Prolong the Life of Your Wine by Properly Storing It
If you’re interested in aging your wine, storing it properly is a must. Most wine is consumed within 24 hours of purchase, so storing it properly is essential to prolong its life. Fine wines, however, can be stored for several years or more. Here are some tips for storing your wine properly. Listed below are three factors to consider: Temperature, Humidity, and Vibrations. Keeping these four factors in mind will ensure the longevity of your wine.
Storage
The ideal location for wine storage is one where the flavors remain intact and the true complexity of the wine remains visible. While it’s not possible to store every wine for an eternity, there are a few basics that you can follow to prolong the life of your wines. These guidelines apply to wine that you’ll drink within six months, but also to wines that will age for several years. This article will discuss some of these factors. In addition, we’ll cover what kind of storage is best for different types of wine.
The first step in wine storage is ensuring that the temperature and humidity are at optimal levels. While this sounds complicated, it’s really quite simple. You want to store the wine somewhere cool, dark, and sideways. You’ll want to ensure that the wine doesn’t get too hot or too cold or it will deteriorate over time. To keep the humidity level constant, consider adding some water to the storage area. A jar with water in it will help the wine stay fresher for longer.
Temperature
Two factors are crucial when storing wine: temperature and light. In general, the wine must be kept at a temperature between 45deg F and 65deg F. White wines should be stored at the lower end of the temperature range, and red wines at the higher end. Another factor is humidity. Dry air can dry out corks, but this is unlikely to happen in most locations. For these reasons, experts recommend storing wine in unfinished basements.
White wines should be stored at a slightly cooler temperature than red wines. White wines should be stored between 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, while heavier-bodied wines should be stored at 52 to 55 degrees. A wine tracker is another essential accessory to keep track of your wine collection. While it may be tedious to track your wine collection, it will allow you to enjoy it for years to come. If you are a connoisseur of wine, consider purchasing a wine tracker to keep track of your collection.
Humidity
Wine bottles need a constant level of humidity to prevent them from oxidizing. Corks will shrink if humidity levels are too low. This will allow air to enter the bottle, resulting in premature aging and a change in taste and color. Corks are not the only issue caused by low humidity. Corks can also be affected by bacteria and mold spores, which can ruin the taste of a wine.
While the optimal humidity level is 55 degrees, there are many factors that can cause high humidity in your wine cellar. Bad ventilation can cause the humidity levels to rise to dangerous levels, creating problems such as fungus, mould, and musty odors. Luckily, modern technology can help you gauge temperature and humidity levels to prevent these problems. By monitoring the humidity level and temperature, you can ensure the perfect conditions for your wine.
Vibrations
The effects of vibrations on wine have long been debated among experts. Some think vibrations are good, while others say vibrations actually have negative effects on wine. Vibrations can affect wine sediment, a natural heterogeneous substance found at the bottom of the bottle. If exposed to vibrations, sediment will mix with the liquid, changing its taste. But, what exactly does vibration do to wine? Let’s explore the issue in this article.
Vibrations can disturb sediments found in wine bottles, causing long-term damage. Additionally, vibrations can speed up the chemical reactions that occur during the aging process. In order to protect your wine from vibrations, you need to store it away from appliances. Besides, the best location for your wine cooler is in a place where there is no heavy foot traffic, and where vibrations are nonexistent. Avoid storing wine bottles on top of each other, as this could cause damage.
Choosing a dark place to store wine
Wine is best stored in a dark, cool place to prevent the oxidation process. The most ideal place is dark and secluded, with one discreet entrance and plenty of room to walk around. It should also be free of ultraviolet rays, as the sun’s rays cause wine to age faster. It should be stored away from light to protect the cork from cracking and shrinking.
While the sun’s rays are necessary for the growth of grapes, exposure to them can be harmful to wine. Specifically, UV light can cause wine to prematurely age and cause faults. In addition, UV light can damage wine labels. Thus, it is important to choose a dark place to store wine to protect your investment. Even if you enjoy spending your weekends under the sun, it is best to store your wine in a dark place to preserve its flavors.
Keeping the temperature stable
There are several reasons for ensuring that the temperature in your home is constant when storing wine. One of the most important factors in wine storage is temperature control, and keeping the room temperature below the maximum is crucial. Ideally, the temperature should be stable for a minimum of six hours and more than eight hours for a maximum of fourteen hours. If the room is not well-insulated, then a plastic or metal insulated box will do.
Wine is made through complex chemical reactions. Esterification creates esters in the wine, giving it its fruity aroma. Oxidation occurs when it produces unwanted products. Elevated temperatures speed up all chemical reactions, which is why wine that is stored above 60 degrees Fahrenheit will age faster than a wine stored below that temperature. In addition, light also increases the temperature, which will damage the wine.