Storing wine when you don't have a cellar

As you begin to collect wines from your favorite shop or traveling to wineries you'll start to find bottles that you'd like to hold on to. Many of today's wines do not require aging as they are produced for almost immediate consumption. However, some of them will continue to develop and exhibit more refined characteristics.

With this in mind it's safe to say that not every wine lover has a wine cellar, or sometimes not even a basement. While oxygen will begin destroying wine (through oxidation) once it is opened, there are still some factors that you want to avoid before pulling the cork. The following information will help you to find and prepare a perfect place for storing your wines.

Temperature
Heat is the first of three factors that will reduce the lifespan of your wine. While wines are best served at varying temperatures depending on the style - more about that below - for storage and aging purposes a range of 56-58º Fahrenheit is ideal. Excess heat will cause wines to prematurely age and they won't last nearly as long.

So in prepping your closet, or other storage area, be sure that it is not exposed to a great deal of heat - say a furnace or air duct that would make the area particularly warm. If there isn't an area with cooler temperature, then the best alternative is to ensure that there is little variation. Hugh Johnson, co-author of The World Atlas of Wine, notes that "if coolness is impractical, steady warmth will do." Also try to keep humidity levels constant to the best of your ability.

As for serving wines, depending on the type and body of the wine there are different recommended temperatures to keep in mind. For full reds (Cabernet Sauvignon) try for 59-68º. For lighter reds (Pinot Noir) a lower range of 54-57º is acceptable. White and rosé wines will be best served between 46-57º while Champagne or other sparkling wine is perfect at 43-47º.

Light
Exposure to light is the second factor to avoid when creating a wine storage space. Excess light of any kind, including sunlight, will cause wine to break down. For this reason it is not advised to store wines in a place where they might be exposed to a lot of light. Not to mention light is usually accompanied by some degree of heat.

Since closets are small, windowless areas in a home they make an ideal area for storing wine so that it is not exposed to any direct light. However, if you have a space that meets the temperature requirements above, any darker area will suffice. Displaying your wine is a fun way to share your passion with others, however those really special bottles should be hidden away rather than left in a counter-top wine rack.

Noise
By this point you might wonder if you're tending a bottle of wine or an elderly loved one. Noise really does have an effect on wine to some extent, mostly in terms of vibration. Loud noises, or vibrations - say from a nearby washer or drier - will agitate your bottles. Avoiding areas where there might be a lot of these disruptions is something to think about.

In your closet you can consider layering a towel over each row of bottles to avoid shifting and also to minimize the impact of any noise or movement in the area. Also avoid storing wine in areas that might be next to a stereo, especially if louder music is being played frequently.

While you can store wine without spending any money, there are kits and books that can help you convert an unused space into a professional looking wine storage area. You can also look into investing in an inexpensive wine fridge. While they can chill bottles for you, they are also great for temperature control.

Overall, it should not be difficult to find an area in your home that can easily substitute for having a fancy wine cellar. If you're uncertain whether a wine needs to be aged be sure and ask your favorite wine specialist or salesperson. Avoiding extreme varying temperatures, exposure to light, and loud noises or strong vibrations will help you to keep wines for many years and enjoy them as they develop.

Cheers!

PS: Comment and share your ideas and techniques for storing wines!