Storing Wine

Before Opening

Wine to be consumed within a few weeks

Keep bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and vibration. It is best to store wine on its side, this will keep the cork moist and prevent air from penetrating into the bottle. Chill white and sparkling wines just before serving rather than storing them in the refrigerator.

Wine to be consumed at a later date or purchased specifically for ageing

Keep bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and vibration. It is best to store wine on its side, this will keep the cork moist and prevent air from penetrating into the bottle.

Storage conditions that must be kept constant are temperature (approximately 55º F) and humidity (70-80%). To achieve this, you will need a special unit designed for wine storage or you may need to convert a closet or basement storage area into a wine cellar.

Leftover Wine

The key to preserving leftover wine is to prevent exposure to air. Air causes wine to age and the wine will oxidize and lose its freshness.

There are devices available on the market that will help to purge the bottle of oxygen. Canisters of nitrogen can be sprayed into the bottle before re-corking to displace oxygen. Another device pumps air from the bottle and seals it with a rubber gasket. These devices help to preserve the wine longer than simply re-corking the bottle and storing them in the refrigerator.

Tip: Transfer leftover wine to a smaller bottle to lessen exposure to air.

A re-corked leftover bottle of red or white wine	Can be stored 3-5 days in the refrigerator without affecting the flavor. Remove red wine from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature before drinking. Red wine that is not stored in the refrigerator, but is re-corked tightly, should retain its freshness for approximately 2 days (or 48 hours).
A re-corked leftover bottle of sparkling wine (champagne)	Will remain fresh when stored in a refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Tip: If you have misplaced or thrown away the cork, place a piece of plastic wrap over the bottle opening and secure with a rubber band.

Storing Wine

Before Opening

Storing Wine Reviews