Storage conditions can change the flavor and quality of your wine. Studies have found that wine doesn’t remain chemically still while in storage. It continues to change as it ages in the bottle.
These changes are not necessarily negative; in fact, they’re often desirable. In the right conditions, they can improve the wine by lowering its bitterness, bringing out the flavors of the grape, and softening the effect on your palette.
On the other hand, factors like poor conditions, excessive storage time, and bottle or cork imperfections can lead to unwanted changes, such as increased astringency. In some cases, conditions can cause wine to spoil and become unsafe to drink.
Because of its effect on quality and drinking experience, storage is front of mind for wine enthusiasts. Here are the factors that affect wine in storage and the steps to bring about positive changes to your wines as they age in your cellar or refrigerator.
Factors Affecting Wine Storage
Several factors affect wine flavor and quality during storage. For instance, there are basic factors that affect each wine’s taste. As a wine enthusiast, you need to account for each of these variables when deciding how to store your collection.
For instance, wine varieties have different acidity levels. Also, tannins affect the bitterness of wine, and you need to understand how they get reduced as wine ages.
These flavor-related elements are also affected by light and temperature. Even subtle vibrations can agitate the wine inside the bottle, leading to chemical changes that affect flavor, acidity, and tannin levels. Here’s a look at these different factors.
Optimal Temperature
The best temperature for most wines is between 50 to 60 F, with 55 F being the ideal for both red and white wines. These temperatures are best for long-term storage. If you’re transporting wine, you can keep it at higher temperatures. The flavor won’t be impacted if it is kept below 75 F for one to four weeks.
Wine is damaged at temperatures above 86 F and gets frozen below 23 F. It can stand up to 30 minutes of exposure to temperatures inside these extremes but outside the ideal conditions.
Keep in mind that ideal storage temperatures are different from ideal serving temperatures. Red wines are best served between 59 to 64 F. White and other light wines like rose are best between 50 and 60 F. You can bring the wine to serving temperature in the 30 minutes before serving.
Moisture can also affect wine. If the humidity is above 70%, the outside of the bottle and labels could develop mold. However, if the humidity drops below 40%, the corks could dry out. Once dry, they will contract and no longer be able to seal the bottle. In extreme cases, the wine could begin evaporating.
Though humidity ranges are more forgiving than temperature ranges, it is essential to control both to ensure proper aging and the quality of your wine.
Light and Vibration
Ultraviolet (UV) light can affect wine quality. Wine has phenols, which are organic compounds found in many fruits and vegetables, including grapes. UV rays interact with these substances and cause them to create sulfurous compounds that ruin the taste of the wine. Sulfur often creates a taste and odor akin to spoiled eggs.
UV light can also lead to over-oxidation. This process can darken the liquid, give it a vinegar-like flavor, and reduce the aromatic qualities of the wine.
White wines are especially susceptible to UV rays, especially if they’re stored in clear bottles. Store wines in green or dark bottles and keep them in a dark area away from sunlight. Wine cabinets or coolers with transparent doors should have UV-resistant glass.
Finally, you can opt for LED lights that do not emit ultraviolet rays to illuminate the area where your wine is located.
Small vibrations, such as those from a refrigerator, fan, or other appliance, can affect wine quality by agitating sediment in the bottle and altering the chemical composition of the wine. One study in the Journal of Food Composition and Aromatics found that vibrations caused changes to chemicals that affected the flavor and aroma of wine. Be aware of potential vibrations, especially if you’re using artificial cooling like a refrigerator to store your wine.
Wine Storage Options
Wine enthusiasts use different equipment and settings to store wine. A traditional wine cellar uses the natural coolness of underground environments to maintain the ideal 50 to 60 F temperature range. This may not be practical for many people, who must rely on wine racks or refrigerators to maintain the right storage conditions.
Here’s a look at the three most common storage options for wines and the advantages and drawbacks of each.
Traditional Cellars
Traditional cellars bring several important advantages. Because they’re underground, they protect white and red wine from natural light and UV rays. The temperature is also consistent; no matter what the surface temperature is, it is always 50 F and 10 feet underground. Though airflow and climate controls can affect the temperature reading, it’s much easier to control conditions in a cellar than at the surface.
However, basements attached to homes may have climate controls or contain appliances that give off heat and vibrations. For these reasons, they may not serve as good wine cellars. Also, stand-alone cellars can be expensive.
You can create ideal conditions with insulation and proper ventilation. Insulation can retain the natural coolness of a basement room, keep heat from the rest of the building outside, and help maintain a consistent level of humidity.
Wine Fridges
Wine enthusiasts without a budget or space for a traditional cellar can opt for a wine fridge. These appliances give you a great deal of control over storage conditions. You can adjust temperature and humidity easily. Compared to a full-size cellar, this option is usually quite cost-effective.
You can also opt for a dual-zone fridge with a section for cooling wines before serving. An adjustable thermostat can help you get wines to the perfect temperature for serving. Though they have similar storage temperatures, white wines and rosé wines are served cooler than red wines. Sparkling and sweet wines likewise require precise chilling before serving.
On the other hand, fridges cannot hold large wine collections. They may draw a lot of electricity, especially in hot climates, and they won’t work during power outages. Nonetheless, wine fridges are an accessible storage option for most wine enthusiasts.
Wine Racks
Wine racks are a cost-effective storage option. The shelf-like design allows you to store wine horizontally, maximizing space. Though plastic and metal wine racks are available, wood is also a common material. It can add to the design appeal of the installation and allow you to store your bottles in an aesthetically pleasing way. You can mount racks on the wall to save space or purchase free-standing racks for larger collections.
You should keep in mind that racks do not have any climate control features. Wine racks must be in a cellar or appropriately outfitted room to ensure proper storage conditions. You’ll need to account for temperature, light, and humidity separately.
Maintaining Wine Storage Conditions
Regardless of your storage choice, you need to closely monitor the conditions. Check humidity and temperature regularly to ensure they fall within the ideal range for wine aging. Unexpected changes could wreak havoc on your collection.
Even with proper climate conditions, you don’t want to store wine near windows, where it can get over-exposed to light or near UV-emitting light sources. Finally, check for consistency within the storage area. An appliance or hot water pipe in one corner might heat the nearby wines, causing spoilage.
Finally, make your wine collection accessible. You want to be able to select the wine for your next dinner party without having to search through shelves and remove bottles. With proper storage, you can age your wine properly and enjoy the full flavor and aroma experience each time you open a bottle.
