Having invested possibly hundreds of dollars in your latest bottle of vintage
wine (ah well, we can but dream), the next important decision is where to store
this prized possession?
The main issue when it comes to storing wine is that it
needs to be maintained at a cool temperature of between 12 and 16 degrees
Celsius. Shoved under the
bed won't do.
Many modern wines do not need to be aged over a great period
of time; therefore extensive cellars are often unnecessary. Having said this,
if you have the
time, space and resource to excavate a cellar, your wine will surely benefit.
A purpose
built cellar is not normally an option for most households and so suitable
alternatives must be explored. Ideal areas for storage include a corner
of a garage, garden shed, an unused fireplace or a cupboard that is against
an outside wall.
Follow these criteria when you store your wine
Wherever you choose
to store your wine, a few basic criteria are worth keeping in mind. Choose
an area that is less likely to be subjected to fluctuating temperatures caused
by household heating systems. Wines benefit from being kept in dark conditions.
Although this is not always practical, wine should certainly be stored in an
area that is not
exposed
it to direct sunlight.
As a final point, always store your wine bottles
on their side. Corks are designed to be kept moist, so that they remain airtight
and do not crumble
when a corkscrew
is inserted. Bear in mind that some wines do not benefit from being stored
at all. If you have poor or no storage facilities available, consider purchasing
wine
that matures
quickly such as most white wines or new technology reds or, possibly,
a new Beaujolais.
Move wine as little as possible once it has been placed
in storage, unless of course it is being moved into a glass!
If you have a particularly special wine collection, it may be worth engaging
a specialist company to store your wine for you (Oops, I'm dreaming
again). Good storage has been recognized as vital for many wines and as such,
many companies
now provide storage facilities. Of course, this does not come cheap
and
is best reserved for those very special bottles or for those experts
who are
considering
selling their wine on, at a future date.
Since Neil Best first investigated the wine history he's been recording his
findings at http://www.goodglug.com.
This article is part of the free Good Glug Wine Appreciation Course. Visit http://www.goodglug.com/free-wine-course.php now
and get your
