While bringing them very well, the wine is thousands of years old. In fact, since the times of the ancient Romans, this elegant and magnificent drink has been tasted all over the world. There are many people who do not know how best to store wine purchased in the cellar, in the local shop or at the supermarket; learning how, will allow you to make it last longer and taste a better product.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Before opening
Step 1. Dark
Wine does not like light, especially solar or fluorescent light, the ultraviolet rays, in fact, damage the structure of the wine giving it an unpleasant smell and taste. It is for this reason that most of the bottles have a dark green color (on the market there are also bottles whose glass is equipped with grape filters). In case you do not have a special space well protected from light, where to rest the wine, cover the bottles with fabric, or leave them in their original packaging (cardboard) in a quiet corner of the house. If you occasionally expose your bottles to light try to use incandescent or sodium vapor lamps.
Step 2. Location
Store the bottles horizontally, in this way the cork will remain in contact with the wine avoiding drying out, a dry cork would allow air to penetrate into the bottle, the wine would oxidize and acquire an annoying scent of cork. Leave the side with the label facing up, any natural sediments at the bottom of the bottle will be much easier to spot.
Step 3. Temperature
A thermal shock can ruin the wine beyond repair, so make sure that the temperature and humidity are as constant as possible. In many parts of the world, the use of air conditioning systems in cellars has become commonplace.
- The storage temperature should always remain within a range of 12 to 24 degrees. Temperatures above 24 degrees oxidize the wine, excessively low temperatures create shocks capable of compromising the aging process, limiting its duration over time. Wine prefers hot to cold, but a storage temperature between 15 and 18 degrees is ideal.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature, any changes must take place slowly and gradually. The wine 'breathes' (there is a continuous exchange of air between the inside and the outside of the bottle through the cork) and the sudden changes in temperature cause it 'suffering', compromising aging, especially in the case of red wines.
Step 4. Movement
During transport the wine undergoes a small shock, once it arrives home, place it in the place chosen for storage, and avoid further travel. Any movement or vibration has negative effects on the wine, it is always a good rule to buy the wine a few days in advance of the tasting date, in this way it will have time to regain its natural balance.
Step 5. Humidity
Maintaining a humidity rate as constant as possible and around 70% prevents the cork from hardening and minimizes the evaporation of the wine. An environment that is too humid, with humidity values higher than 70%, would allow the growth of harmful molds and facilitate the deterioration of the labels of our bottles. Buying a hygrometer will help you monitor the humidity, allowing you to act in time if necessary.
Step 6. Wine loves solitude
Remember that wine 'breathes', do not store it in an environment where there are other foods or other objects with a very intense smell (eg cheeses and cured meats), this will prevent your wine from being contaminated. Good ventilation is also a great help in preventing any contamination.
Step 7. Time
Keep the wine for the right amount of time, not all wines improve with aging. Cheap wines, as a rule, should be drunk young. Red wines can usually be stored for a period of time that varies between 2 and 10 years, it is the quality, the quantity of tannins and the degree of acidity that determine their 'expiry date'. White wines tend to be drunk no later than 2 years from the date of production. As we all know, every rule has its exceptions, there are white wines aged for over 20 years!
Step 8. Tasting temperature
Each wine has its ideal serving temperature, respecting it guarantees us to drink an optimal product and to be able to savor all the nuances of taste and all the aromas. An incorrect serving temperature can blow years of commitment, maturation and aging.
- Rosé and dry white wines: 8 ° - 14 °
- Prosecco, Spumante and Champagne: 6 ° - 8 °
- Young red wines: 13 ° C
- Aged red wines: 15 ° - 19 °
Method 2 of 3: After opening
Step 1. White wine
Once opened, keep the white wine in a refrigerated cellar or, in its absence, in the refrigerator. Don't wait to drink it, three to five days is the maximum shelf life. Also respect these simple rules to keep it in the best way and longer:
- Minimize exposure to air. Make sure you have carefully re-capped the bottle, there are sets on the market to vacuum-seal the bottles by sucking the air inside them. If the remaining wine is just a glass it is better to transfer it to a smaller bottle or, why not, drink it!
- Keep it away from sources of light and heat. If you have multiple refrigerators, put your bottle in the one you use less often, if you only have one, try to keep it open as little as possible.
Step 2. Red Wine
Cap the bottle carefully and then store it in a dark place, red wines are very resistant and can be stored for several days. As suggested for white wines, the use of a vacuum set helps with conservation.
Step 3. Dessert wines
Sweet and passito liqueur wines are very resistant, as for red wines it is important to close the bottle well and keep it in a cool and dark place.
Method 3 of 3: Retention options
- Cellar. For everyone it is the obvious choice, if you have a cellar available, do not hesitate, carefully arrange your bottles on the shelves and close the door, that's it! If you love precision you can create a quick cataloging system that allows you to identify the chosen bottle at the first try (you can start by dividing the cellar into zones: white, red, sparkling wines). In any case, spending time looking for a particular bottle is not an idea to be discarded.
- Cellar cabinet. If you do not have a real cellar available, and you do not intend to build one, you can think of converting an old wardrobe into a cellar, it is a cheap and easy solution to make, here are some tips:
- Get an empty closet and place it in a cool, quiet corner.
- Cover it internally with insulating material.
- If you can replace the cabinet doors with insulating and soundproofing material (steel doors are the ideal solution).
- If necessary use insulating strips on any cracks, they will further minimize possible temperature changes.
- Make sure the internal temperature is correct. There are numerous tools to air-condition your cellar, choose the one that suits you best.
- Refrigerated cellar. It is an excellent tool to keep the temperature constant and have the right humidity level. There are various models on the market, some are even equipped with different zones with different temperatures allowing to store both white and red wines at the same time.
Advice
- Give the wine all the attention it deserves. Unless you decide to consume your wine quickly, it is important to store it correctly. Find the most suitable place and follow the directions carefully.
- If you accidentally threw the cork in the garbage, cover the bottle with cling film and secure it with a rubber band.
- Even some white wines can be aged, in this case do not keep them in the refrigerator, follow the same instructions, and use the same precautions described for red wines.
- The advice and indications given will allow you to better preserve a wine purchased in the bottle. Making wine and bringing it to maturity is an art that this article is not about.
- If you think your wine is not good to drink, don't even use it to cook your dishes, you would drink it anyway!
- Carefully follow the advice of the experts, contact those in your area, ask them about the wines in their cellars and, possibly, ask if they have available space in which to store your bottles as well.
Warnings
- Remember not to store wine near other strong smelling foods such as cheeses or meats, odors and molds can ruin your wine.
- Always drink responsibly.
