Wine, like most things, changes over time. However, wine is unusual in that it can improve with age. Most wine enthusiasts have at least a few bottles that they are saving up for a special occasion, or until the wine reaches its peak. It is important to remember that wine is a natural and living thing and how it is stored will affect how well and how quickly it ages.
Correct storage of wine is essential to preserve it in its best condition and to allow the wine to develop to its full potential. Aged wine develops greater complexity, as the chemical reactions that occur during ageing add new aromas and flavours to the wine. Here are some easy tips on the best way to store wine and should help you get the most from your collection.
- Store your wine horizontally to keep the cork from cracking or shrinking and allowing air to enter.
- Store wine at around 70 percent humidity to help keep the cork properly moistened (very low humidity dries it out; very high humidity encourages growth of mold and mildew).
- Do not store wine in a room that is too cold as it causes the cork to shrink and therefore lets in air. Do not store wine in a room that is too hot, as the wine will age faster than it should. Wine is best stored at any constant temperature within 5-18°C. Try to avoid exposing your wine to large temperature changes as it can damage the wine.
- Vibration interferes with aging and stirs up sediments so try to avoid storing your wine in an area that has Constant Vibration such as on top of a fridge. It is also good to avoid moving bottles until ready to be served.
- Try to Avoid storing your wine in Areas with Constant Light. Ultraviolet light can also give wine unpleasant odors and ruin the taste, so avoid storing wine near fluorescent or UV lighting.
- Try to stack wines on shelves made of plastic, wood, or cement as they resist temperature changes better than metal.
- Try to store wine with the labels upward. This makes it easier to see the sediment formed on the opposite side of the bottle when you open it.
- Note that when wine bottles are stored next to one another their temperatures remain stable.
- Store sparkling wines and dry whites and rosés near the floor where the temperature is cooler as they are more affected by temperature problems than red wines. You should also be aware that sparkling and white wines are the most sensitive to light.
- Do not store fruit, vegetables, cheeses or any other foods that are likely to ferment near the wine.
- It is a good idea to store wines in a location where you do not have to move them around to reach a specific bottle. Once a wine is laid down it should stay there until it is opened.
Author: Ian Hamblin Vinrac Wine Rack Suppliers Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Hamblin |
