Nothing is better than wine to spice up your evenings. But this worthy drink also requires a lot of attention to stay in its prime taste and texture. You must store it as per quality dictates. No worries, as here you will learn the nitty-gritties of preserving wine in the simplest way rather than making it a backbreaking task.
Before diving into the details, remember that there is no need to squander money to buy the most appropriate temperature-maintaining device for storing wines.
It is noteworthy that you can store a bottle of wine for up to five years; however, if you are an ardent admirer of ultra-expensive wines or keeping them as an investment, use only professional storage facilities.
The Optimal Temperature Is Not Optional
It is no news that the best storage condition is directly related to the most favorable temperature. There are many myths about what temperature wine should be stored at to have the best taste. Replace all the notions with this clear-cut answer; around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
The leading wine organizations agree that this is the ideal temperature for white and red wines. As there is nothing definite in this world, the same is true for this temperature maintenance. You don’t have to be specific when maintaining the temperature while storing wines, as you can go up and down a few degrees without affecting the quality. Remember, don’t muddle the service temperature with the storage temperature.
But what is more significant than setting the right temperature? It always is stability. You can store your wine in an ideal environment, but it is in vain if there is no stability. Notable differences in temperature can make your drink tasteless for sure. It speeds up the process of oxidation which is a disaster for the quality. To make the environment more stable, keep the coolers full to help gain greater thermal inertia.
Humidity Is Important
Keeping wines at proper humidity levels is more crucial to the wine bottle and packaging than the wine itself. At low humidity, wine is prone to be over-mature due to the shrinking of the cork. At high humidity levels – in addition to the growth of molds and mildews – the labels can get discolored, which ultimately lowers the potential resale value of the bottle.
In the opinion of storage experts, the most suitable humidity level is 70-7f5%, but the 50-80% range is also acceptable. Again, these limitations are only valid when you store the wine for consumption purposes.
UV Exposure Can Affect The Quality
Exposure to Ultra Violet (UV) light can affect your wine properties like no other external stimuli. It disturbs the drink’s sulfur compounds, which react by producing smaller volatile compounds. These compounds are why your drink tastes like wet dog and cooked cabbage, as described by the tasting experts.
All the lights – artificial or natural – radiate UV. For the best taste and aroma, always store wine in opaque or amber-colored bottles, and install UV-free LED lights to protect the bottle. You should keep it in a dry, cool place to protect your drink.