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Storing wine
Looking after your wine
Wine is a living product which should be handled carefully...
Don’t worry, the Bordeaux Wine School is on hand to offer valuable advice to help you store your wine in the best possible conditions!
1 / Transporting wine
Rule nº1
Transport the bottles upright to avoid leakage.
Rule nº2
Avoid transporting wine in excessively hot or cold conditions.
Rule nº3
Wine is disturbed by transportation vibration and movement; let it rest 2 to 3 weeks after arrival.
2 / Organizing your cellar
The ideal structural solution is to choose an underground cellar with a compressed clay or earthen floor, a small, north-facing ventilation opening, far removed from any vibration.
If you do not have a cellar, choose a temperature-controlled cabinet or refrigerator in which your bottles will remain at the ideal temperature. Store bottles horizontally and sufficiently spaced to allow air to circulate between them.
3 / How to properly cellar wine
A constant year-round temperature of 12-14° C (53-57° F) is ideal. A word to the wise: If the temperature is too high, the wine will age more quickly!
Also take care to maintain an ambient hygrometry of 70-80%, to avoid risking distorted or deteriorated labels and corks.
Lighting should be muted; neon light should be avoided.
4 / Ensuring wine longevity
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR ENSURING LONGEVITY?
It depends on the type of wine, the vintage, the appellation, and, above all, the wine’s terroir. The vinification and élevage (maturation) techniques, along with the bottle’s volume, also come into play. These parameters are associated with regular tasting.
WHAT IS THE “MAGNUM EFFECT”?
In this larger vessel (150 cl), wine takes longer to age (the oxygen supply allowed by the cork is lower compared to the volume of a 75 cl bottle).
THE SECRET IS PATIENCE!
But remember, a Bordeaux wine is designed for pleasure, so you can always decide that you don't want to wait.
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