A Guide to Storing & Enjoying Wine

Step 1: How long are you storing your wine for?kept out of drafts and any temperature change
The first decision to make is how long you areshould be very gradual.
planning to store your wine for. Generally shortAdditionally light can negatively impact on a wine,
term storage means 3 to 6 months and shouldwhich is why some wine bottles are made of
be your cheaper, less cherished wines, where ascoloured glass. Wine must be kept out of direct
long term can mean decades and should besun light, since too much light can react with
reserved for your quality, precious wines.proteins in wine, forming a haze and bad aromas
Step 2: Correct storage conditionsto pollute its' flavour.
Whether it's short or long term storage the sameFor long term storage, the correct atmospheric
rules apply, firstly and most crucially the bottlesconditions are required. Humidity has to be very
should be laid horizontally instead of upright, thishigh, approximately 70% or more, in order to
ensures the cork remains moist, to stop it dryingstop the cork drying out and to reduce the
out.chance of wine evaporating. Also when storing
It is essential to keep the wines in a vibration freelong term, consider the wines surroundings, ensure
environment so they can not move about,there are no other foods or liquids that could be
therefore on top of electrical appliances or a placeabsorbed into the wine itself. Substances with
subject to external forces (i.e. from a subway)strong aromas for example fuel or vinegar must
should be avoided.be kept elsewhere!
Places to avoid for wine storage that are all tooStep 3: Enjoy…
common in a family home are; above electricalWhen the time comes to pop the cork and
appliances, under a window, beside a radiator or insavour all your hard work, drink responsibly but
a greenhouse or conservatory. These places aredo try to finish bottles within a few days of
not ideal and could potential spoil an unopenedopening, since as soon as the wine is exposed to
bottle of wine.air it starts mixing with oxygen. This is known as
Wine can be greatly affected by its surroundingoxidation, which also alters the essence of the
temperature; the ideal temperature is roughly 55wine.
degrees Fahrenheit (12°C). Bottles should be