Although position is important when storing
wine, temperature is the most important storing factor overall.
Even though you may not have the ideal conditions for storage,
you should always have the optimal level of temperature. The
temperature when storing your wine is very important, as it
affects the overall quality, flavor, and longevity of the wine.
Most wines need to be stored for long periods of time, which is
why the temperature is so very important.
The temperature for storing wine should always be between 50 and
65 degrees F. When stored in this range, the wine will develop
quite nicely. In the days before refrigeration, wine was stored
in underground cellars and caves. When refrigeration came along,
it quickly became the easiest and most preferred way to store
wine, as it allowed you to maintain the same desired
temperature.
In this day and age, science plays a major role with wine
making. Science has proved over the years that aging is actually
a chain of chemical reactions that occur over time. Depending on
the temperature, the chemical reactions can either be good or
bad. Chemical reactions all have unique energy factors that need
to be met for each individual reaction to happen. If the
temperature isn’t right, the chemical reactions in the wine
won’t occur.
If wine is stored in direct sunlight or in a hot area, the
increase in temperature can result in a chemical reaction that
can damage both the flavor and the quality of the wine. Wine
that has been damaged from heat will normally turn brown due to
the oxidation. When this happens, the flavor and quality of the
wine won’t be any good. Wine that is damaged from heat loses all
of it’s flavor and color, making it virtually impossible to
drink - or sell.
Colder temperatures on the other hand may slow the aging
process, although it can also prevent the wine from getting the
chemical reactions it needs as well. Lower temperatures may not
affect the quality or taste of the wine, although it isn’t
recommended. All bottles of wine, until they have been opened,
should be stored in a location with a temperature above 50
degrees F. This way, the wine will be in the proper temperature
for storage and able to get the chemical reactions it needs.
You should keep any open bottles in your refrigerator, as the
average temperature is normally 41 degrees F. You shouldn’t keep
bottles that you haven’t opened in the fridge, as the
temperature is much too cold. If you follow the above tips when
storing your wine, you’ll find the taste to be spectacular.
Storing wine will always raise the value and add to the taste -
providing you store it the right way.
