Toast Success! 7 Ways to Properly Save Wine in Self-Storage Units
Southern Ontario is a vineyard oasis. With world-class VQA wines stemming from Niagara and PEC, you're likely eager to indulge in a taste of national pride.
Certain wines are known for ageing gracefully. They can last decades or even centuries when appropriately stored – becoming a heirloom of great value. However, it would help if you kept vino properly to avoid spoilage. Thankfully we're storage experts, offering storage units in Burlington of all sizes and functions. So whether you're an Ontario grower or toasting an international collection, we have seven proven methods to store wine effectively!
1.)Keep wine at the right temperature
Temperature control is arguably the most critical factor to consider when storing your wine. To prevent spoilage, the ideal temperature for wine storage is roughly 13°C, although it varies between varieties of wine. Nevertheless, wine should never be kept below -4°C, which causes wine to freeze, or above 20°c, which accelerates ageing.
Luckily, we offer-climate controlled storage in Burlington to retain the integrity of your wine for years to come. Unlike a home refrigerator which keeps food cold and dry, our storage units maintain the proper temperature and humidity levels for wine.
2.)Store your wine bottles horizontally
Storing wine bottles horizontally is crucial if you plan on retaining them for later sale. In addition, keeping wine on its side helps keep the cork moist – as a dried-out cork causes premature ageing due to air seepage.
It's not necessary to keep screw top wine bottles on their sides. However, horizontal storage helps with efficient placement in your self-storage units – helping prevent breakage and allowing easy access.
3.)Ensure wine is stored at the proper humidity
Another reason to consider our self-storage service in Burlington? Our climate-controlled units ensure proper humidity.
Changes in humidity negatively impact your wine's lifespan. Lower humidity will dry corks out, allowing oxygen to seep in and out. Contrarily, higher humidity causes labels to peel from bottles, a significant concern when selling or displaying them. Therefore, we recommend keeping humidity between 60 and 68 percent when storing wine.
4.)Store wine in the dark and away from technology
Wine must be protected from light and vibrations – another reason why it's wise to rent storage. The sun's UV rays damage wine's compounds, flavours and aromas. Additionally, home vibrations such as laundry machines, stereo systems and TVs stir sediments in bottles – interfering with the wine's ageing process.
Therefore, it's best to keep your wine in storage until you intend to drink or sell it.
5.)Serve wine at the right temperature
Allowing wine to reach its proper serving temperature prepares it for better longevity. Furthermore, it helps amplify the wine's flavour and aromas.
Red wine is best served slightly below room temperature at about 12-19°C. The exact temperature is determined by the age of the wine, with older wines best served higher on the spectrum and lower ones at a cooler temperature.
White wines, however, should be served at cooler temperatures between 8-12°C – with sparkling and sweet white wines on the cooler end.
Champagne is best served at 5-8°C.
6.)Properly store open wine bottles
When stored properly, an opened bottle of wine retains optimal quality for 3-5 days. Recorking it promptly and tightly is the key to extending its shelf life.
The best way to recork wine is by placing wax paper around the cork and sliding it back into the opening. The wax paper ensures no cork splinters fall into the bottle. A rubber wine stopper is another option if you've discarded or damaged the cork. Lastly, you might want to invest in a wine vacuum pump, which allows you to suck the air out of an open bottle and create a leakproof seal.
7.)Consider your wine's expiration date
Most retail wines aren't meant to be aged or kept in a cellar beyond 1-3 years. For example, many $20 wines would not last or gain value over a decade and often spoil. However, fine wines, which have a unique balance of sugars and tannins, can be worth upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Consult with a vendor on wines that specifically get better with age and last decades.
Most bottled white wines can be kept in a rental storage unit for one to two years, whereas red wines often last up to three years.
Wine down – don't stress out!
We've offered self-storage in Burlington, Ontario, for over 30 years. As a recap, our experts recommend you rent storage for wine to:
- Keep wine away from light and vibrations
- Ensure your wine is stored at the proper humidity level
- Keep wine at the right temperature
- Ensure adequate space to avoid breakages
- Allow it to age long-term
- Recork wine properly, and invest in a wine vacuum pump
As mentioned, renting climate-controlled rental storage units is the best investment when storing wine. For further information, read our post on Regular Vs Climate Controlled Storage.
Are you ready to make the move?
Then call us today! You can move in your belongings right away – or reserve a storage unit online, free of additional charge!