If you like to keep plenty of white wine on hand for special occasions, family dinners, friends, and a Tuesday night (as do I), then you’ll need to make sure you have the proper storage.
White wine typically doesn’t age as well as red because it’s not as high in tannins, so you want to make sure you store it properly until you’re ready to drink it.
There are a few things to keep in mind when storing white wine, notably the white wine temp storage that will be best to keep the taste.
White Wine Temp Storage, What is the Ideal Temperature?
A temperature around 55 degrees is ideal. White wine can be stored in the fridge, but it will not last as long as if it is stored at a slightly higher temperature.
If you are going to drink your white wine within a week or two, it will be fine in the fridge. If you are planning on storing it for longer, you should consider keeping it in a wine cooler or cellar.
It’s important to note that the storage temperature for your wine isn’t necessarily the correct serving temperature. For most white wines, you’ll want to serve them slightly chilled, around 45-50 degrees.
That means that when you pull a bottle out of storage, you can chill it further than 55 degrees for a period of time without damaging the contents.
If you’re ready to serve a bottle, simply chill it for an hour or two in the refrigerator before serving.
However, it’s also important to remember that consistency is key. You don’t necessarily have to worry about your wine fluctuating a couple of degrees above or below 55 degrees.
If you store your wine at 55 degrees and then serve it at 45 degrees, this temperature change won’t damage the wine, either. But if you move your wine back and forth too many times or the temperature of the room in which you store it fluctuates a lot, your wine may suffer.
Where Should White Wine Be Kept?
White wine should be kept in a cool, dark place, like a wine cellar or cupboard. If you don’t have a wine cellar or temperature-controlled storage, the next best place would be a dark closet or pantry away from any heat source.
If you allow your white wine bottles to get too hot, the heat can cause the wine to expand, which will push the cork out of the bottle and let oxygen in.
This will cause your wine to spoil and develop off-flavors. If you allow your white wine to get too cold, the flavors will become muted.
If you have corked bottles, make sure to store the bottles on their sides so the wine can keep the cork moist. If the cork dries out, it will shrink and allow oxygen to enter the bottle, which will spoil the wine.
How Long Can White Wine Be Stored?
Unopened white wine can last for several years, but it will start to lose its flavor after a year or two. Once opened, white wine should be consumed within a few days.
If you want your white wine to last longer, consider investing in a wine preservation system.
Is Humidity Bad for White Wine?
When it comes to humidity, white wine should be kept in a place with moderate humidity. Too much humidity can cause the wine to spoil, while too little humidity can cause the wine to dry out.
There are several rooms in your house that have ideal humidity for storing white wine. The kitchen and bathroom are usually too humid, while the basement is usually too dry.
A closet or pantry away from any heat source is typically a good place to store white wine.
What About Light?
Light can cause a wine to spoil, so it’s important to keep your white wine in a dark place. If you are using a wine cooler, make sure the cooler is in a dark place.
If you are storing your wine in a cupboard or closet, consider covering the bottles with a cloth to keep out the light.
Should I Keep White Wine Away From Oxygen?
One final thing to consider is whether or not you want your white wine to be exposed to oxygen. If you are planning on drinking your white wine within a few days, it is not necessary to worry about this.
However, if you are planning on storing your white wine for a longer period of time, it is important to make sure that it is stored in a wine bottle with a screw top. This will ensure that the wine does not come into contact with too much oxygen and spoil.
Corked bottles of white wine can also be stored for a longer period of time if they are stored on their side so that the cork stays moist. If the cork dries out, it will shrink and allow oxygen to enter the bottle, which will spoil the wine.
