Store Your Wine Perfectly with These Tips

Wine is a living, natural product, and like anything made from organic matter, it changes and evolves. That’s why it’s so sensitive to things like temperature and light. If you want your bottles to stay in great shape and be just as enjoyable years down the road, learning how to store them properly is key unless, of course, you’re into sipping vinegar.

The best part? You don’t necessarily need a custom-built wine cellar to do it right. Fortunately, we at XYZ Storage understand the importance of storing your wine perfectly so here are some basic wine storage rules you’ll want to follow to make sure your favourite bottles are at their absolute best. So when you’re finally ready to serve wine at your next dinner party.

How to Store Wine

Here’s the thing: only a small percentage of fine wines get better with long-term aging. Most wines are made to be enjoyed within a few years of release. So, unless you’re planning to invest in wines specifically for aging, installing a professional-grade wine cellar probably isn’t worth it – that’s a whole other level of wine enthusiasm.

For the rest of us, keeping your wine safe and drinkable is pretty simple. Just follow a few easy tips, and your bottles will be ready to enjoy when you are.

1. Temperature

The golden rule for storing wine? Keep it at a consistent temperature. Wine and heat don’t mix –anything above 21°C can make your wine age faster than you’d like, and if it gets too hot, you might end up with “cooked” wine that tastes dull and flat. Not exactly what you were hoping for, right?

If you live somewhere with four distinct seasons, like Ontario, and no central air, you might want to think about investing in a wine fridge or wine cooler. These handy gadgets keep both red and white wine happy at around 13°C. However, if you’re looking to store sparkling wine, a regular fridge is just fine. Sparkling wines are best served at 6°C to 8°C, which is closer in temperature to a regular kitchen fridge.

No wine fridge? Not necessarily a problem. Just make sure your bottles stay away from any spots where the temperature fluctuates or gets too warm, like next to the furnace or oven. Beyond the risk of your wine’s flavours being “cooked,” temperature swings can cause the liquid inside the bottle to expand and contract, which might push the cork out or lead to leaks. A cool basement corner or a stable pantry shelf can work just fine to keep your wine fresh. And don’t forget about open bottles; always pop them in the fridge to preserve wine – even red wine.

2. Light

UV rays are no friend to wine, as they can break down the delicate molecules that give it flavour and character. This can degrade and prematurely age your wine. That’s why a lot of fine wines come in dark glass wine bottles. It’s like a pair of sunglasses for your wine, shielding it from those harmful rays.

If your wine rack is sitting in front of a sunny window where it gets hit with direct light, it’s time for a move. Find a shadier spot in the room, or better yet, stash your bottles in a pantry or closet to keep them safe from the sun.

3. Refrigeration

Let’s be clear –we’re not talking about a wine fridge here. We’re talking about your kitchen fridge.

Storing your wine in your regular kitchen fridge works fine for a couple of months, but it’s not a great long-term storage solution. Most fridges are set below 7°C to keep food fresh, and that chilly, dry air can dry out corks over time. Once the cork dries, air can sneak in and mess with your wine, which is not exactly ideal.

Oh, and whatever you do, don’t let your wine freeze. Leaving it in an unheated garage during winter or forgetting it in the freezer could spell disaster. If the liquid starts to freeze, it can expand enough to push the cork out.

4. Humidity

Wine should be stored at around 70% humidity to keep the corks from drying out and letting air ruin the wine. While that can happen, it’s pretty rare unless you live in an extremely dry place, like a desert, or super cold conditions. And if you’re planning to age bottles for over 10 years, you’re probably looking at professional storage anyway.

For most people, a humidity range of 50% to 80% is just fine. If it’s too dry, you can place a small pan of water nearby to boost the humidity. On the flip side, overly damp spaces can lead to mold—not great for labels, even if the wine itself stays sealed and safe. If that’s a problem, a dehumidifier can help keep things balanced.

5. Sideways Bottles

Keep your wine stored horizontally, which helps keep corks moist, which is super important for long-term storage. A dried-out cork can let air sneak in and age your wine before its time.

However, if you’re planning to drink those bottles soon or they have alternative closures like screwcaps, glass, or plastic corks, it’s fine to store them upright. That said, using a wine rack can still help save space and keep things organized!

FAQs

What’s the best temperature for storing wine?

The best temperature for storing red and white wine is around 13’C.

How long can I store wine before it spoils?

If stored the right way and left unopened, most white wines can last 1 – 2 years past their recommended drinking window, reds about 2 – 3 years, and cooking wines an impressive 3 – 5 years. Fine wines? Those are in a league of their own and can often be enjoyed for decades.

Can I store wine in the fridge for the long term?

Probably not the best idea. Your regular kitchen fridge is fine for storing wine for a couple of months, but it’s not great for the long haul. Most fridges are set below 7°C to keep food fresh, and that cold, dry air can dry out corks over time. Once that happens, air can sneak in and ruin your wine.

Does light affect wine storage?

Absolutely. UV rays are bad news for wine—they can break down the delicate molecules that give it flavour and character, causing it to degrade and age before its time.

Should I rotate wine bottles during storage?

Nope, there’s no need to rotate your wine bottles during storage. It doesn’t do anything to protect their quality or condition.

How XYZ Storage Can Help

Are you unfortunately cursed with a lack of storage space in your home? Or do you live in a place with no air conditioning to get you through Ontario’s hot summers? If so, let XYZ Storage help you protect your bottles of wine.

Our XYZ Storage facilities offer temperature-controlled units that are perfect for storing sensitive items like furniture, electronics, artwork, wine, medical supplies, and more.  With locations across Toronto and the GTA, including Toronto Downtown, Toronto Midtown, Toronto West, Etobicoke, and Scarborough, we make storage convenient and accessible. Stop by any of our locations and our self-storage experts will be happy to help you find the perfect unit. Let us make storage simple and stress-free!