Wine storage: temperature, humidity, light, what criteria must be met?

You don’t always need to open a grand cru to savor something special. At Goguette, we love discovering great wines with character that can be shared simply, over a nice meal or an impromptu aperitif.

However, whether it is a great vintage or not, when you want to store a bottle for the medium term, there are some important rules to bear in mind. It is all about temperature, humidity, light and vibrations. And all it takes is a few simple steps to preserve the aromas and get the most out of every moment of tasting.

1. Maintain a stable temperature

Regardless of its color, wine does not like temperature fluctuations.

The ideal temperature is between 10 and 14°C, with as much stability as possible. Excessive heat accelerates ageing, while low temperatures slow down the process and stifle the aromas.

Therefore, avoid rooms that are overly exposed to heat, such as cupboards near the oven or refrigerator. If you do not have an underground cellar, an electric wine fridge, even a compact one, is an excellent solution for regulating temperature and storing your bottles in optimal conditions.

2. Control humidity

Often overlooked, humidity plays a vital role in wine storage.

If it is too dry for too long, the cork can shrink and let air in, causing the wine to oxidize. If it is too humid, the label will peel off and mold will grow. So, what is the sweet spot? We would advise a humidity level between 70 and 80%.

To measure and control your humidity level, you can place a hygrometer in your wine fridge. The trick for rooms that are too dry: place a receptacle of water near where you store your wine, or pour a small amount of water into the bottom of your wine fridge.

3. Protect wine from direct light

Another enemy of wine is light.

Prolonged exposure to light can alter its color and aromas. This is why it is important to store it in a dark place, in a wine fridge with either UV-treated doors.

You’ll find solid insulated door Goguette wine fridge, for total darkness, or glass-door wine fridge with double-glazing, reinforced with Argon gas, and an anti-UV treatment that filters out 97% of U.V. rays.

4. Store bottles lying down

With the exception of screw-top bottles, it is best to store your bottles in a horizontal position.

This keeps the cork moist and prevents oxidation if it dries out and shrinks.

To store your bottles in the ideal conditions, Goguette has designed a shelf that adapts to different bottle sizes and shapes by adjusting the space between the individual sliding bottle holders. Whether you place the bottles head-to-toe or with the label facing outwards, this shelf allows you to store bottles on several levels while offering easy access to your favorite vintages thanks to its sliding mechanism.

5. Minimize vibrations

Vibrations can also affect the quality of wine storage.

They disrupt the natural ageing process, preventing particles from settling properly and clouding the wine. Over time, they can alter the finesse of the aromas.

Avoid storing your bottles near appliances that produce vibrations or are noisy. Some wine fridges have a built-in anti-vibration system: an essential feature for preserving the quality of your wine.

6. Choose a wine fridge designed for everyday use

Stable temperature, good humidity level, UV protection, limited vibrations…

Because not everyone does not have a cellar under their home, or sufficient space in their apartment, electric wine fridges are the ideal solution.

At Goguette, we design them to meet all your needs in a style that is as elegant as it is functional. Neither too technical nor too elaborate, they are perfect for storing both your favorite wines and your everyday bottles. Ideal for keeping your vintages close at hand, always ready to be opened and shared.