Wine storage is a field of expertise based primarily around chemistry, with an element of luck. Storage specifications vary, but there is one constant: wine is perishable. The five crucial elements to consider are: temperature stability, temperature fluctuation, humidity, ventilation and darkness.
red wine
Time Frame
Storage time depends on how you intend you use the wine, and its variety. Some wines are sold within 14 hours after bottling; others must be stored for over 25 years.
Temperature
Wine must be kept between 55 and 57 degrees Fahrenheit, with no more then a five-degree change once annually. If the temperature fluctuates consistently, changes at the molecular level affect taste and appearance.
Humidity
The cork is a key feature of proper wine storage and subject to environmental conditions. Low humidity, less then 50 percent, causes shrinkage, allowing excess oxygen to enter the wine; high humidity, over 80 percent, can lead to mildew on the cork.
Ventilation
The cork is permeable; some oxygen does enter wine. If those air molecules are contaminated with chemicals or strong odors, they can also permeate the wine.
Darkness
Wine is stored in bottles that absorb light, but optimal conditions require wine being stored with low light to no light. Wine storage facilities will manage personal wine cellars.
Tags: enter wine, Wine storage