You've definitely heard a wine connoisseur claim that "Aged wines are always better" when referring to wine. If you've ever had the good fortune to taste an aged wine, you know that there is a noticeable change in the flavour and quality. You might be wondering how to store wine while lounging at home.

There are 8 things you should do to properly store wine for a long time:

• Make Certain the Wine is Stood in a Dark Environment
• Wine should not be exposed to vibrations.
• Store wine on its side at all times.
• It should be between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Aim to maintain a humidity level of 50% to 70%.
• Do not keep wine in the refrigerator
• Ensure proper air circulation.
• Keep the vicinity tidy.

How to Store Wine for a Long Time

If you're prepared to give wine ageing a shot, you should be aware that it calls for a very particular setting. Wines have certain preferences for how and where they age, so you must be sure you are giving them a favourable environment. The eight steps for long-term wine storage are listed below.

1.Ascertain that the wine is positioned in a dark area.

Light, especially sunlight, is one of the most detrimental effects on wine. You must keep wine away from all sorts of light since light can deteriorate wine over time. Because a wine cellar will shield your wine from light, it is a great choice for wine storage.

However, you are not completely out of luck if you don't own or have access to a wine cellar. You can store your wine in a cold, dark place like a cellar or closet that doesn't have any windows but yet has the right humidity and temperature (which we shall cover in more detail in this post).

The last resort is to think about covering the wine with a cloth to ensure that light cannot penetrate it if you are unable to locate a place in your home that is devoid of light.

The bottle should be lightly covered in the cloth. You may also put the wine bottles inside a box and seal the top to block out any light.

2.Avoid Vibrations with the Wine

Keep your wine away from the washing machine, dryer, and any other form of vibrating machinery is the simplest way to state this, which may initially confuse you. This is because vibrations over time may cause your wine to deteriorate.

The easiest approach to prevent this is to be in a place that is dark and apart from any kind of machinery. Make sure the wine is kept far enough away from your washer and dryer in the basement so that it won't be disturbed by vibrations.

3.Always Store Wine on Its Side

It's possible that you've heard that it "doesn't matter" if wine is served on its side and that this is just a fiction. This is only accurate if you are keeping wine in storage for less than six months, though.

Always make sure that the wine bottles are being stored on their sides if you intend to age your wine for a lengthy time.

Why must they be stored for a long time on their side? The corks of wine bottles might dry out if they are not kept on their side. This causes the wine to oxidise quickly, which finally causes the wine to become bad.

The cork will always be moist when a wine bottle is stored on its side, which helps to eliminate this problem. The cork will experience some relief from the real dampness because of the humidity settings you've established.

Wine bottles should be stored on their sides to conserve space. This is particularly true in constrained spaces like a wine cellar beneath the kitchen countertop.

But you should always make sure that the bottles are reachable and that you don't have to relocate one to get to another. The bottles' general ageing process will benefit from being left alone as much as possible.

4. The optimal range of temperatures is 45 to 65 °F.

The area where your wine is being stored should be kept at a constant temperature of 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This process is much simpler if you choose a wine cellar, particularly one that is underground.

You should often check any type of area where you are storing your wines to ensure that the temperature is constantly chilly.

The consistency of the temperature is perhaps even more significant than the actual temperature. Ensure that the area's temperature is consistently between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit

Any amount higher or lower could harm the wine, including the following:

A wine that is left in a warm environment over 65 degrees Fahrenheit runs the danger of excessive oxidation, which can make the wine sour.

A wine won't be able to age correctly if it is kept at a temperature that is too low, such as below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. You also run the chance of the wine totally freezing, which could result in the cork completely popping out and ruining your wine.article.

There are some places in your house where the temperature can be just right, like a basement or a closet. However, if you are unable to locate a location where the temperature is consistently cool, you might want to think about getting a wine fridge. You can regulate the temperature and make sure nothing unfavourable occurs to your wine as it ages by using a wine cellar.

5. Ensure that the humidity level remains between 50% and 70%

Most locations won't have any trouble maintaining this humidity level. You must, however, watch that it doesn't go beyond or below 50%.

It is advised that you get a hygrometer so that you can check the humidity levels in the space where your wine is being stored.

If you discover that the humidity in your home is insufficient to allow wine to mature correctly, you might want to think about:

Buy a humidifier and install it in the space. This will guarantee that there is sufficient humidity to maintain the cork's happiness and the wine's appropriate ageing.

Sprinkle some water on the area. If you're having trouble getting to that 50% to 70% objective, the water is a reasonable, affordable solution. As it evaporates, it will be able to work as a humidifier.

Your wine will not succeed if the humidity levels are incorrect. This is due to the cork's potential to dry out if the humidity levels are too low over time.

On the other hand, the wine may start to mould if the humidity is too high. In either case, your wine would be damaged, so it is crucial to keep your environment between 50% and 70% humid.

6. Do not keep wine in the refrigerator

When someone says "wine fridge," some people might assume it's okay to keep wine in the refrigerator alongside other foods and drinks.

However, you should never do this because a refrigerator is made to keep things very cold, which prevents your wine from maturing as it should.

Cross-contamination is another key issue in this situation. Now, when you hear the term "cross-contamination," you probably picture hands that have just touched a type of raw meat before touching something different. But in this instance, flavour cross-contamination is possible.

Because of these factors, you shouldn't ever keep wine in a standard refrigerator. Choose a wine refrigerator instead that is intended specifically to keep and store your wine for extended ageing.

However, there are also larger models that may be installed in a basement. Many wine refrigerators are small enough to fit under a countertop.

 7. Verify that there is airflow

Make sure the space where your wine is being stored has sufficient air circulation as this is a terrific additional tip for long-term wine storage. utilising a built-in fan to circulate air is a simple way to achieve this if you're utilising a wine cellar or wine freezer.

Because the unit takes care of the issue, the owner won't have to worry about battling poor air circulation. But if you don't have a wine-specific device, you'll have to take care of the air circulation yourself.

A tiny fan may be a good addition to the space. But because this can harm your wine, you need to be sure that the air circulation isn't causing the temperatures to shift or drop too low.

In order to prevent mould from growing in your wine and to ensure that no overpowering odours impair the flavour of your wine, good air circulation is an essential component of long-term wine storage.

8. Keep the vicinity tidy 

Whether you use a wine-specific refrigerator or cellar, keeping your space clean shouldn't be disregarded. Your wine storage room is no different from any other place where pests, mould, unpleasant odours, spills, and other mishaps can occur.

Among the considerations are the following:

Regularly clean. To get rid of any debris or dust that may have gotten there, sweep the area or run a damp washcloth through it. Even though these items might not seem to be hazardous to the wine, it's preferable to keep the area tidy and free of obstructions for appropriate ageing.

Wine spills should be cleaned up. Accidents do occur. It's crucial to clear up any spills as soon as possible to ensure that there are no wine remnants soaking on the floor in the event that one of your bottles of wine leaks or is spilled by mistake.

Avoid using strong or fragrant cleaning products. Nobody wants to consume wine that has been contaminated by these cleaning agents since it will have an unpleasant taste and smell when it is poured.