| Short Term | | | | 58° F and about 55-75% humidity or higher. The |
| Storing wine that you will consume within 4-6 months | | | | high humidity is important because it keeps the corks |
| still requires you to duplicate the same conditions that | | | | from drying out and will minimize the possibility of |
| are required for long term storage. However, in some | | | | evaporation. The only problem you may experience |
| cases it might just be that storing your wine in a box in | | | | with higher levels of humidity is that it may produce |
| a coat closet is a satisfactory short term solution. | | | | mold on the wine labels or even loosen the labels if the |
| | | | label was applied to the bottle with water soluble glue. |
| Short term wine storage requires you to make sure | | | | Keep in mind that temperatures lower than 55 |
| that: | | | | degrees will slow down the aging of the wines. A |
| • The wine is kept in a location with stable | | | | consistent temperature is imperative as spoilage can |
| (lower) temperature (what temp?) | | | | occur if an area has temperatures that fluctuate. |
| • The area is free from vibration (keeping | | | | As stated earlier wine bottles are best preserved if |
| away from a TV on your countertop, microwave, or | | | | stored in a dark area. Wine distributors today have |
| electric can openers) | | | | been making bottles with ultraviolet filters built into the |
| • The cork stays moist (how do you make | | | | glass that help protect the contents from typical |
| sure this happens?) | | | | effects of UV rays. However, because you are |
| • You keep the bottles out of direct sunlight | | | | storing wine long term you can’t be sure it will not |
| • The location is not a storage area that has a | | | | have light exposure which could result in the wine |
| strong odor (do not use the pantry) | | | | tasting or smelling like cardboard. This is especially |
| If you have a wine rack that you keep in your kitchen | | | | noticeable in delicate white wines and sparkling wines. |
| on top of a cupboard or above the refrigerator it is | | | | If you are building a cellar in your home basement |
| best to move it to another location. Typically we find | | | | make sure it is stored away from anything with a |
| that this is not the ideal space due to the constant | | | | vibration. Sump pumps, heaters, motors or |
| opening and shutting of cabinets, the use of the | | | | generators should be avoided since the vibrations they |
| refrigerator door giving contact temperature shifts as | | | | cause are thought to negatively affect the evolution of |
| well as the vibration of the motor. . | | | | the wines. One additional factor to avoid is storing |
| Long-Term | | | | other items with very strong odors near the wine. It is |
| For long term storage it is critical to have an | | | | possible that the wine can pick up the aromas of other |
| appropriate storage location to preserve your | | | | items stored nearby. |
| investment. This location should be kept at a low | | | | If you do not have a suitable wine cellar, there are |
| stable temperature, free of vibration, high humidity and | | | | many types of modular wine racks and wine |
| dark. | | | | refrigerators that are affordable and an excellent |
| Most homes maintain a temperature of around 70° F | | | | alternative to a robust wine cellar. There are kits |
| with 20-30% humidity levels. It is recommended for | | | | available that will convert regular refrigerators into |
| ideal wine storage that the conditions are 55° to | | | | suitable wine storage units. |