| Many boomers are very serious about their wine | | | | for five, 10, and even 15 years to get taste |
| collections and want to protect their investments. | | | | you're looking for. |
| Many are looking to have wine cellars built or wine | | | | Re-cork Open Wine Bottles |
| coolers installed in their kitchens. A good bottle of | | | | If you're like me, the wine never lasts long |
| wine usually never lasts long in my hands, but I | | | | enough to stick a cork back in it. But if you've |
| figured I'd pass along some wine storage tips for | | | | opened up any old bottle of Chardonnay or |
| those planning to start a wine collection: | | | | what-have-you, and can't finish it, re-cork it. Put it |
| Keep Wine Temps Down | | | | in your fridge. Since any type of wine - red, |
| Make sure the wine bottles are stored at a | | | | white, rose - will "flatten", make sure you finish it |
| consistent temperature (usually between 53 and | | | | off within 3 days of opening it. |
| 59 degrees Fahrenheit, with 55% to 75% | | | | How Long to Age? |
| humidity.) Keeping temps constant is a key. One | | | | Red wines usually age best. The flavor will mature |
| of your best bets is a wine cellar in your | | | | when the acidic tannins fade. Ask your wine shop |
| basement or a wine fridge in your kitchen. | | | | about how long to keep it on ice. Some wines |
| Without those options, don't rack the wine in a | | | | should be finished off immediately and some |
| warm, bright area - keep them in a dark place, | | | | (depending on the grape, vintage, etc.) should be |
| low to the ground. | | | | stored for years. If the shop doesn't know, you |
| If you have a cellar installed, make sure they put | | | | can check with the maker of the wine - they |
| the lights on a timer so that the heat from the | | | | usually have the details on their websites. They |
| lamps don't interfere with temperatures. | | | | are the source and they know when their grapes |
| Store the Wine on it's Side? | | | | will peak. |
| Yes. I usually keep myself on my side after I've | | | | Mahogany? |
| stored a lot of wine... | | | | You've heard mahogany is the best wood to use |
| Age is Relative | | | | in a wine cellar? You've heard right. It's a great |
| How long to age the wine? Depends on your | | | | hardwood that is durable and helps protect the |
| taste. If you prefer a bold, flavorful wine you can | | | | wine. Pine, birch, and oak can retain water and |
| open it right away. However, if you prefer a | | | | start to rot after an extended period. Some of |
| more mature, mellow flavor, you can age a bottle | | | | the best cellars in the world use mahogany. |