| Do store bottles on their side. Storing them on | | | | constant temperature. Lastly, when the bottle is |
| their side keeps the cork in contact with the liquid | | | | put in a kitchen refrigerator, it is usually stored |
| and thus keeps the cork moist. A dry cork can | | | | standing up and thus does not keep the cork |
| create an imperfect seal with the neck and | | | | moist. |
| opening of the bottle and potentially let air in. This | | | | Don't store bottles in a cabinet above an oven or |
| can cause oxidization and cause premature aging. | | | | microwave or in the kitchen. Heat from ovens, |
| Do place the bottle in a cool place. High | | | | stoves and microwaves can shorten wine's aging |
| temperatures are very damaging. High | | | | potential and or destroy its taste and balance. |
| temperatures will speed up chemical reactions and | | | | Don't store near windows, fireplaces or other |
| dramatically shorten a wine's life. | | | | appliances or areas that give off heat or are heat |
| Do store in a dark place, especially if the bottle is | | | | sources. |
| clear. Dark bottles are better than clear or green | | | | Wine coolers and wine refrigerators are excellent |
| bottles at protecting liquids from light, but | | | | storage devices. A wine cooler can maintain a |
| regardless, dark areas are best. | | | | constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit temperature |
| Don't use your kitchen refrigerator as a storage | | | | (which is the ideal long term storage temperature) |
| or aging device. A kitchen refrigerator is too cold | | | | and provide a cool and dark environment. Lay |
| and can dry out the cork allowing air into the | | | | bottles flat in a wine fridge or wine refrigerator |
| bottle. Further, a kitchen refrigerator is constantly | | | | and let the wine cooler do the rest. |
| opened and closed making it harder to maintain a | | | | |