To ensure that wine retains its unique qualities, it’s essential to store bottles properly at home. However, this is not always done correctly. The main reason is a general lack of knowledge around this topic—something we aim to address with this post, which we hope helps you enjoy wine at home just as you would in a fine dining establishment.
Tips for Storing Wine Bottles at Home the Right Way
Wine is a product that requires specific care, even after it has been bottled. Yet, this is often overlooked, and many people pay little attention to it once the bottle arrives at home. As a result, the wine can spoil or gradually lose its character. To prevent this from happening with any of our DEMUERTE wines, we’ve put together a series of simple tips you can follow easily at home.
Tip 1: Temperature
At WINERYON, we recommend keeping wine bottles in a cool part of your home. Ideally, the storage area should maintain a consistent temperature between 13 and 16 degrees Celsius. The key word here is consistent. Sudden temperature changes can cause the cork to expand and contract, leading to leaks or air seeping into the bottle, which negatively affects the wine.
It’s also worth noting that high temperatures speed up the wine’s aging process, diminishing its quality. But be careful—not even extremely low temperatures are good for bottled wine, as excessive cold can slow down the wine’s maturation process or even alter its balance.
So, perhaps surprisingly, the kitchen is not a good place to store wine, as temperature levels there tend to fluctuate widely.
Tip 2: Bottle Position
Another key factor in proper wine storage is the position of the bottles. The best practice is to store them horizontally. This way, the wine remains in contact with the cork, keeping it moist and preventing it from drying out, shrinking, and allowing air into the bottle—factors that could oxidize and spoil the wine.
There is, however, an exception: if the cork is made of silicone or plastic, horizontal storage is not necessary. If horizontal placement isn’t an option, you can store the bottles slightly tilted either upward or downward. In both cases, be aware that sediment may accumulate near the cork or at the base of the bottle. For this reason, it’s advisable to rotate the bottles occasionally to prevent sediment from affecting the wine’s taste and aroma.
Lastly, white and sparkling wines—such as our DEMUERTE WHITE—can be stored vertically without any issues. This is because they contain fewer sediments and are therefore less prone to oxidation.
Tip 3: Light Exposure
Light is another important consideration when storing wine. Exposure to light can lead to oxidation and discoloration. At WINERYON, we recommend keeping DEMUERTE wine bottles in a dark place, away from sunlight and artificial light sources. Even though our bottles are made of dark glass, this is not enough to fully protect the wine from the harmful effects of light.
Tip 4: Humidity Levels
Humidity plays a vital role in preserving the corks of wine bottles, so this factor should also be taken into account when storing your wine at home. Ideally, the relative humidity should be between 60% and 70%. This range helps keep the cork elastic and prevents it from cracking or developing mold.
Too much humidity, on the other hand, can encourage the growth of fungi and bacteria on the cork or even damage the label. Conversely, an environment that’s too dry can cause the cork to dry out and break.
Tip 5: Surrounding Odors
The smells surrounding wine bottles can also affect their contents. Wine is capable of absorbing external aromas, which can compromise its identity. To avoid this, we recommend storing your bottles in a well-ventilated space, far from chemicals, food, or perfumes.
Conclusion
Even if you don’t have a dedicated wine fridge or cabinet at home, following these guidelines will help ensure your wine is stored in optimal conditions. This means you’ll be able to enjoy its unique characteristics and nuances at home—just as you would in a professional wine cellar or a specialized venue.
