Many of us have toured that dream show home, the one where you walk down the steps and to your right is the mega movie theatre and to the left is the Oh So Enviable Wine Cellar. Artfully encased in stone, mysterious, and housing pricey bottles of our favorite grapes, it’s the ideal storage….dark, 55 ‘ F and at least 60% humidity…. You don’t even have to be a wine drinker to appreciate how gorgeous the cellar is.
However, in reality most of us purchase less expensive wines from the local wine shop or bring back those treasured cases from a trip to the Okanagan, with the plan to consume them with friends, not store them for years. Here are a few tips for storage short term:
• In general, this includes white, light-bodied reds, Beaujolais Nouveau, blush wines and inexpensive wines.
• Store wine on it’s side to keep the cork from drying out. Even the slightest shrinking can allow air in the bottle and spoil the wine. Wines with synthetic corks or screw caps can be stored upright.
• Store wine away from light, which can oxidize the wine.
• Keep the rack in a room with no major temperature changes.
• Put the rack in a location free of vibration.
• Keep the rack away from an area with strong odors.
• Do not store the wine on top of the refrigerator, it’s hot, close to the light and the compressor will cause vibrations.
• Keeping the wines in a box in an insulated closet is an easy solution.
And if you’re ready to move on from that under the counter cooler or that beautiful floor rack, give us a call, we’d be glad to help you find your dream cellar home! And if you’re not quite that far, then Cheers!
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