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5 mistakes to avoid when storing your wine bottles
These 5 mistakes that ruin your wine without you even knowing it
We all remember that dinner with friends where, trying to show off, you open an old bottle of Saint-Émilion that's been kept for years. Once uncorked, disaster strikes: a corked taste and an aroma more reminiscent of a damp cellar than the Bordeaux terroir.
That day, we understood one thing: even the finest wines don't forgive poor storage conditions. Storing wine isn't just about letting it age in a dark corner. It's a subtle art, requiring attention, consistency… and avoiding mistakes that are all too often overlooked.
In this article, we share the 5 most common mistakes to avoid so that your bottles retain their full quality until you taste them. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or simply an epicurean, these tips will save you from many a liquid disappointment.
Key takeaways: the 3 key points of this article
- Temperature, light, humidity : the silent enemies of poorly stored wine.
- Bottle position : a detail that changes everything.
- Misconceptions : often responsible for bad practices.
1. Storing wine at the wrong temperature
A classic mistake… but a fatal one.
Wine is alive. It breathes, evolves, and ages. And all of this depends heavily on the ambient temperature. A room that is too warm accelerates its aging; one that is too cold freezes its aromas.
The ideal storage temperature? Between 10 and 14°C . And above all, it must remain stable . Sudden fluctuations are truly devastating for wine.
- Avoid: kitchens, attics, uninsulated garages.
- Prefer: a natural cellar or a well-regulated electric wine cellar.
2. Leave the bottles in full light
The sun: the enemy of wine
A bottle exposed to light, especially sunlight, undergoes premature oxidation. As a result, the wine becomes flat, or even rancid. Even artificial light can alter the aromas over time.
It's no coincidence that bottles are often tinted: it's to protect them! But that's not enough.
Tip: Store your bottles in a dark place, or opt for a cellar with an opaque door or UV filter.
3. Storing bottles upright for too long
Contact with the cap is essential
If you store a bottle upright, the wine no longer touches the cork. And a dry cork is one that lets air in. Hello, oxidation!
The best practice: store your bottles lying down . This maintains the moisture in the cork and preserves the seal.
4. Neglecting the humidity level
Too dry or too wet? Either way, it's bad.
Air that is too dry dries out the corks. Air that is too humid encourages mold growth and rotten labels. The ideal humidity level is between 65 and 75% .
Tip: In a cellar that is too dry, place a container of water or use a humidifier. In a cellar that is too humid, remember to ventilate regularly.
5. Changing the bottles' positions too often
Wine hates moving house
Every movement stirs the wine, disturbs its sediment, and accelerates its chemical reactions. A bottle meant for aging needs stability to mature properly.
Leave your bottles undisturbed once they are in place. Unless it's an emergency (or you're about to taste them), don't move them unnecessarily.
Bonus: Good ideas that are actually bad and should be forgotten
- Keeping the bottles in the fridge continuously: too cold and too dry.
- Displaying them in a glass case: pretty, but destructive because of the light and heat.
- Thinking that all wines benefit from aging: some should be drunk young!
The final word: respect the wine, and it will respect you.
Each bottle tells a story. It is the fruit of a winemaker's labor, a season, a terroir. Offering it a place of rest worthy of the name gives it every chance to fully express itself, at the right time.
So, the next time you store your bottles, think about these 5 mistakes and give them the environment they deserve.
Have you ever experienced the disappointment of a poorly stored wine? Share your experience in the comments or over a nice glass (well stored, of course)!
