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Here on the BinWise blog, we’ve spent a great deal of time talking about different factors of how to store wine. We’ve covered wine bar cabinet and shelf storage. We’ve also gone into wine storage for different specific types of businesses, from cocktail bars to wineries.
There has been a focus on wine storage in general. It's leaned toward beverage storage ideas for country clubs, including storing wine in country clubs. Country clubs have a focus on wine storage that covers customer experience, country club drinks in general, country club dining, and guest retention.
We’ve talked about wine storage furniture, and how wine storage is different for everyone in the wine industry. It’s an important topic with an unexpectedly wide range.
In this blog post, we’ll be talking about how to store wine, specifically with wine enthusiasts in mind. Maybe you’re a home wine enthusiast who has learned how to collect wine and you want to appreciate your wine at home.
Perhaps you’re a sommelier wanting a thoughtful approach to wine storage at the restaurant or bar business where you manage the wine collection. Whatever the case, for wine enthusiasts looking for more information about wine storage, this blog is the place for you.
Wine Storage for Wine Enthusiasts
Learning how to store wine is something everyone who enjoys wine should learn about to some degree. There are the basics of wine storage. Those basics include wine storage temperatures, specifics about the light in the room, and the humidity.
If you’re looking into becoming an in-house sommelier or getting a wine certification, those basics are something you’ll already be familiar with. Those general rules around how to store wine apply to wine from the best wineries worldwide to the best wines of 2023.
These upcoming six key factors of wine storage for wine enthusiasts go beyond the basics. They're about more than the aspects of wine storage covering wine security–to avoid bottle shock. These are about aesthetics and appreciation. While your wine storage needs to be secure and regulated for wine preservation, it also needs to be as enjoyable as the wine itself.
6. Focus on Lighting
A great deal of the focus around light and wine storage falls on keeping your wine storage in a place without natural light. The question for aesthetics in wine storage, then, revolves around the lighting you bring into the space. Soft lighting, with muted white bulbs and shading, is key for creating a welcoming wine storage environment.
5. Invest In Shelving That Shows Labels
When you’re storing your wine and enjoying it, one thing to focus on is shelving that allows you to see the wine labels. Generally, shelving that offers lots of space is the best option for label viewing. Keep your favorite bottles with great label art in a smaller shelving area, so you can appreciate the labels in a direct way.
4. Sort Wine Categorically
When you walk into a wine shop, the wine is often sorted by the different varieties of wine, and by region. When it comes to your wine collection, you should sort it categorically, but the categories you choose are up to you. You can sort by favorite wines, red and white wine, or year of purchase. It’s all about what works for you.
3. Make It Artful
While wine storage needs to be practical, there’s no rule that says it can also be artful. If you’re storing wine with the intention to enjoy every moment of each bottle of wine, add artful touches to the space. Add unique, painted wine murals to the walls. Display wine-related products throughout the room. Do whatever makes the space delightful for you.
2. Keep Space for Opened Bottles
In an active wine storage space, an often overlooked detail is the space for the wine bottles you’ve opened. In a wine cellar, you won’t often keep open bottles in the room. If your wine storage space is a place where you spend time enjoying wine, however, you should have a spot for opened bottles. A desktop or shelf dedicated to pouring wine will come in handy.
1. Have Extra Space Available
When you love wine, sometimes you buy more than you initially planned. In your wine storage space, prepare for those extra bottles with spare storage. This can be a foldable rack that gets put away when it’s not in use. Whatever it is, make sure you have some extra space for those times when your wine collection is larger than usual.
"Key Takeaway: While your wine storage needs to be secure and regulated for wine preservation, it also needs to be as enjoyable as the wine itself."
Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Wine
The art form and process of how to store wine has inspired questions since wine was first invented. The history of red wine, history of white wine, history of rosé, and history of champagne is speckled with advice on storing different types of wine.
For these frequently asked questions, we dove into some of the basics of storing wine. Designing your wine storage space for enjoyment is important. Keeping these safety and security wine storage facts in mind, however, will help you create a well-rounded wine storage system.
What Is the Proper Way to Store Wine?
The proper way to store wine is to keep it at a consistent level of temperature and humidity. Ideally, it should be stored at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In actuality, anywhere between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit will be okay. The humidity level should be around 70% humidity. Anything much lower than 70% can lead to cracked corks, while higher levels can lead to mold.
Is It Okay to Store Wine Upright?
Technically, no, you shouldn’t store wine upright. When stored upright, the wine doesn’t have any contact with the cork, which results in the cork drying out over time. A dry cork will eventually lead to oxygen and bacteria getting into the wine. Having a few bottles upright for a couple of weeks won’t damage your wine, but long-term storage should be sideways.
How Long Can I Keep Wine Unopened?
The amount of time you can keep wine unopened depends on the wine type. For red wine, you can expect unopened bottles to last at peak flavor and consistency for around two to three years. White wine can last for around three to five years. When it comes to fine wine, many wines can be aged and stored for decades.
Can You Drink Opened Wine After Two Weeks?
If you want to enjoy your wine, we certainly don’t recommend drinking it when it’s been opened for two weeks or more. Most bottles of wine will still be absolutely delicious after a few days, and even up to a week after opening the bottle. A two-week-old opened wine won’t necessarily hurt you, but it won’t taste good.
Does Wine Need to Be Stored in a Dark Place?
Yes, UV light can cause chemical reactions in wine, breaking down its color and altering its flavor. Exposure to light, particularly sunlight, can accelerate the aging process and lead to a taste referred to as “lightstruck.” Even LED or fluorescent lighting can have a similar, though less severe, effect over time. For long-term storage, a dark or dimly lit area like a wine cellar or dedicated wine cabinet is best to protect wine from light.
What Humidity Level Is Best for Wine Storage?
Wine should be stored in an environment with humidity levels between 50–70%. In too dry an environment, corks can dry out, allowing air to seep into the bottle and spoil the wine. High humidity can prevent corks from drying but can also lead to mold on labels and bottle necks. A moderate, stable humidity level, such as in a wine cellar or a dedicated wine fridge, helps ensure the wine ages properly without damaging the cork or label.
Can I Store Wine in a Regular Refrigerator?
A standard refrigerator is not ideal for long-term wine storage, as its temperature is often too cold (around 40°F or lower) and lacks the proper humidity levels for wine preservation. However, a regular fridge works fine for short-term storage of wines that will be consumed within a week or two, or for keeping open bottles fresh. For long-term storage, a wine cooler or wine fridge is preferable, as it provides the appropriate temperature and humidity to age wine gracefully.
Storing Wine for Wine Enthusiasts: Where’s Your Favorite Wine Stored?
When you’re learning how to store wine these six tips will help you keep design and appreciation in mind. Yes, your wine needs to be stored to keep it in tip-top shape. If it’s not an enjoyable storage space, however, you’re missing out on that extra enjoyment of your wine. When it comes to enjoying your favorite wines, you don’t want to miss a thing!
If you’re looking into detailed, enjoyable wine storage for a bar, restaurant, or business in the hospitality industry, reach out to BinWise and BlueCart.
The BinWise Pro inventory program, paired with the BinScan mobile app, eases the process while you take inventory. BlueCart’s order management software gives you peace of mind with your order management system.