Last Updated on July 21, 2022 by Tom
With the improvement of people’s living standards, red wine is now on the table of ordinary people. Usually, everyone will buy some red wine and store it as a reception for friends.
But what are the requirements for sealed wine storage? How to store unopened red wine? How long can you keep red wine unopened? This article will discuss how to store unopened red wine with the optimal solutions.
How to Store Unopened Red Wine?
1). Buy a cellar
Some homes have basements. Most people think the basement is the best place to store wine. The basement has the advantage of storing wine more than the living room.
First, surface temperature changes can be conducted down to a depth of six meters. Therefore, a basement with a depth of fewer than 6 meters underground can effectively maintain a constant temperature. The vast majority of family basements are still affected by surface temperatures such as summer sunshine, winter snow and ice cover, and road heat conduction.
From the perspective of humidity, the basement is humid. Theoretically, it can meet the requirements of wine storage, as long as you pay attention to preventing mildew. Therefore, if you have the conditions, you can install an air conditioner or a wine cellar machine in the basement to adjust the temperature. It is more perfect for wine storage.
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2). Store in the kitchen
It is normal for any wine lover to store wine in the kitchen. The kitchen is often cooked and the smoke is everywhere. The clutter of the smell is as good as the refrigerator. Of course, if your kitchen never cooks with a fire, there are no smells and odors. The temperature is suitable, like a storage room, and you can still store wine.
3). Keep Refrigerated (short-term only)
Refrigerator is the most common place people used to preserve wine. While the refrigerator provides the low temperature needed for wine preservation, it is not a good place to store it.
First, a variety of foods are stored in the refrigerator, forming a small environment with a messy smell. Second, the refrigerator needs to be turned on frequently. The compressor is vibrating all year round which affects the wine and makes it unable to rest.
How long can you keep red wine unopened? The refrigerator is not a great place to store wine long-term. Of course, if it is a bottle of white wine or sparkling wine that is not intended for long-term storage, but is ready to be drunk in the refrigerator, there is no problem in storing it in the refrigerator.
4). Use the Balcony
Many wine lovers often stack complete boxes of wine on their balconies. On the balcony, the wine can be undisturbed for a long time. But this practice ignores the damage caused by temperature to the wine.
Usually, the temperature of the balcony varies. Warming up during the day, cooling down at night, hot in summer, and freezing in winter all make the wine on the balcony devastated as if it had gone through a sea of swords and fires. Therefore, for valuable wine, we do not recommend storing it on the balcony.
5). Display Wine Cabinet
Some drinking lovers build display wine cabinets at home. This kind of wine cabinet is beautiful. It can display collections. But from the perspective of wine preservation, the problem is relatively large.
First, the general wine bottle stands upright in the display wine cabinet. And the cork bottle seal has no contact with the wine liquid, which is in danger of drying out and losing its sealing effect.
Second, to watch the wine, the glass of the wine cabinet is transparent and colorless, and cannot block the illumination of the light. Only green and brown glass can better resist the effect of light and prevent the wine from being damaged by light. Some people even expose the love wine to the light of spotlights for a long time. It is not a wise move.
Points for Attention, Tips for Store Unopened Red Wine
1). Temperature
A big taboo for storing wine is high temperature. The wine will be rough, inelegant, and will become tasteless quickly. If the room temperature for a month reaches 29 degrees, it has been out of control. The temperature of 10 degrees will double the aging of the wine.
The temperature change should not exceed five degrees throughout the year. If the temperature rises rapidly within six hours, the wine will age quickly and eventually deteriorate. Besides, the sealing effect of the cork will be lost, leading to oxidation.
See: How to Set Wine Cooler Temperature for your Store and Serve Wine
2). Humidity
The humidity of about 70% is the best for wine storage. A wet environment can easily cause the cork and wine label (referred to as wine label) to rot. A dry surface can make the cork dry and lose its elasticity. It cannot seal the bottle.
Air conditioners or refrigerators can reduce humidity. So, if humidity is too low, you can use a water basin with damp sand or wood chips to improve cellar humidity.
Unopened wine can be stored in a cellar, wine cabinet, basement, or in a dark place at home where the temperature is relatively constant, such as under a bed, in a wardrobe, or a shady corner of a wall.
3). Light
The influence of sunlight on the storage of red wine is crucial. The UV rays will penetrate the wine. The red wine will mature in advance, and its quality will decrease accordingly.
Although the design of the wine bottle is also to prevent ultraviolet rays from passing through, direct exposure to red wine is unfavorable for the storage of red wine, after all.
4). Avoid Vibration
Long-term vibration of red wine will cause chemical reactions in the wine bottle. Its quality will be affected accordingly. The shaking when carrying red wine will not impact it.
The strong shaking and vibration will make the red wine deteriorate. Violent shaking can cause precipitation in long-aged wines, affecting the taste of red wines.
5). Ventilation
The wine will absorb the surrounding flavors into the bottle like a sponge. It is best to have a little ventilation in the cellar to prevent the musty smell. Strong flavors such as onions and garlic should also be avoided with wine.
Store Unopened Red Wine FAQs
- How long can I store unopened red wine?
Ideally, you should drink your red wine within a year of purchase. However, many unopened red wines can be stored for 2-3 years without any significant loss in quality.
2. How should I store my unopened red wine?
To maintain optimal flavor and quality, store your red wine in a cool, dark place with consistent temperature and humidity. A wine cellar or wine fridge is ideal, but a cool, dark closet can also work well.
3. What happens if I store my red wine for too long?
If you store your red wine for too long, it may begin to develop off-flavors and aromas. The wine may also become darker in color and lose some of its fruitiness. However, these changes are usually not significant enough to make the wine undrinkable.
4. Can I still drink my red wine if it has been stored for too long?
Yes, you can still drink your red wine if it has been stored for too long. However, the flavor and quality of the wine may not be as good as it could be.
5. What is the best way to store opened red wine?
To maintain optimal flavor and quality, store your opened red wine in a cool, dark place with consistent temperature and humidity. A wine cellar or wine fridge is ideal, but a cool, dark closet can also work well.
6. How long does opened red wine last?
Ideally, you should drink your opened red wine within 3-5 days. However, many opened red wines will still be fresh and flavorful for up to a week.
7. What happens if I don’t store my opened red wine properly?
If you don’t store your opened red wine properly, it may begin to develop off-flavors and aromas. The wine may also become darker in color and lose some of its fruitiness. However, these changes are usually not significant enough to make the wine undrinkable.
8. Can I still drink my red wine if it has been stored improperly?
Yes, you can still drink your red wine if it has been stored improperly. However, the flavor and quality of the wine may not be as good as it could be.
Conclusion on How to Store Unopened Red Wine
Storing unopened red wine may seem daunting, but if you follow these simple tips, you can ensure that your wine will be ready to drink when you are. By keeping your wine in a cool, dark place and rotating it every few months, you can enjoy your favorite bottle of red for years to come. Have you tried any of these methods for storing unopened red wine? Let us know in the comments below.
