Wine deserves to be savored at its best, and whether you have few or lots of bottles, you would like to ensure they’re kept in the finest possible condition before serving.

Maybe you’ve had a horrible experience with a spoiled wine bottle in the past and don’t want to go through it again. Wine storage is a serious business, and many people may not have the means to afford a wine cellar – or the capacity to build one. Many of these issues can be avoided by just storing wine correctly.

Here are five tips on how you can preserve your wine at home.

1. RED WINES SHOULD BE STORED IN A WINE COOLER

Larger wine collections are ideal for storage in the best wine coolers. If you plan to consume these wines within a month, you can keep them on the countertop as long as they are removed from direct sunlight.

If the counter receives direct sunlight, use it under the counter shelf of the wine cooler integrated to conceal the wine.

2. TURN THE BOTTLES ON THEIR SIDES

Natural cork can dry up over time, causing your wine to oxidize. Placing bottles on their sides will help fix this problem because the wine will keep the natural corks moist. This is necessary if you intend to keep wine for at least ten years.

However, storing wines on their sides provides you with enough space for more bottled wine. This method prevents air entry into the wine, which is one of the major causes of wine spoilage.

3. WINE SHOULD BE STORED AWAY FROM ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Radiation from sunlight is responsible for the oxidation of sulfur-containing amino acids, which causes changes to wine flavor. Ensure that you store your wine from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting. If you notice that your wine has a strange odor, ultraviolet rays from the sun have made the wine “light struck.”

4. KEEP WINES AWAY FROM VIBRATIONS

To avoid spoilage of your wines, keep them away from household devices that produce vibrations, for example, your vacuum cleaner, dryer, washer, or stereo.  The sediments in the wine bottle can be affected by these vibrations resulting in complex chemical processes that might reduce or lower the quality of the wine’s flavor.

Also, prolonged storage of wine in the fridge can cause the fridge vibration to destroy the wine’s aroma and taste.

5. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR WINE AT THE PROPER TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY

The appropriate temperature for storing wine is between 45- and 65-degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit can cause wine spoilage. Your target should be 55°F, although temperatures between 45 and 65°F will suffice. To avoid dried-out corks, which might allow air into the wine, the humidity level for storing your wine should be around 70%.

CONCLUSION

There are numerous options for storing wine. Most importantly, select a dark, comfortable location in your home with consistent temperatures. When the moment comes to pop the cork, you’ll know your wine is nice and ready to drink.