Storing Wine

Hello Wine Drinkers!

Today I want to talk to you about wine storage. You don't necessarily need an expensive cellar lined with cedar shelves, pictures of beautiful vineyards, terracotta tile floors, climate controls, tasting table and of course a well stocked humidor. Although nice... but I will tell you how to take care of your wine without all that!

First, lets talk about "cellar" temperature. Not too long ago you would see statements like "Serve at room temperature" or "Store at room temperature" when referring to wine. That came from the fact that centuries ago when you lived in a castle in Europe room temperature was 50-54 degrees! Hence, room temperature. 50-54 degrees F is the optimum temp to store and serve red wine. (Slightly warmer to serve, use the 20 minute rule, take your red wine out of "cellar" temperature and let it sit for 20 minutes before serving.

Typically we serve white wine too cold. In most restaurants (and our refrigerator at home) you will find the temperature at 40-42 degrees. At that temperature a good portion of the flavor profile of the wine is covered up. Serve it closer to 48 degrees, this allows the wine to
show it's best side. Again use the 20 minute rule, take a bottle of white wine out of your refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving.

Enough of that! Lets get to storing wine. It is best to keep your wine in a constant (key word...) cool, dark space away from sun light. Keep your wine away from vibration, refrigerator compressors, washing machines etc. Keep the temp constant, a constant 65 is better that 55 for a while and then 65 for a while and then 55 again. Anything over 70 degrees is NOT GOOD. Store your bottles on their side or even upside down to keep the corks wet.

In modern times you can buy a small counter top wine refrigerator that will hold a dozen bottles for less than $100. Get rid of your microwave and replace it with a wine cooler! (What's more important, reheated food or temperature controlled wine?) You can purchase a wine cooler from Lowe's that will hold 48+ bottles for less than $200. If you don't have room for it in your kitchen place it in a closet close by, garage or basement.

Drinking wine at proper temperature helps to bring out the flavor profile completely and it dances across your tongue. Once you start to drink wine at the proper temp, you will always want your wine served in this manner!

Have fun!

Cheers!
J