The vernal equinox (otherwise known as the first day of spring) is March 19. The summer heat won’t be too far behind. If you’re like us, and always have a few bottles of wine around the house (inside a wine cellar or outside of it), then there are some steps you can take to ensure the freshness and flavor of your wine this spring. Check out the spring wine storage tips below:
1. Keep the temperature consistent.
Shifts in temperature are what can really destroy a wine’s flavor. In dry places like California and the American Southwest, there are often dramatic day-night temperature swings in spring and summer. Also beware of appliances and other heat sources in your own home: don’t keep your wines next to the stove, for example, or a toaster oven. Make sure that wherever your bottles are kept, these dramatic temperature changes won’t affect them. For more information about temperature control, check out The Importance of the Bottle Probe and Accurate Temperature Readings.
2. Beware of light.
It’s almost spring, so there’s a lot more daylight now—and that’ll only increase as we approach summer. Be wary of storing your wines in a place where they receive direct sunlight, like a rack on the wall of your dining room or living room, or sitting on the kitchen counter. Overexposure to light can cause unwanted chemical reactions in your wine that will dull or otherwise ruin the flavor. Fluorescent lights and halogen lights also prematurely age wine with UV rays. A nice dark cupboard might be just the place for your wines this spring.
3. Don’t let your corks dry out.
Spring in North America is generally more moist and humid than winter, but that’s no reason to be complacent. Certain rooms in your house could be drier than outside, especially if you have your air conditioning system running and stripping moisture out of the air. If your wine bottles have natural corks, they could dry out and crack if the humidity level drops too low. Make sure the humidity level stays above 50% and store your wine bottles on their sides so the wine moistens the cork. For more information discover how WhisperKOOL’s cooling systems safeguard your wine investment by delving into “Understanding Cellar Humidity & Condensate.“
4. Avoid vibration at all costs.
Store wine in a vibration-free environment to prevent disturbance to the sediment and aging process. Vibrations can negatively impact the quality of wine by accelerating chemical reactions and affecting its taste. Choose a stable location, away from appliances or machinery that generate vibrations, to ensure optimal conditions for wine storage.
5. First in, first out.
Organize your wines based on their aging potential. Place wines that need longer aging in a dedicated section, and arrange bottles for easy access. Consider a “first in, first out” approach, consuming older bottles before newer ones to enjoy them at their peak maturity. Following these tips will help preserve the quality of your wine collection throughout the spring months.
Following these tips will help preserve the quality of your wine collection throughout the spring months. There are dozens of articles around the web that pertain to wine storage, and they have tons more helpful spring wine storage tips like these. Enjoy your spring, open a bottle of (properly stored) wine, and happy sipping!
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