How to Store Wine at Home: Sommelier Tips for Preserving Every Bottle
The extravagant wine cellar in the most expensive home in America. #goals
If you have a growing wine collection, learning how to store wine is as important as knowing how to buy wine! Whether you’re aging fine wines for a special occasion or just hoping your favorite wines taste great next month, proper wine storage can make all the difference. Imagine saving a treasured bottle of wine from your last winery visit— or even your latest Costco run— only to open it and discover it’s lost its flavor or or worse, tastes like drinking vinegar… a one-way ticket to major disappointment.
Luckily, avoiding that scenario doesn’t require a dedicated wine cellar or fancy equipment! With a few simple tips, you can create the ideal conditions at home to preserve your bottles and help them reach their full potential—no vineyard in Tuscany required.
Why is proper wine storage so important to the drinking experience? The answer is simple: wine is made of organic matter, and it ripens and evolves over time. It has more in common with a bunch of grapes than a bottle of soda. Just like fruit, it will reach a peak of flavor and then eventually go bad. The trick to storing wine at home is to maintain the optimal conditions that preserve its freshness and allow it to age gracefully— so when the time comes, your glass sings with flavor, not disappointment.
Here are some helpful tips on how to store wine the right way:
Store Wine at Home at the Best Temperature
Maintaining a consistent temperature is the most important factor in wine storage, and temperature fluctuations are particularly harmful.
Camila Xavier, Director of Prestige Wines at Evaton Wine (including Casa Ferreirinha, Mateus, Silk & Spice, and Sandeman), says: “Wine is a living product that continues to evolve in a bottle. Storing wines at a consistent temperature will help ensure that they age slowly and delicately. Excess heat or cold temperatures can damage the wine and accelerate the aging process in a negative way. Heat, especially, can do a lot of damage, causing the wine to lose primary aromas and accentuating the perception of alcohol.”
The ideal storage temperature for wine is widely accepted to be between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Sommeliers refer to this as ‘cellar temperature’—cooler than room temperature, but not as cold as your fridge. One easy way to achieve this is to invest in a dedicated wine fridge or wine cooler. These appliances come in various sizes, from 200-bottle wine refrigerators to mini versions perfect for a cool cupboard or countertop. Some models even have a dual-zone feature for keeping white wine cooler than your red wines.
Don’t have the space or budget for a wine fridge? A cool place like a dark basement corner will work well for short-term storage, especially for young wines or bottles intended to be opened within a year. Says Xavier, “For bottles to be consumed on a day-to-day basis, a wine fridge is not needed unless the wines are being kept in a place that oscillates a lot in temperature (think next to the stove).” Avoid placing your wine in warm spots like on top of the fridge or next to the oven—that’s the wrong way to store wine. (Trust us—no one wants their merlot to taste like microwaved cherry compote.)
This applies to open bottles as well: always store them in the fridge once they’re open! (Yes, even red wines- you don’t have to drink them cold; let them warm on the counter before you drink them, but they need to be stored cold). Check out my ‘avocado theory’ for more info on that!
Keep Bottles Away From Light
Wine should always be kept in a dark place away from direct sunlight. UV rays can trigger chemical reactions in wine that degrade its flavors and aromas. Wine damaged by light exposure is known as being "light struck," and it may start to smell like cabbage or wet cardboard. Even fluorescent bulbs can negatively affect the quality of the wine over long periods.
That’s why many wines are bottled in green or amber-tinted glass, which offers some protection from UV light. Still, that’s not enough if you’re leaving bottles in a sunny window or under direct light. A dark room, dark closet, or cabinet is your best bet for protecting your bottles of wine from harmful rays. (Bonus: you’ll feel like you’re hiding treasure— because you kind of are.)
The Role of Humidity in Long-Term Wine Storage
Studies have shown that most wine drinkers open their bottles within 48 hours of purchase, meaning short-term storage is more common. But for long-term storage of fine wines, proper wine storage requires attention to humidity levels.
If a wine is sealed with a natural cork, too little humidity can cause dry air to dry out the cork, letting in too much air and accelerating oxidation. Too much humidity, on the other hand, may lead to excessive humidity, which can promote mold growth or damage the label. For aging wines, the ideal humidity level is between 60% and 68%—think wine spa, not wine swamp.
Store Bottles On Their Sides
When using cork-sealed bottles, the horizontal position keeps the cork moist, which is essential to avoid oxidation. Xavier says, “The cork needs to be kept in contact with the wine. If not, it will dry out and allow additional oxygen to enter the bottle, leading to oxidation.” Having a moist cork will keep the oxygen transmission through the cork nice and even (more on that here). A wine rack helps with easy access and efficient use of space—and frankly, looks chic while doing it. I have two of these and love them— and you can check out more cute wine racks in our shop!
For screw-cap wines, including everyday options like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir, you have more flexibility. Xavier adds, “Screw caps are great for young wines and sparkling wines. I love keeping a bottle of Papa Figos in the fridge and taking it chilled to BBQs or pool parties without needing a wine opener.” Translation: screw caps = spontaneous good times.
Use Wine Preservation Tools for Open Bottles
A Coravin is a wine preservation system that allows you to pour wine without pulling the cork. It inserts a needle into the cork and replaces the poured wine with argon gas, which prevents oxidation. This is ideal for preserving open wine bottles for a long time without sacrificing the wine quality. It’s a useful tool for any wine lover who wants to enjoy one glass at a time—because some nights just call for a splash of Barolo and a bubble bath.
Best Way to Store Leftover Wine
There are two key steps to storing an open bottle: seal it tightly and keep it chilled. Even leftover wine benefits from cooler temperatures, as refrigeration slows the oxidation process. After your bottles are open, you can vacuum-pump them and keep them in the fridge- that should extend the life for a few days. A vacuum pump will reduce the surface area exposed to air, extending freshness.
How to Tell If Wine Has Gone Bad
Sometimes, despite your best wine storage efforts, a wine just goes bad. This may be due to poor storage conditions before it reached you or issues in the production process. We have a whole article about this that’s worth a read— but, here are a few quick ways to tell:
Corked Wine
If it smells like a musty basement or wet cardboard, it may be tainted with TCA. It won’t hurt you, but it ruins the wine tastes. (This is your sign to pour it out and pour yourself a better one.)Oxidized Wine
If it smells or tastes vinegary, it’s been exposed to too much air and is past its prime. Think bruised apple—not the vibe.Heat-Damaged Wine
If your wine has been exposed to high temperatures, it may taste like stewed fruit, cola, or soy sauce. That’s a sign it’s been "cooked" and isn’t worth drinking—save your palate and move on.
With the right best practices, you can enjoy your wines at their peak and avoid the heartbreak of a spoiled bottle. Cheers to smart, stylish wine storage—and to every perfectly chilled glass waiting in your future.
Always Stock Your Fridge With Some Sparkling
Ok, this may not necessarily be a wine storage tip; but keeping at least one bottle of something nice in your refrigerator door at all times is just one of those things that any wine-loving adult should do. It doesn't have to be Champagne- right now I have a really fun sparkling Montlouis from the Loire Valley. If you have an impromptu reason to celebrate, I promise you’ll wish you had a bottle that was pre-chilled and ready to go!
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I store wine without a wine fridge?
Store wine in a cool place away from light, such as a dark closet or basement. Avoid areas with temperature fluctuations or direct heat.
Can wine be stored at room temperature?
Short-term, yes. But for optimal results, aim to store wine between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit for the long term.
Should wine be stored upright or on its side?
Wines with corks should be stored on their side to keep the cork moist. Screw-cap wines can be stored upright.
How long can I store an open bottle of wine?
Depending on the type of wine, an open bottle can last anywhere from 1 to 7 days if properly sealed and refrigerated.
What’s the best place to store wine at home?
A dedicated wine fridge, wine cabinet, or cool cupboard in a dark room is your best bet for maintaining ideal storage temperature and humidity levels.
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