Wine & cellar advice
Wine storage: temperature, humidity, essential rules
Wine storage relies on four physical parameters, in decreasing order of importance.
Temperature
A stable temperature between 12 and 14°C is ideal. Stability takes precedence over the absolute value: a cellar kept at a constant 16°C will preserve wine better than a cellar fluctuating between 10 and 18°C depending on the season.
Humidity
A humidity level between 70 and 75% prevents the cork from drying out, which would allow air to enter. Excessively high humidity encourages mold on labels without affecting the wine itself.
Light
Exposure to light, particularly UV rays, degrades wine. Bottles must be stored in the dark; while standard tinted glass helps, dark storage remains critical for prolonged aging.
Vibrations
Continuous vibrations are a secondary factor, debatable over short periods. They become significant for aging exceeding 10 years (proximity to a refrigerator compressor, floor subjected to road traffic).
Bottle position
Bottles should be stored horizontally to maintain wine contact with the cork, with the exception of wines sealed with screw caps, which can be stored upright.
Frequently asked questions
- Can wine be stored in a domestic refrigerator?
- Occasionally yes, but not beyond a few weeks: the temperature is too low and the humidity too low for long-term storage.
- Is an 18°C cellar catastrophic?
- No. The wine will age faster but remain suitable for consumption. Temperature stability matters more than the exact figure.
- Should bottles be moved regularly?
- No. The less bottles in storage are handled, the better.