| Wine stored properly really does taste significantly | | | | fluctuate more than 5 degrees a day; this is |
| better than wine stored poorly, and so it is | | | | especially important for red wines, which are |
| definitely worth putting in the effort to ensure | | | | more susecptible to damage from temperature |
| that your wine is stored the right way. Follow the | | | | fluctuations than white wines. |
| advice set out below and you will be able to | | | | Keeping track of humidity is also important in wine |
| enjoy your wine as the wine producer intended | | | | storage. You want to aim for a humidity level of |
| you to; you will be able to enjoy it at its best. | | | | around 70-80% and can purchase a hygrometer |
| The main thing you need to know when it comes | | | | to track this. If your storage area is too dry, the |
| to wine storage is to place your bottles on their | | | | corks on your bottles will dry out and air will be |
| side somewhere and away from direct light. Doing | | | | able to seep through the edges of them. If air |
| just these two little things alone will greatly | | | | does manage to come into contact with your |
| minimize damage over time in terms of | | | | wines, prior to time that you actually want to |
| deterioration of taste and flavors. However, | | | | drink them, then a vinegar like taste will develop in |
| learning a little more than the basics is advisable | | | | them. |
| and thats what we'll look at now. | | | | A wine cellar is obviously the best place to |
| Temperature is an important factor when you're | | | | achieve these optimal conditions, but due to their |
| dealing with wine. Keeping your wines between 50 | | | | cost and the space they take up, they are not an |
| to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal; though a range | | | | option for most people. However, it is not too |
| of 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit is considered | | | | difficult to mimic the conditions of a wine cellar in |
| acceptable. A lower, colder temperature causes | | | | a basement or garage. Just install a wine rack and |
| the aging process to slow down, preventing the | | | | set-up a thermometer and and temperature / |
| wine from aging properly. A higher temperature, | | | | humidity guage to keep track of conditions. |
| on the other hand, can prematurely age your | | | | If you are wondering how long to store your |
| wine and cause it to go bad. Either way, is | | | | wine for, there is no straight answer, as many |
| considered to be damaging to wine, and will | | | | factors must be considered, not limited to the |
| noticeably worsen the taste of it | | | | production technique, style of wine, and region |
| Temperaure fluctuations are something to be | | | | where it was produced. However, a good rule of |
| aware of too, as one of the worst things that | | | | thumb is to age reds for up to 10 years and |
| you can do to your wine is subject it to varying | | | | whites for no more than a year or two. If you |
| temperatures. As bad as it is, a steady | | | | have a bought a good bottle of wine though, you |
| temperature at the extreme end of the | | | | should aim to be more specific, and should consult |
| acceptable range (45 or 65 degrees Fahrenheit) is | | | | an wine aging chart, which are available free |
| better than constantly varying temperatures | | | | online, and can help you establish exactly how long |
| within the ideal range (50 to 60 degrees | | | | to store a particular wine for. |
| Fahrenheit). The temperature should never | | | | |