Wine should be kept cool and quiet, and out of direct light.  So the wine rack on top of your refrigerator is only good for displaying empty bottles.  You should also avoid keeping wine or Champagne in the refrigerator for more than a week or two: it’s too cold and too dry.  As Marshall says, “The kitchen is a great place to drink wine but a lousy place to store it.”

The ideal storage conditions for wine and Champagne are:

1. A constant 55 degrees Fahrenheit
2. High humidity (around 70%)
3. No sunlight and not much artificial light
4. Little or no vibration

Most of us do not have these perfect conditions.  Just know that the further from ideal your conditions are, the faster the wines will age.  But even storage under less than ideal conditions can be beneficial.  You can still store wine, but don’t plan to keep them for years.  Long term storage will require an investment in a wine storage unit.

First consider location.  For most, a house basement works just fine.  Temperatures will fluctuate with the seasons, but the changes will be gradual.  Temperatures over 75 and rapid fluctuations in temperature can severely damage wine.  If there is no basement, then a closet or the coolest place in the house will be best.

The next factor is how it is stored.  It is important to store wine horizontally or upside down to keep the cork from cracking or shrinking, letting in unwanted air.  This also keeps the cork properly moistened.

Generally speaking, if you’re a casual drinker and drink your wine within one year of purchase, you can store wine anywhere that is not exposed to light or heat (basement, closet, pantry, under the sink).  And as always, if you have questions ask any of our knowledgeable staff.   

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