Most wines on the market were made to be uncorked within 1 to 5 years of purchase.
After that period, the wine will no longer taste delicious and will lose many desirable qualities. A wine that is meant to be aged will generally cost more ($50+) and will be designated for cellaring by the winemaker or your trusted wine source. Other clues that a wine should be cellared long term include high acidity, strong tannins, and excellent fruit. Since most wine is not made to be aged, you may be wondering if the bottle of wine that has been sitting in your pantry for many years is safe to drink.
Whether you are storing your wine for long or short-term storage, it is important to keep wine under the best conditions to ensure it tastes its best once uncorked. Ideally, your wine should be stored at a cool 55◦F in a dark room where it will not be exposed to prolonged sunlight or harsh overhead lighting. The relative humidity inside the space should be between 70-90%. You will want to keep your wine stacked carefully on its side or in a sturdy wine rack that will hold the bottle horizontally to ensure the cork stays moist. If you meet these conditions, you will prolong the life of the wine and ensure it does not spoil before its expiration date.
Read MoreWhether you are storing your wine for long or short-term storage, it is important to keep wine under the best conditions to ensure it tastes its best once uncorked. Ideally, your wine should be stored at a cool 55◦F in a dark room where it will not be exposed to prolonged sunlight or harsh overhead lighting. The relative humidity inside the space should be between 70-90%. You will want to keep your wine stacked carefully on its side or in a sturdy wine rack that will hold the bottle horizontally to ensure the cork stays moist. If you meet these conditions, you will prolong the life of the wine and ensure it does not spoil before its expiration date.
