We can all agree that the best part of wine is drinking it. But what if your cup runneth over (see what we did there?) and you don’t have time to finish those extra bottles from your nightly Saucey delivery. Where do you store it? What temperature is best? Wait…why did you stop drinking, again?
We are sharing attainable tips from the experts to keep your wine as fresh as possible. SPOILER: You may want to keep it out of the kitchen. And we don’t mean open on your nightstand.
1. Remember: Wine Is Perishable.
Unlike your favorite hard liquor which can take a major beating, there is insufficient alcohol in wine to preserve it forever. All wine will go bad, but how quickly depends on your treatment. So you left that bottle of vodka in the car while you were at the beach this summer? It’s fine. But the bottle of wine next to it? Not so much.
2. Keep It In The Dark.
This is the #1 rule. Store all wines away from light, especially direct sunlight and light fixtures.
3. Corked Should Be On Its Side.
Storing a wine bottle on its side ensures that the wine comes in contact with the cork, thus preventing the cork from drying out. Bottles with screw-top closures or plastic corks, as well as sparkling wines (which keep corks moist due to pressure inside the bottle) can be stored vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference.
4. Let It Breathe.
Your wine “breathes” even if it isn’t open, so don’t store it with or near anything that has a strong smell. Strong scents can permeate through the cork, so try to store in a well ventilated area.
5. Keep It Steady.
The ideal temperature for wine storage is between 45° F and 65° F, but if you haven’t splurged on that wine fridge yet, try to keep it in a steady temperature. Extreme heat or cold (or the transition between the two) will harm the taste of your wine. If you have a small kitchen, you may want to consider another area for wine storage because of the heat given off by active appliances.
6. Know What to Do Once It’s Open.
Sparkling Wine: 1-3 days in the fridge with a wine stopper.
Light White and Rosé: 5-7 days in the fridge with a cork.
Full-Bodied White Wine: 3-5 days in the fridge with a cork.
Red Wine: 3-5 days in a cool, dark place with a cork.
Fortified Wine: 28 days in a cool, dark place with a cork.
Wine in a Bag/Box: 28 days in the refrigerator.
