Wine storage is a delicate art. Storage can change the quality of wine so drastically, in fact, that experts have thoroughly researched wine storage conditions in order to determine what factors affect the quality of wine the most. Their answer? Temperature, humidity, and light.
The temperature doesn’t even have to be very high for your wine to start tasting spoiled. In fact, any temperature above 77 degrees Fahrenheit can “cook” your wine and change the delicate flavors of the wine. Some wines can be exposed to high temperatures for quite some time, while others, such as Rieslings, are vulnerable to changing quickly upon exposure to temperatures that aren’t optimal.
Similarly, if the temperature is too cold, the wine can freeze and expand, pushing out the cork and exposing the wine to oxygen. As any storage expert can tell you, Oxygen is a dangerous enemy of a wine’s delicate chemistry. Finally, dramatic swings in temperature (such as moving your wine from a warm room to a refrigerator) can change the wine’s chemistry and “spoil” the wine.
So what is the ideal temperature for wine storage, and how can you make sure you’re maintaining that temperature? Experts generally agree that the wine should be stored at temperatures between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit: cool, but not cold.
Don’t worry if it seems difficult to maintain this optimum temperature range. Several professional wine storage companies, like Vintage Cellars, have taken the guesswork out of maintaining an ideal temperature by offering a variety of wine storage cooling units. These units, which are not air conditioners, instead monitor and regulate the temperature in your wine cellar so that it will always remain optimum.
Cooling units are based on an exact science, and it’s important to think about your personal needs before you decide on a wine cooling unit. For example, if you live in a place that’s prone to humidity, you will definitely want to look into a unit like WhisperKOOL, which also dehumidifies. However, even humidity is a tricky science when it comes to wine storage: if the air is too dry, the bottle’s cork may dry out and expose the wine to oxygen. Most experts believe that 75% humidity is ideal for wine storage.
Proper wine storage may seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth it; the reason wines are so susceptible to temperature and humidity is because they have such a delicate chemistry, which lends itself to rich flavors, exciting undertones, and an overall taste experience unlike any other. By making sure your wine cellar is an optimal temperature, you can take comfort in knowing that you will be maintaining every special note in your wine.
(Guest Blog) Andrea Northrop is a freelance writer and avid wine lover.
