Imagine that you've just finished a wonderful meal accompanied by a glass or two of wine, and you'd like to save the remaining wine for later. What is the best way to store the leftover wine in the bottle, and how long can it be kept? Or, perhaps you've recently purchased some wine and would like to store your new, unopened bottles in a place(s) where you can keep some for long term aging and others for consumption in the near future. How and where do you do begin? If these are questions that you may have had, read on for tips to help address some common wine storage concerns.

STORING LEFTOVER WINE

Keep for 2-3 Days.

Typically, you can keep the open wine for 2-3 days before it will turn bad and develop unpleasant flavors. Replace the cork as tightly as possible, or if you’ve already thrown it away, simply wrap a piece of plastic wrap around the top and secure with a rubber band. There are also stoppers and other wine-saver systems that can be used to save wine for later consumption. You can also repurpose this wine for cooking as the taste begins to change.

Store opened white wines in the refrigerator. If you have a fridge that you use less often, you may want to store whites there instead of a highly trafficked fridge that is opened frequently. This will minimize the light from being let in and tem- perature changes that can occur when the refrigerator door is opened regularly, factors that both cause the wine to spoil faster. Red wines you can leave out in a relatively cool area of your kitchen, as long as they are kept away from light and heat. You may also keep most dessert wines in the fridge, although ports can be left out with the other reds. The amount of time dessert wines will keep once they are opened varies by type, but as a general rule, consume within 1-3 weeks.

BASIC TIPS FOR LONGTERM WINE STORAGE

• Store Out of the Light.
  • Always store unopened bottles of wine away from sunlight and fluorescent lights, preferably in the dark. UV rays can penetrate the glass and cause adverse affects to the wine’s flavors over time. Dark colored bottles resist some damage, but clear and light colored bottles may need extra care to protect from light. You can wrap in a cloth or place in a box if they cannot be completely removed from the light.
• Keep Temperature Cool and Controlled.
  • Wine is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature. If it is kept too hot (over 65 degrees F) for long amounts of time, it can spoil and may taste stewed or “raisiny”. Extreme fluctuations in temperature (too warm or cold) can cause the wine to expand and shrink, respectively moving the cork in or out of the bottle. Air will be drawn inside and around the cork, oxidizing and prematurely aging the wine. Wine that could have been stored for years could be ruined within as little as a few months. Most wine experts advise that wine be stored between 50-60 degrees F on average. Whites can be kept about 5 degrees cooler than reds if you have the space to differentiate them.
• Maintain Some Humidity
  • Wine corks will dry out if the air does not have some degree of humidity where the wine is stored. When the cork is dry, it will shrink or crack and allow oxygen to enter and spoil the wine. Conversely, too much humidity can also encourage mold to grow in the wine. There is not a consensus among wine experts about the exact levels of humidity to maintain; however, a good rule of thumb is to keep wine storage areas above 50% humidity.
• Store Wine on its Side
  • Wine should ideally be stored horizontally or at a 45 degree angle to maintain contact between the cork and the wine. This will keep the cork moist and prevent it from drying out. Sparkling wines and Champagne, on the other hand, are best stored in an upright position because of the gas that is trapped inside; the internal pressure protects from oxygen getting inside.

Options for Storage There are many options for home storage that fit both the average consumer and the avid collector. Following the storage tips above, you may want to dedicate an area of a room, or set up a closet “cellar” where conditions will vary less. If you live in a very hot or cold environment, a wine refrigerator may be a good option to invest in. It will keep temperature and humidity constant and some also have separate temperature zones for the different wines as well. Other options include setting up a full-sized cellar if you are interested in building a wine collection or using wine storage facilities outside of your home. They are especially designed for the task of wine storage and aging, as well as provide security for expensive bottles.

There are many options for home storage that fit both the average consumer and the avid collector. Following the storage tips above, you may want to dedicate an area of a room, or set up a closet “cellar” where conditions will vary less. If you live in a very hot or cold environment, a wine refrigerator may be a good option to invest in. It will keep temperature and humidity constant and some also have separate temperature zones for the different wines as well. Other options include setting up a full-sized cellar if you are interested in building a wine collection or using wine storage facilities outside of your home. They are especially designed for the task of wine storage and aging, as well as provide security for expensive bottles.

Most wines are meant to be consumed in a short amount of time after purchase. Typically whites can be stored for 2-4 years, although Chardonnay can hold up for longer (some up to 20 years). Reds can be kept longer, 2-10 years on average, when stored properly. Some vintages are meant to mature and be collected for long term aging.

When you buy young bottles of wines or receive a wine club release, the bottles are full of bright flavors and ready to enjoy now, but can also be stored for a later date. And, now that you are storage savvy, you’ll know exactly how long and where to do so. Enjoy!