How to store a bottle of wine properly ?
The essential tips to make sure you never “ruin” a cuvée again.
Who hasn’t lived this minor tragedy ? You finally open that special bottle you’ve been saving, only to discover it has slipped to the dark side. Bad luck? Not always. Most of the time, the culprit is poor storage conditions. Wine is a bit like a houseplant — it doesn’t need much, but it definitely dislikes being neglected.
Here’s a clear, reliable guide to storing your bottles properly, even if you don’t have a stone cellar hiding underground.
the golden rule everyone forgets:temperature
If you remember only one thing, let it be this: wine hates temperature swings.
The ideal is a stable environment between 10°C and 14°C.
So please, avoid kitchen cupboards (too warm, constant variations), the top of the fridge (yes… we’ve seen it), or the garage in midsummer — a real furnace.
Why does it matter ? When a bottle overheats, it ages too quickly, loses its fruit and oxidises faster. In short: it gets tired, just like we do in a heatwave.
humidity : a small detail with a big impact
A healthy, stable humidity level around 70–80% is essential — especially if your bottles are sealed with cork. Since corks are still widely used in France, this matters a lot.
Too dry ? The cork can shrink, letting oxygen in → the wine oxidises. Too humid? Labels can deteriorate and mould may develop around the top of the bottle.
Sommelier’s tip :
If your storage space is very dry, place a small bowl of water nearby. Simple and effective.
Wine dislikes its silent enemies : light and vibration
Wine is photosensitive — that’s why most bottles are dark. UV rays break down fruit aromas and create strange, off‑putting smells known as “lightstruck” aromas. And trust us, you don’t want a hint of artichoke in your favourite cuvée.
So skip the sunny windowsills. Choose a dark, shaded area instead.
As for vibration, it’s an underrated nuisance: it prevents sediment from settling and “tires” the wine.
Avoid: washing machines, fridges, shaky shelves, or high‑traffic areas.
The idea ? Let the wine live its quiet life undisturbed.
Still curious about something ?
Should wine bottles be stored lying down ?
Yes, because of the cork.
If you want to store a wine long‑term, the bottle must stay in contact with the cork. That’s why bottles are traditionally kept horizontally.
Why ? Because the wine keeps the cork naturally humidified, maintaining its tight seal.
Over time, a dry cork shrinks, allowing oxygen to enter the bottle and accelerate oxidation.Simple cause, simple effect.
Can wine absorb surrounding odours ?
Absolutely.
Wine “breathes” through its cork which means it can capture nearby smells. So avoid storing bottles next to paint cans, fuel, strong spices, or even a poorly closed trash bin (it happens more often than you’d think).
What if you don’t have an ideal cellar ?
A natural cellar is the holy grail: cool, humid, stable, dark.
If you have one, lucky you. Otherwise, consider an electric wine cellar, a great option for apartments or modern homes, as it maintains a stable temperature, filters odours, shields bottles from UV exposure, limits vibration and keeps everything neatly organised.
There are options for every budget, and it’s a worthwhile investment if you like to keep a small collection.
Keep in mind: not all wines are meant to age — and that’s perfectly fine.
Most bottles are designed to be enjoyed within 2 to 5 years. No need for top‑level equipment for the majority of your wines.
In the end, good storage is mostly about coherence. A stable, shaded corner that isn’t too warm, doesn’t vibrate, and stays free of strong odours — that already covers 80% of what matters.
And a bottle is even more enjoyable when you know you’ve treated it with the respect it deserves.
