Storing wine: how and for how long?

Most wines are made to be drunk within a few years. Great reds can age for many years, provided you store them well.

The ideal place

Cool, dark and still: a constant temperature between 10 and 15 degrees is ideal. Big fluctuations, light and vibration age wine faster. A cellar or wine fridge is perfect, the kitchen or the attic is not.

Lying down or upright?

Bottles with a natural cork are stored lying down so the cork stays moist and airtight. Bottles with a screw cap can stand upright.

How long?

Fresh whites, rosé and easy reds are best drunk within two to three years. Great reds such as Barolo, Brunello, Amarone or Châteauneuf-du-Pape can evolve for ten years and more. A Riesling Grand Cru also ages beautifully.

An opened bottle

Close an opened bottle again and keep it in the fridge, red wine too. White will keep for two to three days, red for three to five. Sparkling wine keeps with a special champagne stopper.