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If you’re in the market for a good wine rack, chances are you’ve got a generous stock of vino with plenty of shelf life left. Every oenophile knows that proper storage is the key to making sure those bottles of cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, or syrah stay fresh, not to mention keeping your collection well-organized and properly-displayed. Here’s what you need to know as you’re shopping for the best wine racks.
How to Store Wine Properly at Home
For most wines that you plan to pop open within a few years, you don’t need a dedicated cellar for storage. Any cool, dry corner will do, as long as you’re mindful of the following:
Temperature:The general rule of thumb is to keep your wines in a spot where the temperature is between 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Any hotter (70 degrees or higher), and you’ll risk “cooking” your wines; any cooler, and the air might dry out the corks and damage your wine.
Light:Keep your wine away from direct sunlight as the UV rays can also age your vino. (That’s why they’re stored in colored bottles, which keep out the sun).
Humidity:To avoid your corks drying out, the ideal humidity range for storing wines is between 50 to 80 percent. Unless your locale is extremely hot or cold, most places are safe for your wine, and most bottles are sealed tight enough so that you don’t need to worry about damage from mold in damp areas.
Storage position: The main reason why wine bottles are stored on their sides? Horizontal storage keeps the wine against the cork, which prevents the stoppers from drying out. Most wines will fare well if they’re upright, especially if they’re meant to be opened within a few years or they have glass or plastic toppers or screw-on caps.
Whether you’re growing your vino collection or shopping for gifts for wine lovers, we’ve found some wine bottle racks for every type of oenophile — check out our favorite picks below.
