A bottle of wine is a living and breathing piece of art.
Evolving from barrel to bottle, and from first pour to last, wine is changed by countless factors that make a difference.
Temperature, light, movement, position, and humidity all play a part in wine’s expression and survival.
How Does Temperature Affect Wine?
Temperature affects the oxidation rate of wine and hence can speed up, or slow down its ageing.
Colder temperatures slow down wine’s ageing while warmer temperatures will speed it up.
What Is The Perfect Temperature To Store Wine?
The perfect temperature to store wine is said to be 52F (11C).
A range from 40F-60F (5C-18C) is acceptable.
The most important thing to avoid is a consistent, huge swing in temperature. This will expand and contract the cork leading to a varying oxidation rate.
Can You Store Wine In The Fridge?
You can store wine in the fridge but the amount of time varies between cork, screwcap, and sparkling wines.
Refrigerators are dehumidifiers and this affects cork.
Regular corks only have 2 or 3 days before they start to dry out and allow more oxygen in.
Champagne and sparkling can remain upright in a fridge for extended amounts of time as the sparkling wine inside creates a humid gas that keeps the cork moist on the inside.
Screw caps have no cork and therefore can last in the fridge indefinitely.
Does Light Affect Wine?
The Ultra Violet side of light’s spectrum will affect wine. This is why different colored glass bottles are used.
Wines that are to be chilled and consumed in a year or two, light dry white wines, and rose will usually be in clear bottles.
If the wine is meant to be aged or has the potential, it will have darker glass to protect it.
The famous Roederer “Cristal” Champagne can age for decades so it is wrapped in yellow cellophane to protect its clear bottle.
Dom Perignon and other age worthy champagne are found in very dark bottles, and usually in fancy boxes.
Wines That Can Be Stored Upright
- Champagne Or Sparkling
- Screw Capped Bottles
- Wines Meant To Be Consumed Within A Year Or Two
Wines That Should Be Stored Horizontally
- Red Wines With A Straight Cork
- White Wines With A Straight Cork
How Do I Store Wine After Opening?
White wine should be stored in the fridge after opening because cool temperatures will slow down the oxygenation of the wine.
Red wine should be kept upright in a wine cooler or cellar at 40F-60F or in the refrigerator.
How Long Does Wine Last Opened?
Different wines will last different amounts of time after being opened. The exact amount of time is controversial because everyone has different standards.
- Dry white wines can last for 2-4 days
- Sweet white wines can last a week (sometimes two).
- Dry light to medium bodied red wines can last for 2-4 days.
- Dry full bodied red wines can last 3-5 days after opened.
- Fortified red wines (Port, Madeira, Sherry) can last for months after being opened.
Wines That Have Some Considerable Age (20-40 years) Should Be Consumed Within A Day!
Many modern winemakers are making wines designed to be consumed without much cellaring because modern consumers show less patience for the process.
This is a real shame in my opinion. The places that a grape’s expression can go, and the heights that a wine can reach with time, patience, and care are worthy of poetry and song.
I highly recommend laying down some quality Pinot Noir at least 10 years, a big Barolo for 20, or the right Riesling for 50 plus.
While you are waiting on those wine’s to evolve, drink fresh Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Barbera, or an already aged Reserva Tempranillo to your hearts content!
Lay down a bottle of Dom Perignon for you and your spouse’s 25th anniversary, or your child or grandkids 21st birthday. You can enjoy Cava, Prosecco, and Non Vintage Champagne along the way.
Enjoy exploring all things wine, and time.
Cheers!
