Storing Wine ProperlyIf you like to collect wines, one of the first things you need to consider is how you're going to store all those fine wines. The first thing to know is, the refrigerator is not the place to store your wines.
A refrigerator's temperature can vary quite a bit, especially when you're opening and closing the door frequently during meal preparation. Wines need to be stored at a constant temperature, and the varying temperature of a refrigerator can damage those fine wines. Additionally, a refrigerator experiences minor vibrations -- not enough for you to notice on a daily basis, but enough to damage the delicate aroma of your wines.
Also, wine should always be stored horizontally, to keep the cork moist. Otherwise, the cork can dry out and shrink, which will allow air into the bottle and ruin the wine.
Wines can be affected not only by temperature, but also by humidity and by strong odors nearby. You'll want a wine cooler or cellar that be placed away from direct sunlight and in an area where it won't be exposed to humidity or strong odors.
Before buying a wine coolor or cellar, be sure to take measurements of the space or spaces you are considering for storage, to ensure that you have enough room. Also check to make sure you have an electrical supply close enough. A garage is almost certainly not the best location for your wine cooler. Neither is your utility room right next to the washing machine, which will vibrate and damage your wine. A countertop cooler in your kitchen would serve nicely, as long as you don't locate it right next to the oven, and as long as it's not in direct sunlight.
You need to consider how many bottles you will need to store, as well, and purchase a wine cooler with sufficient capacity. You will probably find that you end up needing at least twice the capacity of your original estimate, so if you have the room, you might do best to go ahead and start with a larger cooler than you think you need. You'll grow into it faster than you think!
A proper wine cooler will store your wines in the correct position and maintain a constant temperature to store and age your wines perfectly.
|
