Constant temperature: the basis of wine storage

Wines should ideally be stored at a single temperature. Namely, at 12 to 14 °C. If it is cooler, the wines mature more slowly. If it is warmer, the maturing process can be accelerated. In the worst case, the taste can even change. The same applies if the temperatures fluctuate too much. For example, if the temperature in the wine cellar is 4°C in winter and 20°C in summer, or if the wines are stored right next to a radiator. Then the fine wine can quickly into a sour something with a strong sherry note. That doesn't have to be the case.

But you don't have to install air conditioning in your wine cellar to monitor the temperature meticulously. As long as the temperature fluctuations are within reason, a wine can withstand them. These fluctuations should just not be too strong and too fast. 8°C today, 20° tomorrow – not even the most robust of plants can withstand that in the long run. If it's 11°C in winter and 15°C in summer, then that's fine. However, any temperatures above 20°C are actually critical in the long run. You know what we mean: the sherry note.

Storing wine: the ideal humidity

We all know the feeling: as soon as we turn on the heating in autumn, the first sore throats are usually not far away. Because the dry warmth causes our mucous membranes to dry out quickly. The same thing happens to wine bottles sealed with a natural cork when the humidity in the wine cellar is too low. Despite the capsule that nestles against the bottleneck, the cork can dry out over the years. There is a risk that the cork will shrink and too much wine will evaporate, or that the precious liquid will oxidise on contact with oxygen. Even if the cork is moistened from the inside by the wine itself. That is why a humidity level between 70 and 75% is ideal for storing wine for a long time.

It should not be drier. However, it is okay if it is more humid. However, if the humidity is too high, mould may form on the bottleneck and on the label. This is usually harmless. But a good label is nicer to see than a bin soiled one.

Adequate ventilation when storing wine

Is it a bit draughty in your wine cellar? Great, then the air will circulate by itself. This is a real treat for the wines stored there. Because this way, unpleasant odours don't have a chance of sticking to the label, capsule or even cork. This also applies to pollutants. In addition, good ventilation helps to ensure that the cellar does not become too humid. This in turn reduces the risk of condensation and thus also the formation of mould.

However, you do not need to install a fan or a sophisticated ventilation system in your wine cellar. It is enough to open the door to the wine cellar regularly for a few minutes. If your cellar has a window, you can also briefly create a draught – provided that the temperatures remain fairly constant.

Excellent light protection is a must when storing wine

Please do not underestimate the destructive power of UV rays when storing wine. If a bottle is exposed to the sun for too long, sulphur compounds form in the wine – and the so-called light taste develops. What may sound harmless is actually a disaster: after opening, the wine smells like a very, very strong cheese – usually combined with a musty drain or a general putrid smell. It's not nice. 

By the way: conventional LEDs also emit UV rays. But don't panic! If you don't leave the light on in your wine cellar for days at a time, your vinophile treasures will be fine. However, if you want to be on the safe side, install Neolux LEDs, which emit almost no UV light. And if your wine cellar has a window, simply darken it.

Pssst: Guaranteed peace and quiet during wine storage

Do you live right next to a very busy road? If so, we have some bad news for you. The constant traffic will expose your wines in the cellar to micro-vibrations. In other words, the wines will vibrate slightly. This may not sound too bad at first, but the result is that the sediments that form in the bottle over the years of storage will swirl around slightly. And that can have a negative effect on the taste. Incidentally, this also happens when the washing machine is spinning in the same room. Or when you are listening to music at full volume right next door and the bass is turned up to maximum.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to protect wines completely from micro-vibrations. However, they can be reduced. For example, by storing wines in their original wooden boxes whenever possible. These are now usually designed to protect against vibrations. If that is possible, you can also store your valuable wines in polystyrene boxes or fill boxes with polystyrene to store your wines in. This also helps to minimise vibrations.

Storing wine without a cellar

Not everyone has the luxury of a wine cellar. Either you don't have a cellar of your own, or the one you do have is too warm. In either case, you have to create one. Ideally, you should have a wine storage cabinet. This looks like a wine fridge, but has only one temperature zone. You can also be sure that there is not only vibration protection, but that the glass door is also provided with a UV filter. Temperature and humidity can be set manually, and there is usually also automatic ventilation. This gives you the perfect wine cellar in a smaller format.

If you have just started collecting wine and are still wary of such a major investment, there are other alternatives. For example, you can store wine boxes under your bed. The bedroom is usually the coolest room in an apartment – with the most constant temperature. And it is dark under the bed. So a few important things for proper wine storage are already in place. If you don't have enough space, you can also ask your favourite restaurant if you can rent a small area in their wine cellar. In addition, more and more self-storage facilities are also offering wine storage. From a single compartment to an entire room, anything is possible here.

Which leaves us with just one more question to answer on the subject of storing wine properly.

The million-dollar question: should wine be stored standing up or lying down?

We bet you just answered the question with ‘lying down’ in your mind, and in principle you are right. This is because the cork cannot dry out. Of course, wine bottles with screw caps are an exception. These can be stored standing up without any problems.

However, there is one exception with corks: please store bottles of sparkling wine upright. The pressure in the bottle automatically moistens the cork from the inside. In addition, long-term studies in Champagne have shown that sparkling wines stored upright are less likely to be affected by cork taint than those stored on their sides. That's good to know, too.