“Men are like a fine wine. They start out as grapes. It’s our job to stomp them, and then keep them in the dark until they mature. And hopefully they’ll turn out to be something we would like to have dinner with.”

Ever found yourself staring at that lonely bottle of wine sitting on the shelf and thought, “If I leave it there long enough, will it become magical like fine art?” Or, better yet, “Will it turn into vinegar and hold my salad hostage?” Yeah, me too. So, I did some digging (by that I mean Googling and pretending I read some books), and voilà—I’ve got answers!

Does all wine get better with age?

Unfortunately, no. Sorry, your budget-friendly grocery wine isn’t a fine vintage. Everyday wines are like your new shoes—better enjoyed sooner rather than later. When it comes to aging, you want to look for the sophisticated, tuxedo-wearing types: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Burgundy, Chianti, or red Bordeaux, for example. The kind that would smoke cigars if bottles had hands. And yes, even some whites get in on the aging action, like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling—though they like to keep it short and sweet, two or three years max. They’re not about that eternal youth life. 

 Do I need a wine cellar, or can I just shove it under the bed?

No need to dig a cave under your house. Wine does hate sunlight, heat, and vibrations though—basically, it’s a diva. So, keep it far away from your buzzing fridge and laundry room. A dark closet or boxing up your bottles should do the trick. Of course, if you’re feeling fancy, a wine fridge will give your bottles the VIP treatment. Just tell your regular fridge not to get jealous.

What’s the ideal temperature for wine?

Wine has temperature standards (like some people and their coffee). For long-term storage, keep it between 42 and 65 degrees F. Too warm and your wine will start maturing faster than your high school yearbook photos. Too cold, and your wine might wonder if you’ve moved to the Arctic. If you’re just storing it short-term, don’t sweat it (literally). But remember: no wine should be served above 68ºF—unless you want to serve hot grape juice.

Storage Tips: 

    • Live in a hot or cold climate? Wine fridges are your best friend. If you don’t want to splurge, ask your local wine store if they offer storage services (although, that might sound like you’re trying to board a pet).

    • Store bottles horizontally to keep that cork moist and prevent cracking (no one wants extra air sneaking in like an uninvited guest at a party).

    • Whatever you do, do NOT put wine in the freezer. Unless you’re into exploding bottles and wine-flavored snow cones.

    • Humidity wrecks wine labels faster than a rainstorm on a picnic. Slap on some plastic protectors if you want your wine looking sharp when it’s time to pop the cork.

Oh, and by the way, I splurged on an 80-bottle Evolution Wine Cooler about 10 years ago, and it still makes me feel like I own a winery. Best. Purchase. Ever. My wine’s living better than I am!ive years and still love it today. It was a great purchase and absolutely worth the money.

 Sources:  Wine Deck, Wine Spectator and BetterTastingWine.com