Wine preservation: the right things to do every day

The preservation of the wine has a direct impact on its lifespan, as well as on its quality once opened. Inseparable from a good meal on The French tables, it is also part of the national heritage. This is thanks to world-famous wine regions such as Bordeaux wines, and its famous estates. Wine is an alcoholic beverage that “lives” differently depending on the conditions under which the bottles are kept. Also, in order to have a quality wine that ages several years, it is essential to respect the optimal storage conditions. This is whether red, white or rosé wines are stored.

From the estate to the cellar of the individual, the good preservation of the wine is paramount

Not everyone can buy their wine bottles live from the producer. Some consumers who are fond of Château Haut-Brion,for example, are not close to the vineyards. This includes buyers abroad, such as the United States or China, to name but a few examples. In these conditions, the supply chain is therefore essential for the wine to travel in good conditions.

Because wine meets specific storage standards, some companies specialize in shipping wines. You can learn more by visiting the websites of these professionals. Wine is a particularly delicate product, sensitive to all kinds of factors… It is therefore essential that it travels in optimal conditions. Especially if the customer is a collector, or a professional who offers the product to his customers.

Thus, during expeditions, whether by road, by sea or by air… Bottles must be kept under specific conditions. Moreover, in order to develop in good conditions, the wine must not exceed a temperature of 15oC. On the other hand, red wine cannot go below 12oC. For white and rosé wines, a temperature of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius is not disturbing.

The aim of these “delicate” logistics is also to send the bottles to the customer’s home without breaking or altering the product. Professionals take care of the packaging of bottles, in a certified and secure manner. Altering the quality of the product, especially when it comes to great vintages, or old wines, is unthinkable.

In general, these professionals are used to storing large quantities of bottles for shipments, and therefore meet precise criteria.

Preservation of wine, guaranteeing the integrity of the product above all else

On the tables of the French restaurants,impossible to escape: wine is one of the undisputed stars. Each wine has its own character, more pronounced agreements with certain foods, cheeses, fish, meats… It exists at all budgets, of all ages, and of all sources. Bordeaux, Côtes du Rhône, Jurançon. All these products are well known and appreciated by consumers.

Wine bottles collection
Wine bottles can be kept horizontally if they have a cork.

In these establishments, wine preservation is important. Indeed, to keep all the flavor of the wine, sommeliers have specific storage conditions adapted to the product. They often have a large number of bottles, and pay special attention to their preservation. But how does it work? What are the right reflexes to have whether you are professional or private to keep your bottles in good conditions?

As with logistics, wine requires special attention to its temperature. A temperature of the storage place ideally between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius so as not to cool or warm the wine. These low temperatures are often the result of storage in a closed area, away from sources of light and heat. Indeed, the wine develops if it is hot, but not towards the bonus. This explains why the “caves” of restaurants are located in dark rooms, in the basement.

Not all establishments and houses have such places, where it is cool enough to keep its bottles. Also, to meet these specific conservation conditions, companies have developed refrigeration wine cabinets. A good compromise between storage place and cool conditions. There are different models, more or less large, on all budgets.

Humidity, storage… impacts on wine quality

For optimal wine preservation, the storage of wine in a cellar or in a cupboard provided for this purpose allows to respect precise temperatures. Storage away from light prevents it from ageing prematurely. However, there are many other conservation conditions that allow a wine to age well.

Some consumers do not appreciate the alteration of labels because of the humidity. This last touch touches the aesthetic side of the bottles, certainly… But it is also essential for the preservation of wines in good conditions. Indeed, the humidity ensures that the cap is properly sealed over time. For optimal preservation, it is recommended that the humidity level in the storage area be between 70% and 90%.

Wine storage cabinet
Wine cabinets allow you to keep your bottles in good conditions.

In addition, professionals recommend that the bottles be in a odour-free place. Indeed, the wine can not bear the slightest smell,such as kitchen smells for example. This is one of the reasons why you can’t find a wine cellar in the kitchens of a restaurant, but in a separate room.

Then comes the question of the placement of bottles. In the cupboards and in the wine cellars, the bottles are mostly lying down. The vast majority of wine bottles have a cork. By positioning the bottles in this way, wine and cork remain in contact. This prevents it from drying out, crumbling, and affecting the quality of the wine.

However, nothing prevents you, if the bottle does not have a cork, but a capsule, to store your wine vertically. But you can also fold them, the storage racks offering this position.

Wine preservation… Depending on its year of bottling

Keeping your wine well therefore depends on the conditions under which it ages. However, not all wines are intended to age 10 years or more. Indeed, some vintages are intended for immediate consumption. Too long a shelf life would make it less good for consumption, unlike other wines. Thus, the best advisor for this aspect will be the producer himself!

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