The Do’s and Don’ts of Storing Wine at Home

Originally published on Redfin February 14, 2020 - By Lexi Klinkenberg

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  • Some days there’s nothing better than coming home from work and pouring yourself a nice glass of wine. Whether you prefer white or red, having the proper storage arrangement for your wine can be critical. If you live somewhere warm like Florida, it is very important to make sure your wine is kept at a moderate temperature and away from the sun. There are many other factors that go into storing wine that can often be overlooked. If you want to learn more about how you should and shouldn’t store wine in your home read these tips from the wine experts.

    What you Should Avoid

    Saving wine past its prime 

    One of the worst things you can do if you store wine at home is to not drink it. Often, wine is collected and saved way past its prime. Wine should be accessible and enjoyed for everyday pleasure. –Fernando Beteta 

    Letting your corks dry out 

    The optimal temperature should be 55 degrees and 70% relative humidity. The higher humidity protects the cork from drying out, which can lead to premature aging of the wine. –Arrowood Vineyards 

    Storing wine in the sun 

    Ultraviolet light can cause multiple problems in stored bottles of wine. It can damage the wine and cause premature aging as well as develop a bad smell in the wine; sunlight can actually cause your wine to become stinky. Most wines that are meant for aging are bottled in colored glass as the first line of defense against light damage. – Jason Hanson, Hanson Vineyards

    Keeping all your wine in the cellar 

    Even if you have the perfect cellar for aging, it’s helpful to have everyday wines close at hand.   Storage conditions aren’t as important when wine gets consumed soon after purchase, and that way, I don’t have to run to the cellar every time I want a glass. Research is showing that a glass or two of wine a night is part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, so remember to eat your veggies and drink your fruit! –Côte Bonneville  

    Leaving wine out after opening 

    If you want to extend the life of a partially consumed wine rehome your remaining wine into a smaller bottle or vessel containing a screw cap to reduce the amount of air inside the container. A narrow-mouthed mason jar or even a plastic water bottle would work, but glass is preferred. –Joe Ibrahim, Willamette Valley Vineyards

    If you do not finish a bottle of wine after opening it you should store it in the fridge – this works for every color of wine. It will last longer in the colder temperatures for enjoyment up to five days later! –Coy Barnes, The Wine Wrangler 

    What you should do

    Find the right temperature 

    When storing wine, think 60/60. 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and 60% humidity. For long term storage, wine does not like hot or dry climates. Follow these guidelines and your wine can be tucked away for years. –Ruby Vineyard & Winery

    Organize your wine 

    Organize your wine so you can find the bottle you are looking for. Firstly, organize by region. Then, organize chronologically, the oldest bottles on the bottom of the rack, the newest wine on top.  –Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards

    Store daily wines in the refrigerator 

    Store your cherished wines in the safe dark place and place your daily wines in your refrigerator and yes, even the daily reds. Better to pull out the reds 1 hour before you enjoy them rather than relying on the temperature or lighting of your house. –Gen 7 Wines 

    It’s always great to keep a few bottles of whites chilling in your fridge, especially in the warmer months. However, if you see small crystals of potassium bitartrate in your glass do not be alarmed. The formation of these crystals is perfectly normal, especially in chilled wines that have not undergone cold-stabilization, and they are not harmful. -Andrew Browne, Browne Family Vineyards

    Avoid heat 

    Avoid heat at all times, a basement or wine refrigerator is best.  However, a closest in a cool room would be a good alternative. –Anthony Riboli, Riboli Family of San Antonio Winery

    Use the best materials for your Wine Cellar 

    If you’re building a dedicated wine room, consider adding display counters, rolling drawers, and shelving with wine cubbies. Also, consider the flooring – use reclaimed barrels. Barrels have been in humid conditions before, and are primed for use in a home wine cellar. JJ Buckley Fine Wines

    When looking for storage shelves, find ones with angled displays so you can keep the cork moist, see the unique labels, and be reminded of memories made visiting the winery. Allowing you to curate a wine cellar that is truly impressive. –PEJU Winery

    Invest in a wine fridge 

    Invest in one small wine fridge; even if it just holds 6 bottles. Put anything you think you won’t drink for a year in there. –PlumpJack Wine and Spirits

    Age your wine properly 

    Certain wines age better than others. Whites and roses don’t necessarily benefit from age. Most should be consumed within 1 to 2 years. However, red wines can easily age 3 to 10 years and develop some interesting new flavors. –Patterson Cellars

    Today wine producers create their wine to be consumed young. If you choose to store, do so in a dark place where the humidity and temperatures are consistent. Vinoski Winery v


Lexi Klinkenberg

Lexi is part of the content marketing team and enjoys writing about real estate and design trends. Her dream home would be a contemporary home with an open floor plan, lots of windows, and a waterfront view.

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