Do you have an extra special bottle of wine or champagne you’ve been saving for a special occasion? If so, then you need to take a few moments to get to know the proper storage techniques that will assure you the maximum benefit and flavor when that special time comes.

A combination of temperature, humidity, and lighting preserves the wine completely until you’re ready to pop the cork for a taste.

Proper Elements

While each type of wine may require small variations to the optimal storage temperature, it’s safe to say that somewhere between 50 and 57°F is often considered peak storage temperatures.

Wine requires the temperature to be constant all year round for proper maturing. Humidity also plays a large roll in wine preservation. The humidity should be between 60-75% RH to keep the cork in place and wine sealed.

Can’t I store the wine in my fridge?

  • No, the constant vibrations will ruin some of the delicate components. Also the temperature is often too cold, resulting in damaging effects to that exquisite aroma you look forward to. What will happen if the elements are not just right?
  • When the storing temperature is above 65ºF the wine ages prematurely, resulting in loss of flavor and moisture.
  • Under 45 ºF and the wine loses its flavor and aroma
  • Fluctuating temperatures can damage the wine and cork
  • If humidity is too high, mold can grow. This results in damaged wine labels and rotting wood
  • When humidity is too low the cork dries out, cracks, and air leaks into the bottle.
Red Wine

Recommended Temperatures for chilling wine

  • Red wine:55-60°F
  • White wine:49-56°F
  • Rosé wine:49-51°F

Is it still Good?

This can be a difficult task. There is no way to be 100% certain if a wine is good or bad, but many experts recommend to check if the wine is up past the shoulder in the bottle. If the answer is yes, then typically this mean the wine is either very good, or very new. When the wine seeps down below the shoulder of the bottle you just may have a bottle that has gone bad. Regardless, you will need to open the open to determine if this is the case.

Caring for your Labels

It is important to preserve your labels, especially if you intend on storing the wine for years. Humidity is not a friend to paper, and can destroy your labels beyond recognition.To prevent this, a plastic covering should be placed over the label. These plastic coverings are easy to find both online and off. (You can even find these on EBay or at wine-related shops)

As you can see, preserving your favorite bottles of wine need not be a headache. A little thought, a little care, and you can assure yourself a fine experience when it’s time to pop that cork.