Be it north or south and east or west - wine lovers are everywhere. There is no dearth of people who fly and pay customs just to possess a bottle of wine. An age-old wine is not only a drink to them but an asset! Just having a bottle is not enough; letting them age properly is the key to their unique taste. That is why storing your prized possessions aptly is crucial.
You must be tempted enough to think that the wine storage system is just like any other refrigerator, but in a glorified way! Both red wine and white wine need particular care and storage that will help them age with grace! Now, The question comes down to what kind of environment would be ideal for aging your wine in the cellar? Or how to store these efficiently to help it age with time?
Here are some ideas and tips the wine connoisseurs should follow for storing their wine.
Cool Conditions Are A Must:
One of the primary things to know about your wines is that the fine wines require appropriate conditions to mature slowly. These temperatures can be easily attained at reputed wine storage lockers.
In many cases, too high temperatures can end up stewing the wine composition, which would eventually spoil the flavors and the aroma. But if you think that too low temperatures are safe for your wine bottles, you are wrong again.
Extremely low temperatures hinder the subtle growth and development of the wine composition, which might ultimately change into the freezing of the same. That is way too worse for the wines, and eventually, you spoil the aroma and the flavor and the previous case.
Therefore, maintaining the essential temperature range between 55° and 60° F is essential to help your wine collection age with time and grace. You need to be patient to allow the composition to settle and develop with time and age.
Dark Is In!
Your storage space is the determining factor for storing and helping the wine age with time. Hence, you cannot allow it to get too much sunlight ever.
Why? That is because; sunlight can bring oxidization of the sulfur-containing amino acids, which eventually changes the wine flavor. Hence, store the wine bottles away from any source of direct light and fluorescent fixtures.
It is also mandatory to store the wine in a dry and dark place to retain its great flavor and taste. In case you fail to keep it away from sunlight, make sure to wrap it tightly with a cloth.
Stability Is Your Key:
You cannot hire a storage unit on a busy road. Temperature fluctuations, different conditions like a busy highway, machinery, railroads, etc. can also cause disturbances in the old wine bottles.
Sometimes, the sediment buildup in the old bottles can cause severe damages to the wine flavor and aroma due to disturbances in the environment. Hence, make sure to store these little pieces of creation in place with maximum stability.
Control Humidity
Your wine storage space also requires the integration of appropriate humidity. Otherwise, the corks might dry out and eventually shrink, causing the air to contact the wine. So, make sure to maintain appropriate humidity levels to help your wine age with time.
Seek for Air Circulation
Air circulation is another aspect to consider if you want to store the wine bottles for ages. They help to remove the intrusive odors from the wines and thereby prevent it from getting spoiled.
Cleanliness Is Vital For Your Wine
Vermin, insects, and even mold can make their way to your wine storage unit anytime. That is why you need to keep the cabinet or the wine cellar unit thoroughly clean. Never put any pieces of food in the same storage area as it tends to attract these pests.
Also, in case if your wine leaks, you need to conduct a proper cleaning at the specific site. No amount of moisture, dirt, or food items can be left behind if you want to store the wine for prolonged periods.
Lay Your Wine:
Lastly, here is the final tip for you. You need to lay down the wine bottles in your cellar to store them for a long time. There is a reason why the bottles are always stored in a horizontal position.
That is done only to facilitate the cork to maintain its appropriate moisture and prevent the air circulation from getting inside the bottle. Some wine racks come with angular designs and layouts so that the deposits occur at the bottle's base.
In case you live near to earthquake areas, such angular positions would protect the bottles from falling off the racks during any tremors. Hence, make sure to lay them facing up so they can be visible to you.
Also, try to label it accordingly and with appropriate numbers to get easy access to them as and when required. It is advisable not to disturb the bottles frequently unless you are ready to drink it up!
Final Takeaway
So, these are some of the expert tips to consider if you want to enjoy your wine age with time. But if one does not have such elaborate space to keep their wine collection safe, they can consider self-storage. However, in any circumstances, you need to be well cautious about the temperature, humidity, light, and other factors to maintain your wine collection's health.
Have you faced any difficulties with storing or managing your wine cellar? How did you manage to collect such a long list of precious wines and maintain them with time? Do share your wine collection stories and maintenance tips with the readers here!
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