Many people believe that as long as they store their wine comfortably in a wine rack, it should last for years without spoilage. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. According to Perlick, one of the premium wine storage appliance brands available through our showrooms, a number of critical factors affect wine during storage. To store wine successfully, homeowners must pay attention to a variety of factors, including humidity levels, ultraviolet light, and even vibrations. Proper storage temperatures also vary based on the type of wine stored, and because wine is highly susceptible to temperature changes, it is important that the environment is consistent.
Below is a run-down of the factors that can affect wine that has been stored in your home:
High temperatures or prolonged exposure to light sources can ruin wine’s flavor upon extended exposure. If wine gets too hot, it will push the cork out of the bottle, causing the wine to spoil.
Temperatures that are too cool can also be a problem. A dry environment can dry out corks, causing seepage. Lower temperatures can also “paralyze” wine, altering its natural development and taste. When wine is exposed to temperatures that are too cold, it can even freeze and expand.
Many people have a general idea that once wine is opened, it deteriorates quickly. Even re-corking the bottle won’t help for long. Why is this true? Oxygen is indeed an enemy of wine. When air gets into a bottle, the wine begins to oxidize. White wines brown, red wines fade, and all wines will take on a Sherry-like “nose.” To keep air out of newly purchased bottles, maintain a tight seal: store bottles of wine on their side so that the corks stay damp.
It surprises many people to hear that moving wine bottles too often is another factor that affects wine preservation. Frequent disturbances and movements agitate the wine. The vibrations interfere with the biochemical process of maturation, and can often destroy high quality wines.
Did you know that a strong odor in your wine racks or storage area could influence the flavor of your wine? If you’re creating a new wine storage space, choose wood that is as non-aromatic as possible. Any finish must be odorless once the wine cellar is stocked with your collection. One tip: beware of old woods that can cause the cork to rot. Any potential storage areas should be carefully cleaned to eliminate any evidence of a musty smell or dry rot.
Exposure to ultraviolet light prematurely ages and damages wine, causing the wine to become cloudy and give off strong odors and off-flavors. For this reason, it is best to store wine in a dark environment. Quality wine reserves actually have UV protected glass doors, which help create the ideal environment for wine storage.
As we mentioned early on, knowing the correct temperature needed to store various types of wine is a critical aspect of wine storage. Wine Spectator explains that sparkling wines, dessert wines and most white wines should be stored between 34 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve their freshness. Fuller-bodied whites, such as Chardonnay, should be served slightly warmer. Red wines, meanwhile, should be served at 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Our thanks go out to Perlick for providing this great information. You can stop by one of our showrooms to learn about Perlick’s many home wine storage solutions. We also provide great wine storage options from other premium brands, including Bosch, Gaggenau, Liebherr, Miele, Sub Zero, Thermador, and Viking.
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