How do I store my wine correctly? How do I know if I should store my wine? Whether you should really store your wine or drink it immediately depends, in addition to thirst and a craving for a particular wine, on the following important criteria:
Personal taste
Do you generally like wines that have a few years under their belt? In principle, wines become rounder over time. In white wine, the acidity breaks down, and in red wine, the tannin compounds link together, making the wine softer and more velvety. Now it's up to you to ask yourself whether you are even looking for this taste or if you need something fresher and livelier?
Suitable storage location
Find out if you have a suitable storage location for wine. Wine is a very sensitive product and has high demands on its storage location for optimal quality preservation.
Temperature
Aromas in general are very temperature-sensitive. If the ambient temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius, the aromas may dissipate faster. However, if the wine is only to be stored for about 12 months, a temperature up to 20 degrees is fine. The longer the wine is to be stored for ripening, the cooler it should be. The optimal temperature for safe and good wine storage is between 10 and 12 degrees.
Now, on the one hand, it is important to store the wine cool. But it is much more important to keep the wine's temperature constant. Especially due to temperature fluctuations, the finest aroma is lost, and the wine ages faster.
Humidity
It is actually more the cork than the wine that requires stable humidity. If the air is too dry, the cork can also dry out, become brittle and porous, and the wine spoils. If the air is too humid, mold can form on the cork and also spoil the wine.
How can you find out the humidity? Very simply with a hygrometer. The normal indoor humidity in Germany is around 40-60%. A cork needs a humidity of 45% and more for maximum elasticity. For a storage period of up to three years, a moister room air is therefore sufficient. For a long storage period, we recommend up to 70/80% humidity.
Position
The storage position depends on the type of closure of the wine. If the bottle is corked, the wine should definitely be stored horizontally. This keeps the cork moist from the inside and forms a reliable aroma barrier. For screw caps and glass stoppers, the wine can also be stored upright.
Light
As with coffee and spices: the more light shines on a product, the faster the aromas decompose. The classic wine cellar is therefore actually best suited for light-protected storage of the fine drops.
Vibrations and shocks
In red wines, after prolonged storage, a small sediment forms from microscopic suspended particles - this is called a deposit. This deposit is fine to form, but it should not settle and be stirred up again. Therefore, vibration-free storage is recommended: away from washing machines, dryers, heating systems, and anything that generates and transmits vibrations. Ideally: in a wine rack that stands firmly and does not wobble.
Odors
It is well known that wine breathes even before the bottles are opened. Over time, even the strongest odor can penetrate the bottle through the cork. Therefore: keep it away from strong-smelling foods such as bananas, garlic, coffee, or onions. Likewise, the cork unfortunately does not keep chemical agents away from the wine: do not store cleaners, oils, and protective agents near the wine. Ideally: a closed cabinet where the wine can rest in odorless peace.
Quality
The most important criterion is the quality of the wine and thus indirectly also the price. Again, exceptions confirm the rule. The following three categories are therefore a rough guide and are intended to provide orientation:
Entry-level
Fresh, young and light white, rosé and red wines with a price range of approx. 7-15€. These wines usually benefit from a lively, youthful character. Our recommendation: drink quickly and do not store for too long, otherwise the fresh character may suffer.
Mid-range
Solid wines with a price range of approx. 15-25€ are in the mid-range. Here, red wines tend to have a few more years of aging potential, but you can also let white wines sit for a while. Here we recommend looking for the vintage on the label and calculating +3 years for white wines and +5 years for red wines for storage time.
Top wines
Wines from 25€ upwards generally have great storage potential. The quality is significantly influenced by the vineyard's location, the vintage, the harvest, and the vinification. Our recommendation: The high quality means that storing for over 10 years is like a beauty treatment for the wine. So dare to let the wines sit for a few years.
How does my wine develop?
Get a slightly larger quantity (at least 6 bottles) of a good wine and taste one bottle, for example, every 6 months. Make notes on how you rate parameters such as acidity, tannin, smell, and taste. You will see, it is exciting what development a wine can undergo especially while "doing nothing."
