stripImg

Temperature, light, time: all the tips for storing wine correctly

  • 03/02/2023

​Who doesn't have at least one bottle of wine, white or red, at home, just waiting to be opened for a special occasion? If not stored correctly, however, or once opened, there is a risk that the taste has not been preserved. Because in reality what is often not known is that conservation is a fundamental phase in the production and vital cycle of a bottle of wine, which allows the organoleptic characteristics to be kept intact over time. So how to store wine? What precautions should be taken into account when storing our bottles? 

Here are our tips to offer a wine always good and fresh your guests and avoid nasty surprises!


How to store wine

Wine is a living product: when it enters the bottle, its life is just beginning. As we know, in fact, it evolves over time, improving (or worsening) its qualities. The wine, therefore, "ages": during the period of aging in the bottle, all the components of the wine - colour, flavour, aroma - harmonize with each other and enhance its taste. This is why it is essential to accompany the maturation of your bottles in the right way, taking into account some precise precautions for correct conservation. Let's see which ones!


Temperature

The temperature of the environment in which our bottles are stored is the first element to take into consideration: it must be constant and harmful temperature changes must be avoided. It should not be too high or too low, as an excess of heat can accelerate the maturation in an uncontrolled way and make the present alcohol evaporate, while a too low temperature can cause the precipitation of the various components of the wine, increasing the sediments on the fund and blocking its evolution. 

As for the wine, therefore, the proper storage temperature is between 12 and 15 °C, however keeping in mind a rule: never below 10 degrees, never above 18.


Light

Another very important rule is: never expose the wine to direct light. In particular, sunlight triggers chemical reactions that facilitate oxidation and damage the wine. This is why your favorite labels should be kept in a place as dark as possible, away from direct light sources.


Position of the bottle

How beautiful is a wall with all the bottles in order, one after the other, with the fine labels clearly visible, resting on the shelves? Very much, but it is good to know that in reality the bottles should be stored horizontally and not vertically, precisely with an inclination of 5°. This for two reasons: the inclination causes the sediments to settle on the bottom and that the cork remains moist, preventing it from drying out and therefore allowing oxygen to enter more easily which could deteriorate the content.


Humidity

Excesses are never good, even when in terms of humidity. Avoid storing bottles in too dry or humid environments: the right level of humidity is between 65% and 80%. This is because it is important to keep the cork moist and elastic, so as to prevent evaporation and, at the same time, air infiltration and mold creation inside the bottle.


Aerated environment and away from too strong smells

We have talked about temperature, light and humidity, but ventilation also plays an important role in the bottle aging phases. Unfortunately, glass is not enough to guarantee perfect impermeability from smells, which the wine therefore tends to absorb. It would be good not to store wine in the kitchen, or in other places where there may be strong odors such as detergents, chemicals or paints. Furthermore, a small ventilation reduces the possibility of moulds forming inside the bottle and that the wine absorbs unpleasant odors that alter its natural perfume.


Storage time

We have seen the "how" the wine should be stored, but we have not yet talked about the "how much". How long can a bottle be stored? As we have said, every wine follows a real life cycle, and this also applies to consumption. It depends on the type of product. In general, it is possible to say that red wines, thanks to the high content of polyphenols, have more aging capacity than whites. For example, for the same vintage, a white will be consumed before a red, while as we know some reds – such as a Nobile di Montepulciano or a Montefalco Sagrantino – can be very long-lived and, indeed, over time acquire notes and nuances of even richer aromas and flavours.

 

Do you already follow these steps to store your favorite bottles?​​​​​​​

 

 

Suvereto and Val Di Cornia Consortium: between protection, associationism, and terroir21/09/2023 22:00:00Suvereto and Val Di Cornia Consortium: between protection, associationism, and terroirhttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/suvereto-and-val-di-cornia-consortium-between-protection-associationism-and-terroirSince 2021, the wines of Val Di Cornia have been protected by the Consorzio Suvereto and Val di Cornia. We discussed this with Secretary Daniele Becchi22/09/2023 08:24:45046060Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT Emerging from a desire for unity that aspx16htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Consorzio%20Suvereto%20Val%20di%20Cornia.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2023-09-21T22:00:00Z
Summer holidays in Tuscany: the colors of a journey through nature, art and wine30/07/2023 22:00:00Summer holidays in Tuscany: the colors of a journey through nature, art and winehttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/summer-holidays-in-tuscany-the-colors-of-a-journey-through-nature-art-and-wineSummer holidays in Tuscany are a must for many Italian and foreign tourists: let's find out why by analyzing the thousand faces of the region31/07/2023 12:27:14036363Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT Tuscany is written, poetry is read aspx132htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Monterufoli%20da%20drone1.jpeg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2023-07-30T22:00:00Z
Small wine glossary for amateurs: here are the terms to know29/06/2023 22:00:00Small wine glossary for amateurs: here are the terms to knowhttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/small-wine-glossary-for-amateurs-here-are-the-terms-to-knowFrom "sweet" wine to "Riserva": in this wine glossary some terms and words of the sector are explained30/06/2023 08:06:1408139Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT Let's face it: how many times, during a aspx702htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Glossario.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2023-06-29T22:00:00Z
Via Francigena in Tuscany: the most beautiful stages13/04/2023 22:00:00Via Francigena in Tuscany: the most beautiful stageshttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/via-francigena-in-tuscany-the-most-beautiful-stagesA guide to the most famous stages of the Tuscan Via Francigena, to find out how to travel them, what to visit and where to sleep14/04/2023 06:00:37039734Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT From Canterbury to Rome, the Eternal aspx1833htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Viale%20Bolgheri.jpeg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2023-04-13T22:00:00Z
Tuscany in 10 dishes06/04/2023 22:00:00Tuscany in 10 disheshttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/tuscany-in-10-dishesPappardelle, cod alla livornese and ribollita: here are 10 typical dishes of Tuscany and where to taste them13/04/2023 12:19:25037622Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT Tuscany is not "only" ancient villages aspx2587htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Rist.%20La%20Miniera3.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2023-04-06T22:00:00Z
Wine quality: Tenute del Cerro certifies the management of its operating models16/02/2023 23:00:00Wine quality: Tenute del Cerro certifies the management of its operating modelshttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/wine-quality-tenute-del-cerro-certifies-the-management-of-its-operating-modelsNew quality certifications for Tenute del Cerro: let's get to know the new objectives achieved17/02/2023 10:09:47037842Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT We choose it carefully to create refined aspx2273htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Certificazioni.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2023-02-16T23:00:00Z
"Award-winning" wines to give at Christmas to embellish the Holidays28/11/2022 23:00:00"Award-winning" wines to give at Christmas to embellish the Holidayshttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/"award-winning"-wines-to-give-at-christmas-to-embellish-the-holidaysThe selection of wines to give at Christmas among the Tenute del Cerro labels that received prestigious awards in 202229/11/2022 10:36:52037624Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT "That" time of the year is approaching aspx2315htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Poggio%20Miniera.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2022-11-28T23:00:00Z
Innovative logistics for Tenute del Cerro wine: this is the technology that monitors the temperature24/10/2022 22:00:00Innovative logistics for Tenute del Cerro wine: this is the technology that monitors the temperaturehttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/innovative-logistics-for-tenute-del-cerro-wine-this-is-the-technology-that-monitors-the-temperatureHow does the new technology for monitoring wines shipped by Tenute del Cerro work? Interview with the Trade Marketing Manager Francesco Ceccarelli25/10/2022 12:52:09037623Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT Wine is an extremely delicate product aspx2304htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Piantina%202.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2022-10-24T22:00:00Z
Organic conversion and Pian di Seta Vermentino Bio IGT: the news of Tenuta Monterufoli28/06/2022 22:00:00Organic conversion and Pian di Seta Vermentino Bio IGT: the news of Tenuta Monterufolihttps://www.tenutedelcerro.it/en/estates/monterufoli/news/organic-conversion-and-pian-di-seta-vermentino-bio-igt-the-news-of-tenuta-monterufoliIn 2021, the organic certification of the Monterufoli Estate arrived with the latest novelty, Vermentino Pian di Seta Bio IGT29/06/2022 09:56:20037621Fattoria del Cerro La Poderina Monterufoli Colpetrone Tenuta di Montecorona O' di Còlpetrone Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana Bio IGT With 2,095,380 hectares of surface and aspx2378htmlFalseaspx<img alt="" src="/it/PublishingImages/News/Pian%20di%20Seta%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />2022-06-28T22:00:00Z