Wines are an investment on many levels… besides money, the purchase of a special bottle may reflect the sentimentality of a memorable day (any day) at a special winery (STW) with special people (Russell and all the staff) or it may simply be a true find of flavors and value. Either way, your wines should be handled with the care they deserve to provide the promise of a great experience in the future when you finally remove the cork and reap the rewards of your patience.
As pleasing as it is to display a full wine rack in your home, the worst enemies of your treasures are light and temperature. An ideal “cellar” temperature is 45-55° F with a maximum of 65 degrees, keeping in mind that wine matures more quickly at higher temperatures than at lower. This means that although your contractor liked the looks of a wine rack over your kitchen refrigerator, it is not the appropriate spot. Sunlight and UV are just as damaging to wine as excessive heat but, luckily, are much easier to control. Simply finding a dark closet or spot under the stairs is your best bet for a good home for your cache.
Lastly, store your bottles on their sides to keep the corks moist and not allow air to seep into the bottle. Prior to serving, place them upright to allow any sediment, particularly in ultra-premium, unfiltered wines such as Stone’s Throw wines, to settle. When the time comes, enjoy the dividends of your investment.
Lisa
We are thrilled to be
featured on the Food Network®
Food Finds, Best of Food Finds,
Fine Living Network and
Wisconsin Foodie
