First we should look at a brief snapshot of the history of wine storage. The first record of wine storage dates back to pre-historic Georgia circa 6,000 BC. Kvervis (also translated as gvevri) were large beeswax coated earthenware vessels that were buried in the ground.
Aside from being the oldest storage vessels discovered to date, they were used in every stage of wine production from grape crushing to aging. Due to their large size, Kvervis were not used for transportation.
As we fast forward through 8,000 years, other major methods used to store wine during various periods of history included standardized clay containers from the Bronze Age known as “Amphora” which came in many sizes and could also be used for transportation.
The next major vessel innovation was oak barrels perfected by the Romans.
The Celts were the inventors of the wooden barrel, but after conquering the Gauls (58 -50 BC), the Romans adopted their wooden barrels bound together with metal hoops.
Glass wine bottles were first used in the 1600s and became more prominent in the seventeenth century with the use of cork stoppers. Still, the use of wine bottles was not common in the nineteenth century and in Britain it was illegal to sell wine by the bottle from 1636 until 1860.
As we jump to present time in history several questions have presented themselves.
Can I store wine in a refrigerator?
Standard refrigeration is not appropriate for storing and aging wine. It is designed to remove heat and moisture, making it dry, thus causing the cork to shrink and the wine to oxidize. Using it to chill is fine, but it is too cold for long-term storage. The vibration it produces is also quite heavy, as manufactures of fridges do not dampen the effects of the compressor turning on and off. That said, there are wine refrigerators available exclusively for storing wine that work wonderfully.
Can wine be stored in a cold cellar or basement?
If the temperature is below 65 degrees and above 50 degrees, fairly constant year round, and has little or no fluctuation, then you might have manageable conditions for storage.
Insulating the room will also help. To keep a constant temperature it is wise to install a cooling unit. Any drastic changes in temperature can harm the wine. Keep the cellar well ventilated and do not store strong smelling items with the wine, as it may permeate the cork and affect the taste of the wine. Do some google searches on home wine cellars and you will see some amazing custom home wine cellars...one can dream!
What is a good temperature to store wine?
The optimum cellar temperature of 12 C (55 F) with minimal fluctuation either way is ideal for both short -term storage and long -term aging of all types of wines. Try to keep the space dark, free from light sources, heat and vibrating machinery.
Why does wine need environmental storage?
Wine is a living organism that grows and matures, so controlling the environment in which it is stored is very important. Keeping your wines free of light, heat, vibration, strong odors and fluctuations in temperature and humidity, will ensure that your wines will age gracefully. Not only will proper storage protect your investment, it is crucial in the development of certain aromas, flavors and characteristics of wines.
Can white wines be stored a different temperature?
All wines can actually be stored at the same temperature.
The white wine when served may need to be chilled down to a more favorable temperature. White wines can be susceptible to heat and sharp changes in temperature more so than red wine.
What is the best way to store wine bottles?
Store wine bottles on their side/laying down. This will keep the corks moist and prevent them from shrinking and allowing air in, that in turn will oxidize the wine. There are different types of racking (wood and metal) that will accomplish this and also help you organize your bottles.
To summarize, wine requires a balance of temperature and humidity to age properly. Remember proper wine storage is easy to accomplish given the right knowledge!
