We picked up a couple bottles of the Jen while we were in SA on our wedding/honeymoon trip.
Without having a wine cellar, what’s the next best way we car store these for up to 10 years?
Our plan is to open a bottle on our anniversary each year. The vineyard says it should be fine for 10 years plus but I’m not too sure on how we should store it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
by HigherStreet
7 Comments
Dark, cool, with the least temp fluctuations
As far as I know you can’t store a bottle for ten years without controlled conditions. For the bottle to age as good as it possibly can you will need controlled temperature, light and humidity.
Keep it as dark as you can in a cool place, preferably around 12 degrees Celsius. Keep it in place with none or little vibrations and a humidity around 65-75%.
Have it stored laid down so the cork is always in contact with the wine. If not the cork will dry out over time, letting more air in and speed up the aging process.
Have no idea about the wine itself if it’s age worthy – that I will pass on to someone else!
Good luck and remember to come back in ten years with your tasting notes!
Store it somewhere cool, dark and odorless (a closet if that’s the best you can do), and lay it on its side so you don’t get cork rot.
Cellars also keep the wine relatively cool and you don’t want to drink it at room temp (too warm, strong alcohol taste, if it’s too cool, it tastes dull). I would lay it on its side in the fridge for 30 mins before drinking.
Temperature, humidity is a big concern while storing for long term. If you can find a dark place where temperature is in between 12-20 degrees and it’s not too humid or dry throughout the year , it should be ok.
PS – I have some bottles kept in a perfect cellar conditions but 1 of 20 does get corked.
Next best way would be a wine fridge
I’m certainly no expert so take this with a grain of salt. You want to keep the wine cool
And out of sunlight and stored on its side. The main thing is to try and keep it around 60 or cooler and avoid any big temperature swings. You just really don’t want it to get too hot.
On its side, in the darkest, coolest place in your house. Bonus points if the temperature is stable.
There are a lot of considerations that go into the bigger picture here but realistically if the wine is in a cool, dark spot and on its side then things are going to be fine.