| Wine bottles should be stored on their
side, to ensure the cork stays moist. Dry corks can become damaged,
and allow your precious wine to leak out, resulting in oxidation of
the contents.
Most white wines should be drunk within two years from their vintage
year (the year the grapes were harvested as shown on their bottles),
while many reds should be drunk within three years from their vintage
date. An exception to this rule are those wines with a high tannin
content, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Bordeaux, which may be
stored for many years. The tannins (a natural byproduct from the grape
skins) soften as the wine ages, further enhancing its flavor. Other
European wines, such as some Red Burgundies, vintage Port, Champagne,
and Sauternes may also improve with prolonged bottle aging.
After opening a bottle of wine, the bottle must be refrigerated.
The cork should be placed back into the wine bottle, and it
should last about two days in your refrigerator. Rather than
just reinserting
the cork, it is better to use a stopper and evacuation device.
The wine should last about four days. Another solution to retard
the spoilage
of the partially consumed wine is to purchase a wine-preserving
device that uses inert gas, and then inserting a stopper. This
kind of device
will allow storage of wine in the refrigerator for at least
a week, so would be a good solution for very expensive wine. Click
here to pruchase wine preservation accessories.
For long term storage of wine, over three years or so, the ideal
environment is 55° Fahrenheit, with between 60% - 75% humidity,
and an environment free from vibration. There are many wine storage
solutions available for long term storage of your fine wines. For
short-term storage, a cool dark space with a steady temperature is
best. Temperature swings can cause damage to the wine, as can vibration.
A ride in the car to a friend’s home can actually cause damage
to a wine, but once set upright for awhile, the wine will return to
its original condition. This phenomenon is sometimes known as “travel
shock.” Wines that have a fuller body such as Cabernet Sauvignon,
are less apt to be effected by travel.
Wines that benefit from long term storage include Red Bordeaux, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Rhône Style Reds. In some cases, these wines may
be cellared for up to 30 years or more. Most other wines will
not benefit from long term storage, and in many instances, will
deteriorate with age. Most experts do not generally recommend
purchasing wine
for its investment value, as wine prices fluctuate over time.
If you choose to do so, the large format bottles, such as Magnums,
are most
valuable, as their large volume allows the wine to age more
slowly, thus holding their value longer. Click
here to purchase wine storage cabinets.
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