The ideal temperature to store wines is between 55?F and 58?F (13?C?15?C). However, any temperature between 40??65?F (5??18?C) will suffice as long as it remains constant. The degree and the speed of the temperature change are critical. A gradual change of a few degrees between summer and winter won't matter. The same change each day will harm your wines by ageing them too rapidly.
The most important rule when storing wine is to avoid large temperature changes or fluctuations. You'll notice damage of this nature straight away from the sticky deposit that often forms around the capsule. Over time the continual expansion and contraction of the wine will damage the 'integrity' of the cork. It's like having the cork pulled in and out again every day. When this happens, minute quantities of wine may be pushed out along the edge of the cork (between the cork and the bottle neck) allowing air to seep back in. Once the air is in contact with your wine the irreversible process of oxidation begins and your wine is ruined. At 55? to 58?F the wine will age properly, enabling it to fully develop. Higher temperatures will age wine more rapidly and cooler temperatures will slow down the ageing process. Irreversible damage will be done if your wine is kept at a temperature above 82?F for even a month. At 55?F wines will age slowly and develop great complexity and you will never have to worry about them.
Every wine you buy should be placed in your cellar. Even if you are planning on opening the wine shortly after purchase it will benefit from resting to recover from the shock of traveling. Before any bottle makes it into your cellar you need to consider the treatment it received before you acquired it. Every wine lover knows that heat damages wine but how many of us take care to protect our wine at every stage? For example, you buy wine at a shop or winery, but leave it in your hot car all afternoon. You get it home to your temperature- controlled cellar, but by then you may have already cooked it. Remember that high temperatures can result in undesirable chemical reactions that would not normally take place.
Chris Miley is the author of the very popular book "How To Build And Start Your Own Wine Cellar" which includes complete instructions for building your own basement wine cellar plus many other ideas for wine storage areas in your home, from a cupboard under the stairs to a temperature controlled wine cabinet. Go to http://www.winecellarsecrets.com to find out more about building your own wine cellar.
quick home cleaning Arlington Heights ..Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a... Read More
There are three methods that may be used to make... Read More
The Jacobs Creek Brand of wines have taken the world... Read More
Decanting is a strange word to many people. Some do... Read More
Whisky syndicates are groups of private owners and many have... Read More
The Carignane grape variety is one of the most widely... Read More
Champagne is without question the finest sparkling wine made in... Read More
Cooking wine is sort of a holdover from prohibition. People... Read More
Chardonnay is the world's most popular white wine grape. Chardonnay... Read More
Gewurztraminer is an excellent and unique grape variety that is... Read More
The most famous cool climates for Riesling wine are in... Read More
Red Wine, Heart Disease, Hungry Sharks and Knights in Shining... Read More
If you like the taste of a good brew, then... Read More
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the relationship between the amount... Read More
First off let me say that I am in no... Read More
During the holiday season, most of us are in a... Read More
Barbera is a wine grape variety from Monferrato in Piemonte,... Read More
Cabernet Sauvignon is the grape responsible for the wines of... Read More
What is wine?Wine has been made for centuries from just... Read More
For the average wine consumer, there is a plethora of... Read More
As your love and knowledge of wine grows, it is... Read More
Wine tasting is properly known as 'Wine Degustation'. It is... Read More
Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest... Read More
One of the great joys of wine is to be... Read More
Red wine spills can be a disaster whether they occur... Read More
disinfecting cleaning services Wilmette ..Mirror tinted contact lenses have become a topic of interest... Read More
Wine Tasting Component I: LookThe first step you have to... Read More
The future of the Australian wine industry will be shaped... Read More
I must admit, that for many of us, walking into... Read More
Red Wine, Heart Disease, Hungry Sharks and Knights in Shining... Read More
Sauvignon Blanc wine is crisp, high in acidity and light-... Read More
Most branded products and agricultural products are not commodities. However... Read More
Merlot wine is a rich, soft wine with the flavor... Read More
Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all... Read More
Cooking wine is sort of a holdover from prohibition. People... Read More
Whisky syndicates are groups of private owners and many have... Read More
Many people are intimidated by the task of selecting wine... Read More
Champagne is without question the finest sparkling wine made in... Read More
Keeping a wine bottle sealed is probably the most important... Read More
Have you ever seen those stiff upper-lipped types doing a... Read More
First off let me say that I am in no... Read More
The majority of private owners of whisky casks are looking... Read More
Although details are understandably sketchy, it is believed that, around... Read More
Like many mixed drinks, the Old Fashioned has a number... Read More
Correct wine etiquette makes the tasting experience much more enjoyable.... Read More
Here is a quick summary of the different French wine... Read More
So, you find yourself having been invited to a dinner... Read More
The Jacobs Creek Brand of wines have taken the world... Read More
People have been drinking fermented beverages since the dawn of... Read More
There are three methods that may be used to make... Read More
Wine & Spirits |