11
STORINg THE WINE
As is known, wine can be stored for a long time. If stored in a suitable location,
white wines can be kept for approximately two years after bottling but they should
preferably be drunk within one year. Light red wines can be kept for up to two years,
while some full-bodied red wines can be kept for ten years and fortified wines can
even be kept for twenty years.
When you buy a bottle of wine, store it immediately in the cellar or other suitable
location.
Not everyone has an underground storage space that can be equipped as a wine
cellar, and only recently has a suitable, technological solution been found for the
traditional cellar. The wine cellar that you have purchased is a special appliance
that has been specifically designed to contain and store wines properly. Fruit,
vegetables or dairy products should not be stored inside the refrigerator, which
should be used only for your favorite bottles of wines. Consequently, even if you do
not have a cellar, you can still age and store any type of wine properly.
A cardinal rule for storing your favorite bottles of wine is to lay them on their side so
that the wine comes into contact with the cork. Many people believe that this causes
the classic “corked” odor, but the wine actually prevents the cork from drying out
thus ensuring that it still serves its purpose.
Do not place the bottles on the bottom of the appliance because this would prevent it
from defrosting properly and may ruin the labels on the bottles due to condensation
during defrosting.
The temperature is a critical factor during the entire life of the wine and is important
for its development in the bottle as it matures. For optimum storage, the temperature
should be kept constant between 8-12°C. It is important to avoid sudden, wide
fluctuations in temperature. If the temperature is too high, the liquid will expand and
the aging process of the wine will accelerate, while if it is too low (below 4-5°C) it
may cause the tartrates to precipitate, which spoils the appearance of the wine.
The humidity level is also crucial for optimum storage. An environment that is too
dry shrinks the cork, while an environment that is too damp causes molds and
harmful organisms to form. The relative humidity level should be between 50-70%.
