Many wines improve with age. Also, many elite wines will tend to increase their value over time. In either situation, holding and storing these wines to maintain their quality and taste is a fundamental requirement.
Wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma region wineries can be an educational and entertaining experience. Visitors participating in wine-tasting sessions here will sometimes become enamored with certain wines and choose to purchase some to share with friends and associates at home.
Improper storage can damage your wines over time, and in some cases, even quickly, altering the characteristics and rendering the wine less compelling or possibly undrinkable.
Here are some tips for storing your valued wines at home to prevent deterioration.
Maintain the Proper Temperature
Store wines in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature between 45° and 65°F, with 53° to 57°F being ideal. Fluctuations in temperature can cause the wine to age prematurely and lead to off flavors and aromas.
Keep It in the Dark
As mentioned, the environment for successful wine storage should be dark. Exposing wine to direct sunlight’s UV rays can damage the wine and cause it to age prematurely. Find a location away from windows and other sources of direct sunlight.
Control the Humidity
Wine prefers a humid environment to prevent the corks from drying out, resulting in oxidation and spoilage. The ideal humidity level for wine storage is 70%.
Store Horizontally
Wine racking is designed to store bottles on their sides. The primary purpose is to keep the corks moistened so they do not dry out and begin to contract or split. A dried-out cork will admit air into the bottle, causing oxidation that will spoil the wine.
Keep Separate from Strong Odors
Strong odors can drastically affect your wine’s flavor and aroma. Wines “breathe” through their corks and tend to absorb odors from the air. They must be stored only in a well-ventilated area in an odor-free environment. Never store wine near foods with strong smells or close to chemicals or perfumes.
Keep Away from Excessive Vibration
Vibration disturbs the sediment in the wine and impacts its quality and taste. Excessive vibration can cause complex chemical reactions in the wine that causes a decrease in tartaric and succinic acids and a reduction in esters that can dull the wine’s flavor. Always store wine bottles in a vibration-free environment, like a wine fridge, to keep them stable.
Always Monitor Your Wine Inventory
Maintain a log of when you purchased each wine, details about each, and any specific instructions from the winemaker. Maintain a record of when the wine should be at its peak quality and avoid letting it go bad.
Winery Tours with Platypus Wine Tours
Come join us for a fun and compelling journey through the Napa Valley or the Sonoma Wine Country. Travel in a comfortable, well-equipped vehicle and leave the appointment-making and driving to us.
As you travel worry-free from one backroad winery to the next, you and your partner or group of friends can enjoy the amazing scenery while discovering insights and information about this wonderful area and about winemaking from the expert commentary provided by your Tour Host.
To reserve your place for your next wine tasting in Napa, CA, visit the Platypus Wine Tours website.
Or, if you have questions or specific requests about an upcoming Napa wine tasting, you can inquire about these by phoning Platypus Wine Tours at (707)-253-2723.
