. These temperature and humidity-controlled cabinets resemble refrigerators, but will give you perfect storage conditions. For others, wine racks made from various materials will better fit their syle. capacity plus budgetary needs.shop for all your wine storage needs now >