Basic rules for wine storing are easy whether if you are a beginner or already a wine lover.
Most white wines should be consumed after 2-3 years of storage, however select White Burgundies (Chardonnays) can be aged for over 20 years. Red wines (Merlot) can be stored and aged for anywhere between 3-10 years to mature. Let's see how it works?
You have many choices to store your wine in your house.
Most important is the temperature which has to be stable. Ideal range of temperature for storing red wine is 50-55F or 10-16C. White wines can be stored at lower ranges at 45F. More over keep the wines away from heat exposure and sunlight. Think about keep wine in dark or in twilight. Vibration: wine cork can be damaged due to fluctuation. Heavy traffic, motors, or generators may negatively affect the wine. If you are not careful it will lost its flavor and balance.
Not just the temperature but humidity is important too. 60-75% RH is ideal humidity for wine storage. Higher humidity can cause label damaging and the mold can grow as well. Too dry environment will ruin your wine. Cork will crack and air will leak into the bottle.
Store your wine horizontally so that the cork is moist. Don't leave a wine bottle in the freezer. Frozen, the wine will expand and the bottle will explode.
If you are aware of it then use a wine refrigerator. They work on higher temperature than normal refrigerators. They keep every humidity in the air. Best if you use type with controlled temperature quiet one. If you have only few bottles then use racks. Very nice ones can be found on the market. Choose your favorite one which is fit to your home design and your imagination.
After opening a bottle you have a chance to store wine if not completely consumed. Store opened white wine in the refrigerator. This will only keep the wine for three to five days. Leave red wine out. For the sake of the wine, and for yourself, only do this with red wine, never white. Place the cork in the bottle, put the bottle in a dark place. This will help for a couple of days.
Sparging the bottle with a gas (nitrogen or argon) can be very effective but it is expensive. If you do elect to try such a system, stay away from carbon dioxide since it will mix into solution with the wine. Another option is Vacu-vin. This consists of rubber bottle stoppers that hold a weak vacuum created by a hand pump that comes with the system. It is easier and much cheaper to use it.
Cheers!
Want to find out more about Wines, then visit recommended food and wine pairing site on how to choose the best wines for your pleasure.
Posted under Wine
This post was written by Janos Vulman on July 10, 2010


