Wine drinking has been growing in popularity for years. As one of our most ancient vices, for a long time the price of wine and the added complications of knowing varieties and origins and pairings, made wine difficult to access for many who left it for toasts at weddings.
In the early 1990’s wines from ‘the new world’ places like South Africa, South America and Australia, began to flood the market with high quality wine for prices that made wine accessible to all. When later Californian wines began to hit the mass-market, traditional vineyards had to respond, and the price of quality wine dropped, bringing the joys of the grape to all.
Since then, wine has become the drink of choice for dinner guests and house parties, and a rise in production of sparkling wines like Prosecco and Cava have made them an option for every occasion, and not just celebrations. With our increased interest in wine, many new wine connoisseurs have a unique problem to solve, where do I store my wine? Here we are going to look at some options to help keep your wine at its best, and store it safely and securely so it’s ready right when you need it.
The Humble Wine Rack
Keeping wine in the cupboard isn’t the best solution. If your wine has a traditional ‘cork’, made of cork, then it is important that the wine is stored on its side so the wine keeps the cork moist. If the cork dries, air will seep into the bottle and the wine will sour. This is what is happens when a wine is ‘corked’. Plastic ‘corks’ are becoming more widely used, but a more expensive bottle that you may save for a special occasion will likely have a traditional cork and should be rested on its side, so it would be wise to get a wine rack to protect your investment.
A Traditional Cellar
If you are lucky enough to have a cellar or basement in your home, then this can be a perfect place for you to store your wine collection. Even if you just have a few bottles, a cellar allows you to keep the wine in a cool, dark place and, when stored correctly, wine can last several lifetimes. Wine can often be a sound financial investment, and the biggest wine connoisseurs and collectors will often use companies like Octavian, that offer private wine storage where your wine will be protected and cared for by experienced wine lovers.
Put it on Display
Don’t hide your collection away in a cupboard or cellar if you want to make the most of it. There are many ornate and attractive wine displays available for the home that show your collection off, and make it easily accessible for an impromptu tasting session with friends.
The world of wine can be as complex and rewarding as its taste. Think about how you store your wine so that it is at its best and ready for you when you need it.