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Wine needs to be stored effectively to allow your wine to age slowly as well as maintain its quality. There is a range of factors that can affect your wine which is why it is important that you are aware of them in order to prevent them.
If you refrigerate your wine or store your wine in a cupboard, then you are most likely storing your wine incorrectly. This is because a fridge or cupboard doesn’t offer the correct storage conditions for your wine
The correct way to store your wine is either in a wine cooler or a wine cellar, however, this may not always be an option for some. If you are someone who still has the box that your wine came in and aren’t sure how to store it, then read on to find out.
Throughout this blog, we will be exploring how to store different types of wine, how long wine lasts in a box and much more!
How to Store White Wine
Depending on the type of wine determines how you store it. For example, white wines such as pinot grigio, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc should be stored in a cool, dark place and away from direct sunlight.
White wine is stored at a slightly cooler temperature compared to red wine. If you want your wine to stay fresh, it is recommended that you store your white wine at around 12 degrees. If you are storing a slightly richer white wine such as chardonnay, then you will be best storing it at a warmer temperature of around 7 to 12 degrees.
This is because warmer temperatures bring out the fruity flavours and aromas of your wine. However, sparkling wines such as Champagne and Prosecco are best stored at a temperature of around 8-10 degrees.
White wine needs to be stored at a warmer temperature than red wine because most white wines don’t contain as much alcohol or tannins compared to red wine.
How to Store Red Wine
Red wine is stored slightly differently compared to white wine. For example, rich red wines such as vintage port should be stored at a temperature of around 19 degrees. When storing your wine it is important to consider various factors such as the type of wine it is, how long and where you are planning on storing it.
Generally speaking, red wine should be stored at around 12-14 degrees. It is important that you store your wine in a place with the correct humidity and temperature to ensure that your wine ages slowly.
The best place to store your wine is either in a wine cooler or a wine cellar. This is because they offer the correct features for your wine in order to maintain the wine's quality and preservation. Wine is best stored on its side to keep the cork moist and prevent oxidation.
If the cork dries out, it will eventually shrink slightly, therefore allowing oxygen to seep into the wine. Minor exposure to oxygen can cause dull flavours and unpleasant aromas. It is important to prevent this in order to maintain the quality and life span of your wine.
What is Wine in a Box?
When we hear the term ‘wine in a box’, we automatically assume that it’s simply just wine inside a box. However, this is not the case. Wine in a box is technically wine in a bag in a box. Sounds confusing but it’s really quite simple.
This type of wine is a much cheaper alternative compared to wine in a bottle. It is also a good value for your money as you get a lot of wine in the box. The reason that boxed wine is cheaper, is because of the raw materials that are used to produce the box.
Although the packaging of this wine is made from cardboard, the quality of the wine isn’t compromised in any way shape or form. There are many advantages to boxed wine such as once opened, your wine can last up to six weeks.
Another positive of boxed wine is that it is good for the environment as it is easily recycled and shipped for a cheaper price, whereas bottles of wine are more expensive. You can get a variety of different types of wine in a box such as red box wine.
How Long Does Wine Last in a Box
Although storing your wine in a box has its advantages, it doesn’t last as long as storing your wine in a wine cooler or a wine cellar. It is recommended that you drink your boxed wines within six to eight months and don’t store them on top of the fridge to prevent your wine from going bad.
If you are storing your boxed wine in the fridge they only last up to 2 weeks. So if you are looking for a way to store your boxed wines for a long period of time, then we recommend that you keep your boxed wines away from the fridge.
You may be wondering why boxed wine expires much quicker than bottled wine, well it's simple. Boxed wine has an expiration date as it is more porous compared to glass. This type of storage method is not designed for ageing.
Choose Elite Wine For Your Wine Storage Needs
Here at Elite Wine, we offer a wide range of wine coolers for your wine. Whether you are after a freestanding wine cooler, under counter wine cooler or an integrated wine cooler, we have it all. Our wine cabinets are designed to maintain the correct storage environment for your wines.
In order to store your wine for long periods of time as well as maintain its quality, we strongly recommend that you invest in a wine cooler or a wine cellar. For more information on the wine coolers we offer, check out our wine cabinets section on our website.
Alternatively, contact us today at 0333 577 6466 or email us at info@elitefridges.co.uk. We also offer live chat so you can rest assured that our team is always ready to help!
