While you have little to worry about with short term vibrations, if you’re looking to store wine over several years it can have a huge effect on the quality, flavours, aroma and textures. It could also result in the sediments of older wines becoming agitated, keeping them from settling naturally, and possibly introducing unwanted grittiness to what would otherwise be a beautiful wine. Many experts believe that exposing wine to vibration affects the chemical reactions that naturally occur over time, causing premature – and undesirable – changes to its developing character. VIBRATION – (DON’T’) SHAKE IT UP BABY NOW While this won’t affect a properly-sealed bottle, it may degrade and damage the bottle labels.ģ. Anything over 70% won’t damage the cork or your wine, but anything considerably higher runs the risk of mould or mildew occurring in your storage area over time. Keeping humidity levels between 50% to 60% relative humidity is the safest bet – below that, your cork risks drying out. White wines are much more susceptible to oxidisation than reds, since the tannins in red wine act as a buffer. If conditions are too dry, the cork might shrink and your wine may become oxidised. While most wines today are under screw-cap, it still pays to understand the ideal conditions for keeping wines sealed with cork. Keep it cool – not too cool, mind – but more importantly, keep it constant! Regardless of whether the wine is under cork or screw cap, hot temperatures over a long enough time will also ‘cook’ the wine in the bottle, permanently souring its taste. Exposure to excessive heat can compromise the seal of a bottle, especially if it is under cork.Įxpansion from the hot air pushes the cork out, causing the wine to become oxidised – and oxygen is the enemy of fresh wine. Avoid storing your wine in hot places like an uninsulated shed or garage, near a fireplace (as romantic an image that is), or on top of a cabinet where it could be exposed to hot, rising air. When storing wine, the ideal temperature is between 12✬ to 14✬, to be maintained at a constant all year round. TEMPERATURE – FINDING THE GOLDILOCKS ZONE Let’s look at the importance of each element in turn, and their effects on the wine you’re wanting to store.ġ. Now, not everyone has a dedicated cellar, or wine storage fridge, but the below guide will help you find the most appropriate way for you to keep your wine at its best in your home, for drinking soon or sometime in the future.

But fear not! There are four elemental things to consider if you’re looking to store wine, and their effects on your wine are both simple to understand and easy to avoid. While good winemaking is more art than science, good wine storage is more science than art. Let them develop like the experts with these simple wine storage tips. But some – particularly those big reds and Hunter Valley Semillons – have years ahead of them yet. Wine The Do's and Don'ts of Good Wine Storage (Hint: it's not as hard as you think!)Įvery wine you receive from us here at Wine Selectors is perfect to enjoy right now.

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