How To Store (And Age) Wine At Home

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How To Store Wine At Home

Why proper wine storage matters

When stored correctly, wine can improve with age, gaining depth, complexity and increasing in value.

Stored incorrectly? Well, wine can go bad – fast. Even expensive bottles can be ruined by too much heat, light, oxygen or vibration… which isn’t ideal.

But don’t worry - you don’t need a sprawling underground cellar, complete with a spiral staircase and bespoke air conditioning to preserve your bottles. Just follow these simple tips and your wine will stay in great shape – whether they’re everyday favourites, or wines you’re saving for a special occasion.

Keeping wine fresh once it's opened

Once you’ve enjoyed a glass or two, you can store the rest of the bottle in the fridge for a few days.

That’s because once a bottle is opened, air gets in and the wine begins to oxidise. Putting the cork back in and keeping it chilled will slow down this process.

Red and white wine lasts between 3 and 5 days
Sparkling wines lasts between 1 and 3 days
Fortified wine lasts up to 28 days

Top tip: Always store open bottes standing upright – this stops any wine from seeping out.

How to store unopened bottles

1. Store your wine at a consistent temperature

Temperature is one of the most important things to consider when storing your wine. The sweet spot is usually between 10-16°C – though this varies between wine styles.

More importantly, you want to avoid temperature fluctuations (this can cause the cork to expand and contract, letting air in and oxidising the wine).

For best results store your wine in a dark, dry, cool space.

2. Avoid direct sunlight

When it comes to storing wine, consistency is key. Wines keep better when unbothered by fluctuations in light intensity and temperature. Store your wine away from direct sunlight – UV rays can degrade wine, affecting a wine’s delicate flavours and aromas.

3. Store bottles away from vibrations

You should keep your wine away from any sources vibration as it can affect your wine in two ways. Firstly, vibrations can disturb sediments in the wine and secondly, they can cause chemical reactions which mute your wine’s flavours.

We recommend storing your wine away from washing machines, bouncy floorboards and anywhere else vibrations may occur. Choose a still, quiet spot – the back of a cupboard or corner of a garage could work well.

4. Store bottles horizontally

If your bottle has a cork, you should store it horizontally – preferably on a wine rack or in a wine fridge. This stops the cork from drying out and shrinking which is essential for long-term storage.

Why? If a cork dries out, it allows air into the bottle which spoils the wine. This can cause a wine to mature early, or worse – turn to vinegar. Bottles with screw caps don’t need to be stored horizontally – but it’s often the most space-efficient way.

5. Watch humidity levels

Fluctuations in humidity can also impact a wine’s quality. You should ideally store your wine in a space that has 50-70% humidity. Too low, and you risk the cork drying out. Too high, and you risk mould or mildew which causes label damage.

Beyond the Basics: caring for Red vs White wines

Preserving red wines (where consistency is key)

Red wine is slightly more forgiving when it comes to storage… but consistency is still key.

If your bottle has a cork, be sure to store it horizontally. Depending on the style of the wine, the ideal temperature range for storage is generally between 10-16°C. Always keep the wine away from direct sunlight and other heat sources.

For age-worthy bottles, consider storing them in a dedicated dark cupboard or a wine fridge.

Once opened, red wine should be consumed within 3-5 days, and it's best to store it upright in a cool, dark place or the fridge to slow oxidation.

Preserving white wines (with some extra TLC)

Due to its delicate structure, white wine requires a little more TLC when it comes to storage.

Similar to red wine, you should store the bottle horizontally if it has a cork. However, the ideal temperature for white wine is cooler, ranging between 8-12°C. Always keep the wine in a dark, cool place.

If you are storing age-worthy whites, a wine fridge will be your best bet to maintain a consistent temperature. Once opened, white wine should also be consumed within 3-5 days, and stored upright in a fridge.