Expert advice on storing unopened red wine
A popular saying goes that "wine improves with age." However, this doesn't apply to all wines. These beverages are complex and possess certain subtleties. Even if a wine doesn't have an expiration date, one should pay attention to its aging potential and storage conditions.
To preserve the wine you can also read our article on storing wine in a wine rack .
Storing wine: what oenologists say
According to wine professionals, only 10% of the world's wines possess significant aging potential. The remaining 90% should be enjoyed young. It's worth noting that wines intended for aging can be preserved and mature properly if stored correctly in a controlled environment.
Wine is composed of acid, tannin, alcohol, and fruit, which makes it quite complex to preserve. Once this beverage has aged under the right conditions , its aroma, flavor, and texture will gain in complexity . For wine to age well, it must be stored in a cellar. Various storage rules must also be followed to prevent the flavor of the beverage from deteriorating. This is important regardless of the wine's origin: Bordeaux, France, Portugal, etc.
Always keep the bottle lying down.
If a bottle of wine is not opened, it should be stored on its side. This applies regardless of the bottle's size. Vertical storage causes the cork to dry out . The wine then risks being exposed to oxygen and oxidizing. Keeping the cork moist is essential.
If you store wine bottles lying down, you'll see sediment before decanting. By keeping the wine lying down, you'll enjoy a better tasting experience in a few years, when you drink it.
Keep the wine at the right temperature
Heat is one of wine's greatest enemies. To preserve this beverage, it must be kept at the correct temperature. A sudden temperature change can transform a great vintage into a poor-quality wine. Ideally, wine should be stored at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. Higher temperatures will spoil the wine. It is better to store wine at a consistently warm temperature, rather than a fluctuating one.
Humidity also affects the quality of wine. It should be around 70%. This prevents the cork from drying out and the wine from oxidizing. Above this level, there is a risk of mold. To determine the humidity level in a room, you need a hygrometer .
Knowing the shelf life of wine in a cellar
Generally, a wine's shelf life is determined by storage conditions. If the wine is stored correctly (in a cool, not too dry place), it can be preserved for longer . Conversely, if it is stored improperly, it will deteriorate before opening. Several other factors also influence a wine's shelf life, including:
- The winemaking technique used
- The grape varieties
- The date indicated on the label.
If the bottle doesn't have an expiration date, you should refer to the year the grapes were harvested. If you buy wine in a supermarket or from a wine merchant for less than 30 euros, the wine should be consumed within one or two years .
Identify a wine that has gone bad
Before drinking wine, you need to adopt certain habits to avoid an unpleasant surprise.
1. Smell the scent
When opening the bottle, there are warning signs that indicate the wine has gone bad. You might notice a sulfurous or vinegar smell . This problem can be caused by improper storage. It's also possible the wine has been exposed to air. If the smell doesn't dissipate after a few hours, the wine should not be consumed.
2. Look at the appearance
A wine has gone bad when it has a brownish or excessively yellow tint (for a white wine). In this case, the wine has almost certainly lost all its flavor and is no longer drinkable.
You can consult our article to see what to pair with red wine .
