Last Updated on January 15, 2022 by Tom
Cabernet Sauvignon wine comes from Bordeaux, France, made from a small fruit and thick skin. The wine produced often has aromas of black currant, green pepper, and cedar, with strong tannins, full and heavy taste, and has the excellent aging ability. So, how to store Cabernet Sauvignon after opening?
Cabernet Sauvignon Storage
Wine storage is not about temperature; it’s about humidity and space.
Cabernet sauvignon can be stored more or less anywhere as long as these two elements are controlled, but the ideal situation is a cool (but not cold), dark place with even humidity.
The more variables that can be controlled, the more conditions for storing wine will be perfect. Ideal temperature for storing cabernet sauvignon ranges from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit with an ideal relative humidity of 70 percent. These conditions should be maintained throughout the year and never waver more than five degrees in either direction.
A basement cellar with moderate temperatures and low humidity makes an acceptable location for storing cabernet sauvignon, but so does a dark closet or cabinet in a cool room. An area with a consistent temperature is more important than the actual degree.
A wine refrigerator, wine cooler or small cabinet can be used to maintain ideal conditions without taking up a large amount of space. Using one of these small appliances will also protect the cork from drying out so that it maintains its seal and prevents oxidation from occurring.
A cellar is the best storage option for wines that are intended to age several years, but cabernet sauvignon doesn’t need to age very long before being enjoyed. If the wine will not be consumed within two months after being purchased, store it in a cool place with even humidity rather than a humid area with extreme temperatures.
It is possible to recondition a wine that has been improperly stored by putting it in a humid area with slightly higher temperatures for several days.
The refrigerator is not an ideal location to store cabernet sauvignon since the humidity can fluctuate, but if no other option is available, make sure the fridge maintains the same temperature and the doors aren’t opened too often.
The best way to find out where to store cabernet sauvignon when there are multiple options is to keep it in its original box or storage container until a proper place is settled upon. If possible, remove from these containers only when they’re going to be consumed since removing them deteriorates the condition of the cork and exposes the wine to more light and air.
Cabernet sauvignon is best stored on its side rather than upright to prevent the cork from drying out. If there are any questions or concerns about where cabernet sauvignon is being stored, contact a professional wine storage company for advice based on the area’s humidity levels and temperature fluctuations.
How To Store Cabernet Sauvignon?
Avoid light exposure
Sunlight is a major problem for long-term storage. In response to UV rays in sunlight that can reduce or tend to ripen wines aged in bottles, some wine merchants are turning to tinted glass bottles. It is like putting “sunglasses” on the wine.
Maybe the light we use in our homes does not harm the wine. But in the long run, it can discolor your wine labels. We also need to know that incandescent lamps are safer than fluorescent lamps because fluorescent lamps emit some slight ultraviolet rays.
Maintain proper humidity
The ideal humidity for wine storage is 70%. If it is too dry, the cork will lack moisture, causing air to flow back into it and damage the quality of the wine. Therefore, it is safest to keep the humidity at 50%-80%.
Put a bowl of water in the place where the wine is stored to maintain the humidity of the environment. The humidity should also be balanced. If the surface is too wet, it will cause mildew on the cork.
Tilt the wine
When we store wine, we should place the wine at an angle to keep the humidity of the cork and prevent the odor from entering. However, if you plan to taste this wine early, you do not need to tilt it. Please store it directly on the shelf. It will not cause damage to your wine.
Avoid wine vibration
We all know that long-term vibration can speed up the chemical reaction of the liquid and damage the wine. Therefore, some collectors are concerned whether the slight vibration of the appliance will also have some effect on the wine. So, we have not had concrete confirmation. However, when we store wine, we should choose places with less vibration.
How To Store Cabernet Sauvignon After Opening
Place in a good storage environment
Temperature is a crucial link in the wine storage process. The ideal storage temperature for aged Cabernet Sauvignon is between 12.7 to 18.3 degrees Celsius.
You must maintain the humidity at 50% to 80%. Also, if your wine is shipping to you, it is better to let it “rest” in a stable environment for a few days before drinking.
Place it vertically for at least 8 hours
Before drinking, we recommend placing your wine vertically for at least 8 hours. It allows sediment to settle to the bottom of the bottle without affecting drinking.
However, sediment is not a signal of spoilage. This phenomenon occurs in wines with a high age or a long storage time. It is a normal phenomenon.
Use the Ah-So corkscrew to open the wine bottle
As the wine ages, the corks of aged Cabernet Sauvignon continue to age and become fragile. When opening it, it will be broken accidentally. The wood chips will naturally fall to the original pure in the liquor, affecting the quality of the wine.
You can use the Ah-So bottle opener, insert the iron piece slowly along the gap between the wine cork and the bottle, clamp the entire cork, and drag out the cork while gently rotating.
Choose a wine glass with a wider mouth and a larger belly for drinking
Aged Cabernet Sauvignon is full-bodied and has a complex aroma. So, it is best to use a red wine glass with a wider mouth and a larger belly. It can better highlight its aroma and flavor.
In addition, when holding the cup, pay attention to holding the hand on the handle of the cup. So, it cannot transfer the temperature of the hand to the wine and destroy the original flavor.
Pair with high-quality meat
As Cabernet Sauvignon ages, the tannins in the wine will gradually become round and supple, making Cabernet Sauvignon a good match for many simple and rich dishes, such as braised beef, roast veal, and lamb.
Cabernet Sauvignon wines become perfect over time, but they are also fragile. So, it requires your careful care. Do not let your careless behavior ruin a bottle of excellent wine.
How Long Can Cabernet Sauvignon Be Stored
How long can Cabernet Sauvignon be stored? If the temperature is only a few degrees higher, it is not a big problem as long as you drink it in time within 3-5 years of release.
High temperature is the natural enemy of wine. If the temperature is higher than 20°C, it will speed up the aging of wine. And the best storage temperature of the wine is 10°C – 20°C (18°C is the perfect temperature.
If you plan to consume your wine within a few months, it is best to store your wine in a household refrigerator. However, this method is not suitable for the long-term storage of wine. The safe storage of perishable food in the refrigerator is below 10°C.
If the wine is stored in such an environment for a long time, the cork will lack moisture, causing air to flow back into it. This action will damage the flavor of the wine. Also, do not keep the wine in a place where it is prone to freezing. If the liquid freezes, the volume will increase, and the cork may be flushed out due to air pressure.
How to store Cabernet Sauvignon after opening? You must maintain the stability of the wine temperature. If the liquid expands and contracts with heat for a long time, it is easy to cause the cork to be flushed out because of the pressure of the gas, or liquid leakage occurs.
Conclusion
The best way to store wine is in a cool, dark place. If you don’t have the room or budget for a home cellar, purchase an affordable wine fridge from your favorite retailer and place it somewhere that has easy access but isn’t too warm (like near the oven).
There are also various types of storage containers available on the market if you’re looking for something more substantial than just storing bottles upright in a cabinet. Do what works best with your space and consider investing in some type of refrigerated unit because temperature affects how well wines age.
To find out which specific type of container will work best for you, consult our guide on “How To Store Cabernet Sauvignon.”
