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If you are someone who enjoys drinking wine but is unsure of how to store it, then this blog is for you! Wine is a very popular beverage which most people enjoy. However, if stored incorrectly, wine can taste quite bitter and unpleasant.
So how exactly should you store your wine? It is recommended that you store your wine in either a wine cooler or a wine cellar. However, a cheaper alternative is to store your wine in a wine cupboard. But, are you best purchasing a wine cooler or wine wine cupboard? Read our blog to find out!
This is because both of these storage methods provide the correct environments to preserve your wine for longer. However, the type of storage method depends on the different types of wine.
For example, red wine should be stored at a temperature of around 12-14 degrees whereas white wine should be stored at a slightly warmer temperature of 8-12 degrees. But what is the reason behind this? Read on to find out!
How to Store Red Wine
Red wine is best stored in a cool dark place such as a wine cooler or a wine cellar. However, before you store your wine it is important to know the conditions and key features to store your wine correctly.
The first thing you need to take into consideration is storing your wine away from sunlight. The same goes for any type of wine no matter the type. Sunlight emits UV rays which can cause your wine to warm and produce an unpleasant smell.
So, if you want to maintain the flavour and aromas of your wine, you are best storing them in a cool dark place away from sunlight. This is especially important for certain white wines.
This is because white wines are normally stored in a clear glass bottle which makes them more susceptible to the effect of UV rays. Red wine needs to be stored at a steady temperature of around 12-14 degrees.
This is because red wine contains more tannins and alcohol compared to white wine. The ideal humidity level for your wine is around 55-70 percent. The reason for this is to prevent your wine's cork from drying out which can lead to oxidisation.
Red wine has more health benefits compared to white because it has a higher amount of certain vitamins and offers a good source of minerals. White wine, however, contains fewer calories.
Vineyards are used to pick wine grapes that are used to make your wine. Red grapes are used to produce red wines such as Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Although the ideal temperature for red wine is around 12-14 degrees, this can vary depending on the type of red wine. For example, full-bodied red wines have a recommended storage temperature of around 17 degrees.
This includes wines such as Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Darker full-bodied reds, on the other hand, should be stored at a warmer temperature of around 18-19 degrees. This included wines such as Shiraz and Port.
The richer and darker the wine, the higher the storage temperature should be. However, the lighter the wine, the cooler the temperature should be.
How to Store White Wine
When storing white wine, the storage methods are very similar compared to red wine. The only big difference when storing white wine is the temperature. This is because white wine needs to be stored at a slightly warmer temperature compared to red wine at around 8-12 degrees.
It is also important that you store your white wine in a cool dark place away from sunlight due to the same reasons as red wine. Storing your wine on their side is recommended to prevent the wine's cork from drying out.
By storing wine on their side you prevent your wine from becoming exposed to oxygen and it allows you to maintain the flavour and aromas of the wine. White wine is made by using white grapes.
For example, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are both produced by white grapes which gives the wine their flavours and aroma.
It is crucial that you are storing your wine at the correct humidity. This is because storing your wine at a low humidity level can cause oxidisation which leads to an unpleasant taste and mutes the aroma of the wine.
However, if you store your wine at a high humidity level, then this will likely cause mould and degradation of the labels and glue on your wine bottles over a period of time.
You should also avoid storing any type of wine in the fridge or a cupboard. This is because they do not offer the correct storage features to allow you to preserve your wine for a long time.
Should I Store Red and White Wines Separately?
To get the most out of your red wine and white wine as well as maintain its quality, then it is best to store your wine separately. However, sometimes this is not always possible. Whether it be down to a lack of storage space or simply down to the cost.
But, what if we were to tell you that there is a storage solution that can solve both of those problems in one? That's right, dual-wine coolers are the perfect solution to store your wine collection! A dual wine cooler is a wine cooler that offers separate temperature zones to allow you to store different types of wine in one wine cooler.
This is ideal as not only does it save you money, but it also allows you to be in control of the temperatures you want to store your wine. Dual wine coolers come in a variety of different sizes to fit seamlessly into your home.
If you have a small kitchen and are worried a wine cooler will take up too much space, worry no more. This is because we offer wine coolers that can fit under countertops to ensure that no extra space is being taken up.
Elite Wine
Here at Elite Wine, we offer a wide range of wine coolers suited to your home. From freestanding to integrated and built-in wine coolers, we have everything you need all in one place.
We offer a price match promise so if you find a better price elsewhere, let us know and we will do the rest! With over 500 reviews accompanied by outstanding ratings, we are a well-known trusted company. So you can rest assured that you are in safe hands!
For more information on the wine coolers we have to offer, contact us today at 0333 577 6466. Alternatively, email us at info@elitefridges.co.uk. We are more than happy to help!
