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Having invested possibly hundreds of dollars in your
latest bottle of vintage wine (ah well, we can but dream),
the next important decision is where to store this prized
possession?
The main issue when it comes
to storing wine is that it needs to be maintained at
a cool temperature of between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius.
Shoved under the bed won't do.
Many modern wines do not need
to be aged over a great period of time; therefore extensive
cellars are often unnecessary. Having said this, if
you have the time, space and resource to excavate a
cellar, your wine will surely benefit. A purpose built
cellar is not normally an option for most households
and so suitable alternatives must be explored.
Ideal areas for storage include
a corner of a garage, garden shed, an unused fireplace
or a cupboard that is against an outside wall.
Wherever you choose to store
your wine, a few basic criteria are worth keeping in
mind.
Choose an area that is less likely
to be subjected to fluctuating temperatures caused by
household heating systems.
Wines benefit from being kept
in dark conditions. Although this is not always practical,
wine should certainly be stored in an area that is not
exposed it to direct sunlight.
As a final point, always store
your wine bottles on their side. Corks are designed
to be kept moist, so that they remain airtight and do
not crumble when a corkscrew is inserted.
Bear in mind that some wines
do not benefit from being stored at all. If you have
poor or no storage facilities available, consider purchasing
wine that matures quickly such as most white wines or
new technology reds or, possibly, a new Beaujolais.
Move wine as little as possible
once it has been placed in storage, unless of course
it is being moved into a glass!
If you have a particularly special
wine collection, it may be worth engaging a specialist
company to store your wine for you (Oops, I'm dreaming
again). Good storage has been recognized as vital for
many wines and as such, many companies now provide storage
facilities. Of course, this does not come cheap and
is best reserved for those very special bottles or for
those experts who are considering selling their wine
on, at a future date.
About The Author:
Since Neil Best first investigated
the wine history he's been recording his findings at
http://www.goodglug.com.
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