Wine Rack Store Blog

Wine was created to survive in primitive conditions. Let’s face it, those monks didn’t have central air! So today, I’d like to share some tips on how to store wine in 21st century. The ideal storage conditions for wine are much like the living conditions of any 15th century household: cool, dark, humid and still surroundings. While, storing wine is not brain surgery, there are a few simple, yet important, points to follow in order to ensure your wine has the best chance for long-term survival and optimal aging.

1) Chill Baby, Chill.

Optimal wine storage is right around 55°F, too much heat will wreak havoc on a bottle of wine. Keep your temperatures consistent, because extreme temperature fluctuations will also negatively impact a stored bottle of wine. Humidity is another factor to monitor when storing wine. A higher humidity level helps to keep the corks from shrinking and allowing oxygen in (shrinkage and O2 leakage results in oxidation of the wine...ummm..that’s bad!) Ideal humidity is between 65-75%.

2) Dim Those Lights

Many colored glass bottles of wine incorporate UV filters into the glass, but this doesn’t necessarily mean full UV protection. If a wine is in direct light for a period of time, it can affect the flavor of the wine drastically, as well as resulting in premature aging (Think sunscreen people! No one wants premature aging!). Typically, whites wines are the most vulnerable to light degradation, but reds will also suffer if they are subjected to too much light.

3) Relax. Stay Put.

Constant or consistent vibration will ruin a wine (you all read and studied my blog on bottle shock…right?!?). Keep your wine cozy and safe in a sturdy wine rack set on a sturdy floor, away from vibrating things such as refrigerators and hotel beds.

4) Lay Like Broccoli

Intentionally storing a wine on its side allows the cork to be in constant contact with the wine. This keeps the cork moist, which should prevent the cork from shrinking and allowing oxygen to sneak into the bottle. When oxygen comes into contact with wine the result is bad, very very bad- the wine starts to oxidize (think brown, rotten, vinegary, apple) and the aromas, flavors and color all begin to spoil.

Good thing the Wine Rack Store has so many options to help you store your wine, since caves are scarce these days. Because light and heat destroy wine quickly, make sure to protect your bottles by securing a cool, dark location to store your wine. If you do not have the room or funds for a wine cellar, basements are great storage facilities because they typically meet the cool and dark requirements. If a basement is not an option, then just keep the bottles in a cool closet.

Storing wine is simple, just remember to keep it chill, dim, still and on it’s side!

Labels: big bottle wine racks, bottle shock, wine rack store, wine storage

“Bottle shock” describes a phase new bottled wine must survive to reach it’s prime. Although I am a bit of a wine fiend, I only recently heard this term. I spent some time in the Horse Heaven Hills, tasting wine, and talking with vintner’s, when I first learned about this stage of wine-making.

In the scientific sense of the word, bottle shock, also called bottle sickness, is when wine takes on peculiar, not-necessarily-good flavors. These strange flavors make the wine taste less fruity, and make the presence of the alcohol more noticeable. It almost certainly occurs after bottling, and can occasionally happen after being subjected to frequent shaking or changes in temperature and/or lighting. So, please people, when you are angry, don't take it out on your wine or it will get "shaken wine syndrome".

Luckily, “bottle shock” is usually temporary. Doctor Wine Charm’s orders are a couple weeks of rest and relaxation in any of the specially designed wine resorts available at the Wine Rack Store. Each rack is designed for optimal storage, and protection. No “bottle shock” here!

Labels: bottle shock, doctor wine charms, horse heaven hills, wine rack