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Storing Wine in Your Wine Cooler
Make sure that the bottles are lying on their sides. This ensures that the wine inside is in contact
with the cork, which stops the cork from drying out, shrinking, letting air in and spoiling the
wine. After a bottle has been opened, the wine comes into contact with air which will start to
oxidise the wine. This generally occurs on the wine’s contact surface, leaving the remaining wine
in good condition. By leaving your bottle standing, you minimise the surface area of the wine
which is in contact with air.
If you’re serving white, rose or sparkling wine, chill it lightly for at least 2 hours in the wine cooler
before serving. Most reds should be served at room temperature, or in the case of lighter reds
like Beaujolais, very slightly chilled.
Opened wine will remain in good condition for up to 2 days (for delicate whites), or 3 days (for
rich reds), as long as the bottle is resealed and stored in your wine cooler. Special stoppers that
keep sparkling wine and champagne bubbling for 1 or 2 days after opening can be bought at
most good wine shops. When storing leftover wine, attempt to minimise the oxidation process
of the wine. You can use a ‘vacuum’ which pumps out the air from the bottle leaving it semi-
vacuum. The wine should last for about two weeks.
However, if it is a good quality wine and you intend to finish it within one week, all you’ll need to
do is to replace the cork and leave it standing in your wine cooler.
Different wines are best kept at different temperatures.
Serving Temperatures
Wine Type
°F
°C
Rose Wine
48-54
9-12
White Wine
48-58
9-14
Sherry (Light)
48-58
9-14
Red Wine
57-64
13-18
Fortified Wine
57-64
13-18
Sherry (Dark)
57-64
13-18
Filling Your Wine Cooler
When filling your wine cooler the greater the amount of cans and bottles placed inside the wine
cooler from room temperature, the longer it will take to cool them to the desired temperature.
You may wish to temporarily adjust the temperature to a lower setting to speed up the cooling
process. If you do this remember to return it to the previous setting once the drinks have
reached the required temperature in order to conserve energy.
Keep the Door Closed
To prevent cold air from escaping, limit the number of times your open the door.
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