| Temperature |
| Have a constant
10 - 14°C (55°F) without much variation. Once it hits above 20°C
(69°F), it will not be suitable for long term aging. |
| |
| Light |
| Complete darkness
is the most ideal as light can affect the composition of the wine. |
| |
| Movement |
| Avoid putting wine
in locations where there are frequent vibrations. It may "upset"
the wine. NO vibration at all is best. |
| |
| Humidity |
| 55-75% is the ideal
humidity range for stable wine aging. Humidity levels of 80% or
higher will cause mold to form and rot the labels. Lower levels
will draw wine out of the bottle and be replaced with oxygen rich
air. |
| |
| Wine Cellar
History |
| Wine storage
began in the underground caves of Europe. These caves provided
the consistent storing conditions that allowed wine to age at
an elegant pace. By convention, these conditions have become the
standard for modern wine cellars: 55-58 degrees and 55-75% relative
humidity. |
| |
| Wine Breathes |
| Wine breathes
through the cork and ages in the process. Environmental changes
(fluctuations in temperature and humidity) accelerate the aging
process. Excessive oxidation causes the wine to become bitter,
as it would in a glass overnight. Wine requires oxidation to mature;
but, it must be regulated to assure adverse conditions do not
affect the aging of your wine. The pace of breathing is faster
at high temperatures and slower at low temperatures. |
| |
| Daily Changes
|
| As
the temperature rises, your bottle of wine expands; but, the wine
expands seven times more than the glass bottle. This process creates
pressure, which forces wine out of the bottle. When the bottle
cools a vacuum forms, which sucks oxygen rich air into the bottle.
Ullage is the oxygen free air within the bottle. Unregulated,
temperature fluctuations prematurely age and deteriorate your
wine.
|
| |
| Position
of the Wine |
| Wine should always
be kept on its side so that the cork remains moist. This
will ensure that the cork does not become too brittle after years
of storage
and let air in. |
