Wine Storage

Proper Wine Storage

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The expression “the cellar makes the wine” is as old as it is true.

The temperature, humidity and hygiene of the cellar all contribute towards the final quality of the wine. The cellar must obey the following criteria:

Room temperature between 15º C (59F) and 20º C (68F), without great thermal variation, during the day and throughout the year.

Humidity level between 40% and 70%.

The cellar must be free of insects and rodents. This does not include spiders, as they are excellent insect predators.

The cellars must not have chemically treated wood.

The cellars must be free of all odors, especially moldy/musty smells.  Chemical products, such as paint or cleaning products, should not be kept in the cellar. Cork closures are an effective barrier to off aromas entering the wine from the cellar, but other packaging options are not as effective a barrier. 

During the maturation of wine, bottles must be stored horizontally. However, wine stored in cases for transportation can be stored vertically provided the storage is only for a relatively short period of time. Under these circumstances, the wine bottle has sufficient humidity to keep the bottom end of the cork moist, retaining the cork’s excellent elastic property and an airtight seal.

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Properly storing wine with natural corks allows the wines to develop in very unique and pleasant ways. For long storage wines such as Bordeaux and Vintage Port, natural cork can protect and age the wine for up to 25 years.