Wine isn’t just an ordinary drink, and that’s a fact that every passionate wine lover is going to confirm. It’s an alcoholic drink that perfectly complements your meal. That’s because it goes well with almost anything.
Plus, those who are avid wine collectors usually have that special bottle of wine (which is their favorite) that they employ for special occasions and moments that only this beverage can further elevate.
But just like everything else, it deserves proper care and attention if you want it to serve you for a very long time. This refers to various strategies that are intended to preserve your wine. If you want it to last for many, many years, then these are the methods you should implement.
The Importance Of The Proper Storage
This alcoholic drink is renowned for many things, and one of them is that it doesn’t stop changing even after it is bottled. That’s because reactions between sugars, acids, oxygen, and tannins change their flavor, texture, and aroma.
If the wine is stored in a good place, then all of these alternations will further improve your wine’s flavor. On the flip side, if it’s stored poorly, then the complete opposite will occur. For example, wines that were made in Bordeaux are designed with aging in mind.
And that’s not the situation with them only, but also with more affordable ones. Keep in mind that the difference between a wine that’s been poorly stored and one that isn’t (in terms of taste) is massive! That’s precisely why good storage is a must!
A Wine Storage As A Necessity
As stated previously, when wine is put in the proper environment, it never loses its quality, and some people will tell you that it even becomes tastier. If you wish to have that experience, as well, then real wine connoisseurs at sparefoot.com/wine-storage suggest investing some money in a good wine storage. This refers to the professional wine storage facility.
Now, some of you may perceive this as an expensive endeavor, but what you need to remember is that by opting for something like this, you will, in fact, skimp on costs! Besides that, these facilities come with wine storage that offers optimal temperature control, along with the right humidity levels, which are crucial for wine preservation and quality.
Of course, you can always have your own wine storage at home, but it will never provide the same level of quality as a professional one does.
A Huge Impact That Temperature Has
By far, one of the most impactful elements when it comes to this is the temperature. If you want this beverage to preserve its quality, then you need to store it at approximately 12-14 degrees. But what matters more, as far as this goes, is stability.
Frequent temperature oscillations result in the liquid expansion and contraction, which speeds up oxidation. Speaking of this, it’s worth mentioning that excess heat can be detrimental, too!
Namely, temperatures that are above 21 degrees usually prematurely age wine, completely killing its flavor and aroma. This could be harmful even if you expose the wine for a short period of time.
Moving On To Humidity
Even though there’s no doubt that the temperature is one of the most influential factors when it comes to this, we mustn’t forget to mention humidity, because it plays a major role, as well! If you want to preserve wine quality, then you need to store it in a place that’s sixty to seventy percent humid.
According to the real wine connoisseurs, sixty-five percent is the most optimal one. Now, if you’re wondering what makes humidity so essential, then you need to know that if the storage isn’t humid enough, it’s going to cause corks to dry out and shrink, which will result in having small gaps that do not prevent air from entering the bottle.
This type of exposure can lead to oxidation, along with premature aging. But this certainly doesn’t mean that your wine needs too much humidity. That can also be counterproductive, resulting in mold. And there’s no need to remind you that there’s no such thing as mold lover, at least not in the wine landscape.
Bottles Should Be In A Horizontal Position
It is widely known (among the wine gurus) that storing this alcoholic beverage on its side can be very beneficial. How come, you’re probably wondering? Well, that’s because this position allows the wine to maintain contact with the cork, avoiding drying out.
This is especially beneficial for bottles that are made for extended aging. For instance, upright storage isn’t good, particularly for a longer period of time, because cork loses its elasticity, which increases the likelihood of oxidation.
Although screw-cap wines are a lot more resilient to orientation, they will also benefit from the horizontal position, because by doing so, you will not only save space, but maintain consistency in the storage system, too!
Fridge, Fridge, Fridge
Now, here’s one of the simplest ways to preserve this beverage, and something that everyone can implement because it doesn’t require any particular effort, or God knows what. Of course, if you want to properly preserve it, then be sure to put it in an upright position.
So, what makes a refrigerator beneficial? Namely, the cool temperature slows the oxidation process, preserving the aroma and flavor of this alcoholic drink. This rule applies to any wine type.
If you own a wine fridge, then you should store opened wine bottles at the optimal temperature. White and rose are supposed to be stored at 45 F, while the red ones are at roughly 55 F.
Steer Clear Of Light
Light, especially sunlight, is not good for the wine. It can completely ruin it, leading to a process known as a lightstrike. Ultraviolet rays ruin the aroma and flavor, and that’s one of the reasons why this beverage is always kept in darker places.
Wine is one of the most delicious alcoholic beverages in the world, and it deserves to have the best treatment, which can easily be accomplished if you listen to the suggestions that were mentioned above.
