The Wine of The Month

The Four Enemies of Wine – Heat, Light, Humidity and Vibration

Having a love of good wine can be an expensive passion, with costs per bottle reaching astonishing heights. As wine matures over time, its value can soar, so it pays to invest in a means of protecting prized bottles from the fabled four enemies of wine – heat, light, humidity and vibration.

Heat

Wine experts estimate that raising the storage temperature of wine can increase the aging rate from anywhere between two and eight times. As any wine lover will know, this is not a good thing as compounds within The Wine need time to mature naturally. Unnatural aging can cause wine to acquire an unpleasant, harsh flavour.

A classic example of this unwanted effect is wine being left in a hot car. When left in this environment, wine over matures in a matter of hours. The ideal temperature for wine is between 4°C and 18°C. This consistency of temperature can only really be achieved in a specialist Wine Cooler or cellar.

Light

Too much exposure to light can dramatically affect the taste of wine. UV rays from the sun can cause some compounds in the wine to break down, which can produce some undesirable odours and a strange ‘off’ taste. Sunlight, and to some degree, fluorescent lighting, are light sources which are most problematic.

Regular light bulbs found in the home, which give out incandescent light, are not as much of a problem, but should still be limited whenever possible. Complete darkness is always the best environment for wine.

Humidity

The humidity of an area is another key factor to consider for Wine Storage. Low humidity can cause the cork to dry out and shrink, which can lead To Wine leaking from the bottle. In addition, any air that enters the bottle could oxidise the wine, resulting in loss of colour, taste and aroma.

In contrast, too much humidity can also create unwanted effects. High humidity can allow mould to grow on the cork and label but this is more of a cosmetic issue rather than a threat to the wine itself. The key is to choose an environment that will maintain a steady, moderate humidity.

Vibration

Finally, vibration or regular movement of a bottle of wine can cause sedimentation from the bottom of the bottle to circulate, reacting with the wine to produce unpleasant flavours and texture.

Although vibration is the least problematic of the four factors, it should still be minimised whenever possible. Cheap Wine Coolers will typically have electric motors which cause minute vibrations. Over time, these slight movements can affect the flavour of wine. Wines most at risk from vibration are the more delicate varieties, such as a Pinot Grigio.

In summary, it’s best to store your precious wine in a cool, dark, moderately humid place, where it won’t be subject to movement. Traditional methods of
wine storage
, such as cellars, are seldom available in modern homes but thankfully modern wine coolers allow collectors to protect their prized wines in virtually any space.
Wine preservation
is an art, so whether you’re storing it for your own enjoyment or as an investment for the future, it pays to take care of it.

The Script – For the first time [ music video ]