5 Wine Storage Basics Wine Lovers Must Know

Opening a bottle of wine is like opening yourself up to a world of pure pleasure. The explosion of nuanced scents, the beautiful mingling of succulent flavors, and the way a single sip can make your heart flutter - ah, what's not to love about wine?

Whether you're a true blue wine enthusiast or just want to keep a few bottles on hand, it is important to know the basics of wine storage for you to experience your favorite wines at their best.

Enemy #1 - Heat

We love the idea of stashing a few bottles of wine in our home, much more if we have our own cellars! But regardless of the size of your collection, it is important to store your wine away from heat and direct sunlight. Do not suck the life out of your wine by placing it anywhere with temperatures of more than 70 ° F. It will age wine more quickly than necessary and the wine can actually cook if left too long. Avoid the flat aroma and flavors by storing your wine in temperatures between 45° F and 65° F, 55° F being the most ideal. If you really can't avoid putting your bottles in storage that runs a couple degrees warmer, just make sure you're opening the bottles within a few years from their manufactured date.

Keeping your bottle refrigerated is also fine but only for a couple of months. It is because the average fridge temperature runs below 45° F and the lack of moisture might dry our corks thus allowing the air to seep into the bottles which can damage the wine.

Humidity

A humidity level of 70 percent is the most ideal for wine storage but anywhere between 50 percent and 80 percent is considered safe. To improve conditions, you can also place a pan of water in your storage area. In general, keep in mind that dry air will dry out the corks, which causes air into the bottle and thus spoil the wine and extremely damp conditions can promote mold. You may also want to get a dehumidifier to fix that.

Lights Off, Please!

When it comes to long term wine storage, light, especially sunlight can pose a potential threat to your bottles. Vintners are using colored glass bottles for a reason and that is because the UV rays from the sun can age and degrade wine. Household bulbs can only do so much like fade your labels in the long run though you may still want to opt for incandescent bulbs than fluorescent bulbs which emit small amounts of ultraviolet light, making them safer. It is a relatively minor thing to think about but, make no mistake about it especially when considering a self-storage unit for your wine collection. Choose a facility with safe and secure features for your precious belongings.

Keep it Steady

By speeding up the chemical reactions in the liquid, rumor has it that vibrations could damage wine in the long run. The documented evidence supporting this theory is only a handful but we can learn a thing or two from serious collectors who fret about even the most subtle movements on their wine. It is also important to note that significant movements could possibly disturb the sediment in older wine bottles thus keeping them from settling which results to them being unpleasantly gritty. It shouldn't worry you too much though unless you live near a train station. Just don't shake it up with gusto like you've won the MVP every time you pop a bottle.

Giving Your Bottles a Home

Wine collecting doesn't always mean having a vast cellar filled with bottles of priceless Bordeaux or Sauvignon, or having the most ideal place with a cool and not-too-damp setting. Nonetheless, it pays to give your bottles some TLC by making sure they're stored properly. Rule out the laundry room, kitchen, and other parts of your house where the temperature is high. It shouldn't be directly in line with light from the window as well to keep it from aging too soon. You can also improvise and make your own DIY wine racks and buy a small wine cooler should you see fit or you can also repurpose a spare room and turn it into a dark, stable space that's not too dry, damp, and cold for your wine storage.

An even better idea is to get yourself a self-storage unit from a reputable storage solution provider. Keep in mind that it's hard to stop once you’ve started accumulating your bottles and that wine collection is an investment. You do want to ensure your beloved wine is safe and always fresh for guaranteed wine enjoyment.

In need of extra space to store your wine? Check out your local Arco’s Self storage facility today and get the best value for your money.