There are proper and improper ways to store your wines, as you surely already know if you're studying about and purchasing high-quality wines. The ability to preserve a wine's flavour and scent can frequently be achieved by designing or using the appropriate storage method. Yet making the incorrect decision could permanently harm the wine.
While learning how to store wine generally, here are a few guidelines to remember:
• Keep it cool, keep it dark, and keep it calm.
• Go for a location that is at least somewhat humid (ideally about 70%).
• Avoid being outside when it's below 45° and above 70°.
• Keep the bottle flat if your wine has a natural cork so that the cork stays moist.
Proper storage is crucial for preserving the quality and taste of any wine, but when it comes to white wines, there are some specific guidelines to keep in mind. While all wines benefit from the right storage conditions, the ideal temperature and length of storage can vary depending on the type of wine. Factors like temperature, humidity, and light exposure can all affect a wine's performance after storage. So, if you're interested in learning how to properly store white wine, it's important to keep a few key tips and facts in mind. While refrigeration is often touted as the best option for storing white wine, it's not always the case, as extreme temperatures can damage the wine's flavour profile. So, how can you ensure that your white wine lasts as long as possible? Let's explore some useful tips and strategies for storing white wine properly.
What Should I Do With Open White Wines?
How long an open white wine can be kept in the refrigerator is frequently determined by the type of wine. White wines with a heavier body, such as oaked Chardonnay or Muscat, may oxidise more quickly than lighter wines. This is due to the fact that they usually receive higher oxygen exposure when maturing before bottling. Because of the complexity of their flavour profiles, they require stable storage conditions in order to taste as excellent as they should. If you use a vacuum-sealed cork, full-bodied white wines will keep fresher for longer after opening and can be stored in the refrigerator for three to five days.
Lighter whites can also be kept in the fridge for about the same amount of time after opening. They can, however, keep in the fridge for about a week if they are well-wrapped. Despite being fresh, the wine's flavour may have slightly changed. This is due to the wine having been exposed to oxygen despite being sealed, which can influence the flavour and crispness of the wine. The process of oxidation involves exposing the wine to oxygen and starting chemical reactions. These processes turn alcohol into acetaldehyde, altering the wine's hue, flavour, and aroma.
How Should I Store Unopened White Wines?
The good news is that because it hasn't been exposed to oxygen, white wine that hasn't been opened lasts far longer than wine that has. Although it varies by wine type, white wine typically has a shorter shelf life than red wine. It's usually a good idea to look at the "best by" date on a wine bottle to get an idea of how long the wine will keep. White wine, whether light or full-bodied, can be stored in the refrigerator for years after its best-by date. You might not need to keep your wine in the refrigerator, though. While storing wine, there are many things to think about, but the most important ones are temperature, UV radiation, humidity, and vibrations.
However, you don't have to discard your opened bottle of white wine. After a couple of glasses, you're unsure of what to do with the remaining wine but don't want to throw it out either. We've all been there. The first thing to think about is if the wine has a shelf life or if it ages over time. Avoid keeping wine in a conventional refrigerator for longer than a week if you intend to store it there after opening. Regular refrigerators aren't the ideal place for your wine, despite what many people think. But wine fridges are important because they take into account all of the crucial storage aspects and make sure your wine stays fresh for a longer period of time.
Be careful to store your wine vertically after it has been opened. This will stop any spills and let the sediment collect at the bottom. Unopened wine should, however, always be kept vertically to preserve the cork's moisture and stop oxygen from penetrating the bottle. Some undesirable flavours may also result from storing your wine in a conventional refrigerator. After all, you don't want your wine to taste like the vegetables you keep in the fridge, like sprouts or onions.
