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For many of us, wine doesn’t hang around too long at home. But that doesn’t mean we should take any less care in the way we store it. Storing wine correctly is essential to preserving flavour and quality - too much sunlight or heat can quickly turn a great wine, bad.
To make sure your wine stays as good as when you bought it, we’ve put together our top tips on how to store your wine correctly.
Wine is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The ideal storage temperature is around 13°C, but more important than hitting the exact number is avoiding large temperature changes. Too much heat can prematurely age wine, while cold can slow development or even cause corks to push out. Avoid storing wine in places like kitchens or near radiators.
UV rays from sunlight can degrade wine over time, causing it to develop ‘off flavours’. Even artificial light can be harmful with prolonged exposure. That’s why many wines are bottled in dark glass - but it’s not enough to totally protect the wine. Store bottles in a dark place or in a closed cabinet to shield them from both natural and artificial light.
Bottles with cork closures should be stored horizontally. This keeps the cork moist by maintaining contact with the wine. A dry cork can shrink or crack, which allows air into the bottle, spoiling the wine. If your wine has a screw cap then you can keep it horizontal without risking affecting the wine.
The best spots for wine storage are cool and dark. A dedicated wine fridge or cellar is the dream but many of us will have to make do with a cupboard under the stairs or wardrobe. If many of your bottles don’t stay on your wine rack for more than a few months, keeping them in lighter areas shouldn’t bring any harm, but make sure you keep those with ageing potential tucked away safely.
At Majestic, we have everything from everyday wines to collector bottles that will only get better with age. If you’re looking to grow your cellar, take a look at our recommended bottles below or visit us in-store to speak to our experts.
This delicious Saint-Émilion-lookalike is made by Domaine Edmond de Rothschild Heritage – the same family behind some of Bordeaux’s most expensive wines. The family brings all the same expertise to this. It’s from Montagne-Saint-Émilion – one of the only Saint-Émilion satellite appellations with high enough quality wines to use the Saint-Émilion name. It's rich, savoury and full of both fresh and dried fruit flavours.
As this is made only in the best vintages, from a single organic plot, just 700 bottles are produced each year. Luckily, we bought the entire vintage just for you. If this had 'Puligny-Montrachet on the label, you'd be paying a three-figure sum. Its harmoniously integrated layers of cream, toasted oak, pineapple and mango won 91 Decanter points.
Coonawarra is home to some of Australia's most famous vineyards - and world famous Cabernet Sauvignon. 'The Cigar' is no exception. It's named after the unique shape of Coonawarra's famous ‘terra rossa’ soils, and – quite rightly – is one of Yalumba's most popular fine wines. It's a rich and powerful red with bold notes of blackberry, strawberry, mocha and violets with soft, rounded tannins.
So what’s a Riserva? In Chianti Classico, it must be aged for at least two years in oak barrels, plus three months in the bottle. It takes a lot of patience. But this means it’s more elegant and smooth. Taste the benefits in this release from Villa Antinori. It has aromas of wild cherries and cinnamon and a long, spicy finish.
Catena Alta is a collection of wines made in limited quantities from carefully selected vines in Catena’s best vineyards. These prized bottles are best enjoyed after 3 years of maturation and will continue to improve over at least a decade. Expect notes of black fruits, mocha and vanilla. Enjoy a generous glass with roasted pork, studded with cloves.
