How to Store Wine Properly

Since most of us simply buy our wine from the grocery store, without much idea how to store it properly, what do you do when you buy that great bottle of wine? The fastest way to ruin a great bottle of wine(any wine) is to store it incorrectly. Storing your wine properly will help to ensure the fullest possible flavor, whether you are drinking it later today or years from now.

Before Opening-

• Keep it in the dark- Store all wines away from light, especially direct sunlight and fluorescent fixtures. UV rays can cause wine to be "light struck" giving them an unpleasant smell. Darker bottles help, but UV rays will eventually penetrate the glass and ruin the wine over time.
• Store corked wines on their sides- The cork is meant to be kept wet to help keep the bottle sealed properly. If you store them upright for a long amount of time the cork will dry out and air will eventually get to the wine, spoiling it. This does NOT effect the wines with screw caps or the new "green" wines that are in the cardboard "bottles".
• Keep the temperature constant- Wine storage temperatures should never be higher than 75 degrees, because they will start to oxidize. Temperatures should remain as constant as possible. The greater the changes in temperature the more a wine will suffer. The temperature should never fluctuate more than 5 degrees a year, especially with red wines, which suffer more due to temperature related problems than white wines.
• Do NOT move it- Try and store your wines so they are easily reached without disturbing the other wines. Try not to move the bottles at all once stored, until ready to drink.
• Isolate your wines- Remember that wine "breathes" so do not store it with anything that has a strong odor to it, as it could permeate through the cork over time and taint the wine. A well ventilated area will also help protect the wine.
• Adjust temperature BEFORE serving- Different wines taste best at different temperatures, which may vary from the way they were stored. Before serving allow each wine to rise or fall to the appropriate serving temperature:

                    Blush, Rose and Dry White Wines:  46-57 degrees

                    Sparkling Wines and Champagnes:  43-47 degrees

                    Light Bodied Red Wines:                  54-57 degrees

                    Full Bodied Red Wines:                    59-66 degrees

After Opening- 

• Store open White wines in the refrigerator. This will help extend the life of the open bottle between 3-5 days. Make sure to cork the bottle tightly to reduce their exposure to air.
• Leave Red wines out. As long as it is corked and stored in a dark place you shouldn't have to worry about it going bad for a few days.
• Never store your wines next to fruits, vegetables or cheese, since this could potentially cause the wine to mold.