You’ve built up quite the wine collection but you’re not sure how to keep it fresh. We’ve got some tried-and-true wine storage tips for you!  

To chill or not to chill? Both red and white wine can be stored between 45- and 65-degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range allows the flavor to improve while keeping other harmful chemical reactions in check. It is important to keep wine at a constant temperature. Even the shortest exposure to extreme temperatures can cause chemical reactions that will ruin wine. What does that mean for storing wine in the refrigerator? While most fridges are typically too cold for wine storage, storing wine here may be fine for a couple of months. The average fridge eliminates humidity as it cools and can dry out a wine’s cork. When the cork dries out, air gets in and spoils the wine.

Lay it down or stand it up? – Keeping bottles on their side helps keep the cork moist and is a space-saving way to store your wines.

Near a window? It is important to keep wine from heating up. This can happen when it’s in direct sunlight or next to bright interior lights. Wine is best kept in a dark, cool place so be strategic when adding a wine display.

So where is the best place to store your wine, if you don’t have a cellar? A dry, fairly cool basement is ideal. Some suggest putting a cupboard under the stairs. If you do not have access to basement storage, your best bet is a wine rack that is located in a cool place.

If you’re planning to store an opened bottle of wine, remember to recork it promptly and tightly. You can place some wax paper around the cork and slide it back into its original position. The wax will ease the cork into the top and also ensure that no stray parts of the cork drop into the bottle. Rubber corks or a wine vacuum pump are good options if the original cork is not viable. Opened wine should also be stored upright. This reduces the surface area in the bottle that is exposed to oxygen and will help the wine stay fresh longer.

Whichever storage option you choose, we hope Missouri wines are in your collection!