Appropriate Wine-Storage Environment

Wine has traditionally been stored in caves and cellars because these venues provide stable, cool temperatures, darkness and humidity. These factors have become accepted as necessary to the long-term storage of wine. Short term storage conditions are less stringent but still important, especially temperature.

Long Term Storage

Temperature
Store wine at the optimal temperature of 55°F. Wine can be stored at colder temperatures (as long as it doesn’t freeze) but should not be stored at temperatures above 65°F. It is also important to maintain a consistent temperature. When temperatures vary markedly, the wine expands and contracts causing it to breathe through the cork. This has the potential to exposing the wine to outside air which causes oxidation.

Humidity
Store wine in 70% or higher humidity. High humidity storage conditions help to keep the cork moist. There is a school of thought that says that storing horizontal such that the wine covers the cork is all that is necessary, but studies have shown that wine stored in high humidity was preserved better than wine stored in low humidity.

Light
Store wine away from light. Prolonged exposure to light will cause significant damage. White wine being more sensitive to light than red. Most colored glass wine bottles provide some protection from UV light, but not enough to protect the wine over an extended period.

Vibration
Store wine away from vibration. Constant vibration prevents the sediment from settling in a red wine.

Position
Store wine on its side such that the cork is covered by the wine. This keeps the cork moist, preventing shrinkage and air intrusion.

Short Term Storage

Temperature
Store wine between 5 and 10 degrees cooler than serving temperature. Even short term exposure to temperatures above 80°F can damage the wine.

Humidity
Short term storage in low humidity conditions should not harm the wine.
Light
Wine should never be stored in direct sunlight. Short term exposure to indirect light should not be harmful.

Vibration
Since short term storage implies near-term consumption, the wine should be stored away from vibration which so the sediments will settle. Older red wines should be stored upright for 24 hours prior to consumption to allow the sediments to settle to the bottom of the bottle.

Position
In general it is preferable to store wine horizontally to keep the cork moist. However, short term upright storage should not harm the wine.