Storing wine can be very simple, but it can also go dreadfully wrong if the critical issues pertaining to location, temperature, humidity, lighting and insulation are ignored.

Wine storage is important simply because it is the storage of the wine that will determine how well the wine will age and how well the wine will satisfy the palate. Proper wine storage will not only preserve the integrity of the wine, but it will protect important labelling and by extension, protect the collector’s investment in wine.

How to lay your wine

Usually, wines are stored horizontally. Laying the wine bottle horizontally keeps the liquid touching the cork which is important if the cork is to remain hydrated. Keeping the cork hydrated protects the cork from shrinking and reduces the possibility of air entering the wine.

When laying the wines for storage, it is best to have the labels facing upwards.  This allows the person looking for the wine to see exactly which wine is available without having to agitate the wine itself.  On settling, the sediments will form on the side of the bottle without the label. This can assist in making the decision whether or not to serve the wine directly from the bottle, or use a decanter. Lastly, storing wines with the labels up will reduce the probability of damage to the label. Wines for investment purposes are more marketable when the labels are as good as new.

Where wines are packaged in wooden cases or other packaging, they should be stored accordingly. For investment purposes, original packaging is best kept to add value to the wine when the time arrives for trading.

Champagnes and sparkling wines can be stored upright. Wine naturally produces carbon dioxide; the carbon dioxide will eventually form a ring at the neck of the bottle and serves as protection for the wine from air.  Due to the fact that oxygen is lighter than carbon dioxide, any oxygen entering the bottle through whatever means will not enter the wine, but will instead, rest on top of the carbon dioxide.

Cork versus Stelvin

Using corks to seal wines has been around for some time.  Storing wines with corks require much care. Aside from laying the wines on the side to keep the cork hydrated, the air in the wine cellar must be kept clean and odour free to avoid transference of unpleasant odours into the wine by way of the cork.  Low humidity levels in a cellar will result in the cork drying out and can result in the wine becoming oxidized.

Stelvin or screw-cap seals for wines are also common. Wines with Stelvin are easier to handle in storage. The wines may be stored upright or horizontally in the cellar. In this case, the wine collector does not have to contend with corks drying out. In addition, leakage and transfer of odour issues are eliminated with the use of Stelvin.

Regular bottle rotation

Proper inventory recording in wine storage is also critical.  Keeping records of when wines were cellared and for how long the cellaring should take place will assist in keeping the wine cellar organized.

Investing in wines whether for personal consumption or future trade can be interesting and fun. Proper cellaring is however important if these liquid assets are to be worth their weight in gold.