A naturally constant environment is the crucial storage consideration. Fluctuations in temperature can be harmful, as can too much movement (including vibrations) and very low humidity. Undesirable photochemical effects of sunlight and artificial light are reversed once darkness is restored. Renting a professional cellar space is a good option if your interest warrants it. Underground cellars are usually cool, damp, dark, and secure, making them the ideal place for storing stocks of wine.
THE CORRECT ANGLE: Wine bottles should be stored horizontally and cases stacked on their sides, ensuring that the corks remain moist, thus fully swollen and airtight. If a bottle is stored vertically, its cork eventually dries out and shrinks. This exposes the wine to air and causes it to oxidize and go off. A few hours prior to drinking, stand the bottle upright to allow any sediment to settle.
Custom made wine racks and most wine racks allow you to store bottles horizontally. Protecting them from light as well, as does this one.
THE CORRECT STORAGE TEMPERATURE: The optimum temperature for storing wine is 52 F(11C), but any where from 40F to 65F (5C to 18C) will do no harm, as long as there is little short-term fluctuation: erratic temperatures are most dangerous. Wine matures faster at higher temperatures and slower when they are low. When storing wine, remember that heat rises. Get those wines off the top of the refrigerator! Constant temperature is most important.
HOW LONG TO KEEP WINE: Wine is "ready to drink" for some time: exact timing is a trade-off between freshness and mellowness. Very old wines are safe to drink. White grapes that age well include Chardonnay, Riesling, and Semillon. Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Syrah (Shiraz) are red varieties that benefit from aging. Many modest wines are made to drink on purchase; whites within six months, reds within two years.
STORING WINE IN A REGULAR REFRIGERATOR: Placing a bottle of wine in the refrigerator to chill for a few hours is fine: leaving it there for any longer can cause the cork to stick. The refrigerator draws moisture from the cork, which increases the possibility of oxidation. Immersing a bottle in a bucket of ice water is the best way to cool wine and to keep it cool while drinking.
Cheers!
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