The journey of selecting wines and curating a personalised collection is one of joy and care; therefore, how you store your favourite wines should be carefully considered. Whether it is a red or white variety, the type of bottle for storing wine will make a difference. Gone are the days of simply buying a few bottles of vino and popping them on a shelf somewhere in your home. Naturally, you can store your wine this way if you intend to drink it right away; however, if you want to get the most enjoyment out of your wine, it’s best to prepare yourself with the proper knowledge and equipment. Storage for wine has evolved over time, and with the wine fridge options available, no wine will spoil your home.
What are the ideal conditions for the storage of wine?
While the climate may differ from place to place, generally, the average room temperature within a home sits comfortably around 20°C to 22°C; subsequently, the ideal temperature for storing wines isn’t necessarily within that range. Weather conditions and daily living may also affect the temperature and humidity within your home. Red wines are kept at different temperatures to rosé, white and sparkling wine in order to enhance their flavour profile, aroma and subtle nuances.
What is the best way to store red wine?
It may be time to overhaul the old adage of storing and serving red wine at room temperature; alternatively, some red varietals are best enjoyed chilled. Great news for red wine lovers, summer reds are a thing; for example, a lovely light Pinot Noir or Lambrusco. Simpler, lighter red wines certainly benefit from being chilled at approximately 12°C. In comparison, full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah with an alcohol percentage greater than 13.5 are best enjoyed around 16°C to 18°C. Ideally, you might consider using a wine fridge to control and monitor the various temperature ranges.
How do you store white wine?
White wine is almost always served chilled in an endeavour to balance acidity and flavour. Storing the white wine in your home is most accessible in the refrigerator or a dedicated wine fridge. However, it’s unlikely that most homes are equipped with a wine cellar; white varietals can sometimes be stored outside of refrigeration if the conditions are carefully monitored. To savour the aromas and flavour of white wine, chill at around 7°C to 12°C before serving. Be aware that your standard household fridge gets too much lower temperatures than a regulated wine fridge, and bringing the temperature of your favourite blanc too low may dull the taste.
Should you put rosé in the fridge?
Slightly tart and refreshing, a fruity rosé benefits from refrigeration at around 6ºC to 8ºC; of course, as with white wine, rosé is also prone to oxidation and should be kept chilled once opened. As to how long your bottle of rosé will last, the general rule is that the more recent vintage it is, the quicker you should consume it. Interestingly enough, a refrigerator is designed to get to very low temperatures and retain no humidity; as a result, the cork of your rosé bottle will rapidly dry out and further encourage oxidation even when kept chilled – all the more reason to enjoy it quickly.
