How to Store Wine

How do I store everyday wines?

Keep your bottles of wine in a cool place away from direct sunlight until you are ready to drink them. If you plan to store them for more than a few weeks, it would be best to store them laying on their side rather than standing up. This maintains the cork's moisture and keeps it tight from air.

If you do not plan to drink them soon, there is no need to store white wines, sparkling wines or Champagne in the refrigerator. but you should be sure to chill them before you serve them.

Most wines available for purchase today are "ready to drink" or good to drink as soon as you buy them.

Where should wine be stored if you do not plan to drink it in the near future?

If you start collecting wines designed for aging, you should look into storage options. Correct storage will help ensure the wine maintains its quality and integrity over time. The key conditions for wine storage are temperatures between 52-58 degrees F and humidity around 70%-80%. To achieve this in your home, you may want to use your basement (often the perfect place to create a wine cellar) or you can buy a special electrical unit designed specifically for wine storage.

Where should wine be stored after it's been opened?

A leftover bottle of red or white wine can be stored in the refrigerator if it is tightly re-corked for 3-5 days without changing its taste. But, be sure to take the red wine out of the refrigerator to allow it to get to room temperature before serving and drinking. A re-corked bottle of leftover sparkling wine can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days as well.

Source: The Wine Market Council