Storing wine: flexible solutions for wine storage
Storing wine This is important to note
The cultivation and enjoyment of wine has been an integral part of the local culture since the times when Roman legions were still roaming the Austrian countryside. It is therefore no wonder that Austria is one of the world’s leaders in per capita consumption of wine. Especially in Vienna, where vineyards and cozy wine taverns dominate the cityscape, fermented grape juice enjoys a particularly high level of affection.
It is therefore not surprising that a stock of wines is a matter of course for many Austrians. Be it to have the right drop ready for every occasion or as an increasingly popular investment. Some wines, especially red wines, should even be stored for a longer period of time so that they can really develop their taste. With the adequate storage of wine, however, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Wine prefers it a little cooler
Wine is best stored away from light, in a cool place and in a lying position. Especially good for storage are wine cellars, as well as special wine refrigerators.
The greatest enemy of wine is probably undisputedly a high ambient temperature . Already at temperatures above 21 degrees, the aging process in the bottle accelerates and the expensive bottle of Burgundy quickly becomes undrinkable swill. Since liquids expand during freezing, too low temperatures should of course also be avoided. It stores ideally between 7 and 18 degrees Celsius.
Wine and UV light do not get along
In addition to heat, natural UV light, i.e. sunlight, also leads to a faster ripening process. This also explains the black or green coloring of many wine bottles as protection against this phenomenon. Dark rooms are therefore the ideal place to store wine.
Wine bottles with cork stopper
In addition to the correct temperature and the avoidance of sunlight, the aspect of the humidity but this only applies to wines with cork stoppers. If the humidity is too low, there is a risk that the cork will dry out and air will enter the bottle. This leads to oxidation of the wine and eventually to inedibility. Very high humidity, on the contrary, there is a risk of mold growth, which is equally undesirable. Humidity of about 50-80% is considered appropriate among experts. Also to be noted for bottles with natural corks is the storage in a lying position. The reason is the same as for humidity, namely to prevent the cork from drying out.
Where is the best place to store wine?
In view of the points mentioned above, it is no wonder that wine cellars have established themselves as the best method for storing red wine, white wine, rosé & co. They combine all the essential features of an ideal storage room and are also probably the most luxurious way to store wine.
As very few people, especially in urban areas, are lucky enough to enjoy such a luxury, special wine fridges have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, these often have the disadvantage of high power consumption.
Simple windowless rooms with a constant relative temperature below 20 degrees Celsius also work well as storage space.
Wine storage at STORE ROOM
If you are planning to store a large quantity of wine bottles, a storage unit with a self-storage provider such as STORE ROOM also offers ideal conditions for longer storage periods.
If you follow these few but important points, nothing will stand in the way of a long life for your fine wines. However, it should be noted that not every wine is equally suitable for longer storage periods. It is therefore advisable to find out about the shelf life of your wine in advance. If your wine is not particularly suitable for storage, there is no need to worry – after all, it is made to be enjoyed.