Follow guidelines for proper storage of red and white wines

Published 6:29 pm Saturday, April 12, 2008

It’s never too early to start buying a small stock of delicious wines for the holiday season. Wine shops around the region are offering special holiday tastings that feature every kind of wine, from bold reds to off-dry whites to champagnes. And, with proper storage, your wines will taste just as wonderful at your holiday dinner party as they did in the wine shop.

A cool, dark place is best for wine storage, but many of us don’t have that kind of space in our home. A small wine refrigerator might be the solution you need. They

are easy to find, come in a variety of styles and sizes, and can accommodate any budget. Some models allow you to store red and white wines in the same unit.

Storing wine at the wrong temperature probably causes the most damage to an unopened bottle of wine. Both red and white wines should be stored somewhere in the range of 50 to 60 degrees, give or take a little.

“You don’t want them too hot or too cold,” said Paula Shively, manager of deVine Wines in Mill Creek.

All too often, people store their white wines in regular refrigerators, which typically are around 45 degrees. This can cause whites to go flat, loosing their acid balance and fruit characteristics. “We tend to get more flavor components if it’s not over-chilled,” Shively said. It is best to serve white wines at 50 to 55 degrees.

If red wine sits on your kitchen counter and gets too hot, it can loose its structure and texture. Or, if it’s stored in the garage and is too cold, it will loose its aroma.

“You are not getting everything you can out of your wine,” said Craig Ledbetter, wine steward at Fred Meyer in Mill Creek. It is best to serve red wine at 60 to 62 degrees.

Humidity also is a factor in correct wine storage. It needs to be constant and slightly higher than normal room humidity. Over time, low humidity can cause corks to dry out and shrink.

“You don’t want extremes,” Shively said.

Vibration is a concern, too. Wine refrigerators have little or none, so the natural sediment in the bottom of the bottle is not disturbed, Ledbetter said.

Small wine refrigerators come in all styles and sizes, and they can store up to 60 bottles of wine. You can buy countertop and under-the-counter models. You will find wood and stainless steel finishes and furniture pieces such as credenzas and cupboards that house wine refrigerators.

You can find them in most home improvement and department stores. When shopping for one, look for solid and durable construction. Cleaning should be a snap.

If you plan to store both red and white wines, consider buying one with dual temperature controls. Thermoelectric cooling will ensure no vibrations. Inside controls should be waterproof. If you have to put the unit in a place like the garage, check on the amount of insulation.

Overall, just make sure the model offers the same conditions as a wine cellar. Control of temperature, humidity, darkness and vibration will ensure that your wines age properly.