The Importance of Proper Wine Storage

As any wine collector knows, one of the most important facets of wine collection is proper wine storage for your collection. Many people actually have a wine cellar. The purpose of a wine cellar is to help wine grow to its maturity without distraction and in the most comfortable conditions possible for the wine. Wine is, in fact, unlike most varieties of food and drink because it improves over the years. For this reason, wine requires correct wine storage.

For some time in history, the assumption was that the best wine was the newest wine. This assumption, however, was only built on the notion that as time passed on wine it became to taste more like vinegar. This was because of exposure to air, dirty storage containers, and generally poor wine making practices. With the advent of new processes to create fine wines, the wine storage becomes vitally important to the quality of the wine and its vitality.

Wine Storage Ideals

It was the Romans, as a matter of fact, that discovered that wine would actually improve if it was held in tightly closed storage containers. This led to some Roman wines being held for one hundred years or more. Of course, with the fall of the Roman Empire, the wine storage techniques (including the cork) fell with it.

It wasn’t until 1600 that the cork was “rediscovered” and was integrated into the techniques for storing quality wine. The English came up with new glass making techniques to improve the quality of the bottles, as well, adding a new facet to the distinction.

For true wine lovers, the ideal place in which to store wine is a cellar. The only way to truly maximize the potential of a fine wine is to store it and serve it properly, so having a cellar can drastically improve the quality of fine wine.

Many wine experts consider wine to actually be “alive”, making it fussy and finicky in terms of many aspects such as temperature and overall comfort. Wine should be kept in clean areas, dark and damp, and with good ventilation. It should also be held vibration free and without fluctuation in temperature.

In terms of wine storage, temperature is the most important factor in maintaining the quality of your wine. The best possible temperature for fine wines is 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. As mentioned, however, it is most important that the temperature remains constant without fluctuation. The slightest change can alter the flavor and texture of your “alive” wine.