Can Wine Be Stored at Room Temperature?
Creating the best storage environment for your wine is the first step towards protecting your collection.
If you have been doing your research on proper wine storage, you know that wine is a delicate substance that needs a cool consistent temperature, proper humidity, darkness, and stillness to properly age. In other words, you want to designate a space for wine that closely mimics a wine cave. Can wine be stored at room temperature? It depends on a few factors.
Ideal wine storage conditions are specific. Wine can safely be stored between 40 to 65◦F, with 55◦F being the ideal temperature. Large daily temperature swings greater than 1-3 degrees should be avoided as they can ruin your wine. The room should have a relative humidity around 70% which will keep the corks moist, therefore maintaining a tight seal and preventing oxidization. Wine should sit relatively still as it ages. When wine is moved, it can kick up the sediment inside the bottle which will affect the taste of the wine. UV rays and harsh light are wine’s enemies. White wines in particular are most susceptible to becoming “lightstruck”. When a wine has become “lightstruck” it will have an undesirable odor and smell.
Ideal wine storage conditions are specific. Wine can safely be stored between 40 to 65◦F, with 55◦F being the ideal temperature. Large daily temperature swings greater than 1-3 degrees should be avoided as they can ruin your wine. The room should have a relative humidity around 70% which will keep the corks moist, therefore maintaining a tight seal and preventing oxidization. Wine should sit relatively still as it ages. When wine is moved, it can kick up the sediment inside the bottle which will affect the taste of the wine. UV rays and harsh light are wine’s enemies. White wines in particular are most susceptible to becoming “lightstruck”. When a wine has become “lightstruck” it will have an undesirable odor and smell.
Vinotemp Modular Stainless Understairs Wine Cabinet
The Best Room for Your Wine
• Your basement may be the best place to store your wine if you are trying to find a passive storage solution (one that does not require a cellar cooling system or wine refrigerator). This is because most basements stay cool and damp naturally. Still, if you decide to keep your wine in the basement, you should measure the temperature and humidity of that space before moving in your wine. If your basement is not completely underground, try to place your wine along a wall that is. Adding wine racks in your basement will allow you to organize your wine, keep them clean, and prevent any mold that would occur if stacking bottles or keeping bottles inside cardboard boxes.
• An unused closet that does not share an exterior wall may be another option. Closets located under the stairs or more towards the middle of the house will work well. Like the basement, be sure to measure the temperature and humidity of the space before adding bottles. You are looking for cool and consistent temperature. Since the closet is above ground and not a sealed environment, it is still vulnerable to temperature swings within the house. Try to consume the bottles you are storing in the closet within six months.
• Avoid storing your wine in the kitchen, unless it is inside a controlled environment such as a wine refrigerator. Because the kitchen is busy and also where we cook, it is subject to a lot of heat and vibration, wine’s adversaries. Your kitchen refrigerator should also be avoided as it is too cold and dry for proper wine storage.
• The garage is another room to avoid unless you have a wine refrigerator or cabinet that is designed for garage or outdoor use. Most garages are not insulated and are subject to wild temperature fluctuations, not to mention exhaust and movement from motor vehicles.
Wine can be stored at room temperature if the room will remain a steady 55◦F with 70% humidity, little to no sunlight, and little to no foot traffic so the wine can rest undisturbed. When this is not possible, the best storage solution is a wine cellar, wine cabinet, or wine refrigerator. Not only do they keep your wine under the perfect conditions, but they are easy to use.
If you need guidance in selecting the best wine storage solution for you, please feel free to contact us with our Contact Form.
• An unused closet that does not share an exterior wall may be another option. Closets located under the stairs or more towards the middle of the house will work well. Like the basement, be sure to measure the temperature and humidity of the space before adding bottles. You are looking for cool and consistent temperature. Since the closet is above ground and not a sealed environment, it is still vulnerable to temperature swings within the house. Try to consume the bottles you are storing in the closet within six months.
• Avoid storing your wine in the kitchen, unless it is inside a controlled environment such as a wine refrigerator. Because the kitchen is busy and also where we cook, it is subject to a lot of heat and vibration, wine’s adversaries. Your kitchen refrigerator should also be avoided as it is too cold and dry for proper wine storage.
• The garage is another room to avoid unless you have a wine refrigerator or cabinet that is designed for garage or outdoor use. Most garages are not insulated and are subject to wild temperature fluctuations, not to mention exhaust and movement from motor vehicles.
Wine can be stored at room temperature if the room will remain a steady 55◦F with 70% humidity, little to no sunlight, and little to no foot traffic so the wine can rest undisturbed. When this is not possible, the best storage solution is a wine cellar, wine cabinet, or wine refrigerator. Not only do they keep your wine under the perfect conditions, but they are easy to use.
If you need guidance in selecting the best wine storage solution for you, please feel free to contact us with our Contact Form.
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