The 3 Rules of Storing Wine at Home, According to Wine Experts

If you have a growing wine collection or just like to keep a few bottles on hand at home, knowing how to store your wine properly is essential. Imagine saving a special bottle from your last winery visit (or even your latest Costco run) only to open it and find it tastes like vinegar—or worse. This unfortunate scenario can be avoided with proper storage techniques, and the good news is that you don’t need a custom-built wine cellar or lots of special gadgets to store wines or age them gracefully and keep them tasting their best.

Why Wine Storage Is important 

It's simple: wine is made of organic matter, and it ripens and evolves over time, even after it has been bottled. It has more in common with a piece of produce than a bottle of soda. Just like a bunch of grapes, it will reach a peak of flavor as it ripens, and then it will eventually go bad. The trick to wine storage is to help preserve its freshness for as long as possible and allow it to evolve until it reaches its perfect drinking window.

There are three main wine storage rules you need to follow to ensure the best results when opening your prized bottles.

1. Store Wine at a Steady Temperature

Maintaining the ideal temperature is the most important factor in wine storage, and temperature fluctuations are particularly harmful to wine. Wine is a living product that continues to evolve in a bottle, says Camila Xavier, director of prestige wines at Evaton Wine. "Storing wines at a consistent temperature will help ensure that they age slowly and delicately. Excess heat or cold can damage the wine and accelerate aging in a negative way. Heat, especially, can do a lot of damage to the wine, causing it to lose primary aromas and accentuating the perception of alcohol.”

Use a Wine Fridge

One easy way to store your wine at cellar temperature is to invest in a wine fridge—that way, you can set the temperature and know that your bottles are set up for success in aging. Wine fridges come in various sizes, from massive, 200-bottle capacity chillers to mini versions designed to live on your countertop. Some even have a dual zone feature so you can store your chardonnay slightly cooler than your cabernet. 

If cellar temperature feels too cool for you as a drinking temperature, especially with big, rich reds, simply leave the wine out at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking. As for whites, rosés, or Champagne, Guy Barnes, Head Winemaker for Columbia Crest, says: “If you have a wine you want to serve colder, you can chill it down right before serving, but keeping the wine out of room temperature will help a lot.” 

No Wine Fridge, No Problem!

Don’t have the space or budget for a wine fridge? A cool corner of your basement will do just fine for wines meant to be opened within a year of purchase. Says Xavier, “For bottles to be consumed on a day-to-day basis, a wine fridge is not needed unless the wines are being kept in a place that oscillates a lot in temperature (think next to the stove).” 

2. Protect Wine from UV Light

Wine should be kept in a dark place to avoid exposure to UV rays, which can damage its flavors and aromas—direct sunlight and fluorescent bulbs are particularly harmful. Wine damaged by light is referred to as being light struck. These harmful rays react with the compounds in wine and can create sulfuric aromas like cabbage and rotten eggs. 

You’ll notice many wines are bottled in green or amber-tinted glass. That glass protects against light strike, but it’s not enough protection if you’re storing your wine on a sunny windowsill. (If this is you, immediately move it inside a cabinet or pantry!)

3. Watch Humidity Levels for Long-Term Storage

Studies have shown that approximately 80 percent of the wines we pick up at our local wine shop will be opened and consumed within 48 hours. For these wines, storing at a specific humidity level isn’t necessary. However, if you have special bottles you’d like to age for an extended time that are sealed with corks, aim to store them between 60 to 68 percent humidity. This is because extremely dry air can cause the corks to dry out, allowing excess oxygen into the bottle, speeding up the aging process, and impacting the wine’s freshness. Conversely, too much humidity can cause the corks to grow mold or damage the label of the wine.  

Also, Keep These Tips In Mind

Consider Horizontal Storage

When you store wine bottles sealed with corks, it is best to keep them in a horizontal position. “The cork needs to be kept in contact with the wine. If not, it will dry out and allow additional oxygen to enter the bottle, leading to oxidation," says Xavier. A wine rack is a great way to store wine horizontally, ensuring easy access and efficient use of space. 

As for bottles sealed with a screw cap? There is much more flexibility in terms of storage, says Xavier, who is a fan of screwtops for everyday wines. “My recommendation would be to keep them upright, but they would not be impacted by horizontal storage.”

Invest in a Coravin

A Coravin is a device that allows you to access and pour wine without removing the cork. It uses a thin, hollow needle to pierce the cork, which allows wine to flow out. At the same time, the system replaces the poured wine with argon gas, an inert gas that prevents oxidation. The remaining wine in the bottle is preserved in its original state, maintaining its quality and flavor profile. With a Coravin, you can enjoy a glass or two from a bottle and then pop it right back into your wine fridge or rack to store it for weeks or months without worrying about spoilage. 

Storing Wine Once It Has Been Opened

There are two simple steps to keeping your wine fresh once it’s open: seal it up tightly and store it in the fridge! This will extend the longevity of your open bottles.