The ideal red wine temperature storage is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Please note that this is different than the wine serving temperature, which is typically between 60 to 65 degrees for reds. Stability is also important as swings in temperature may cause premature aging. Check the temperature inside your cellar year-round as there may be temperature fluctuations from season to season.

• Consistent temperature is key. Maintaining a temperature of 55◦F with little to no temperature fluctuations is important. Warmer temperatures will age wine too quickly. Too cold and the wine will develop too slowly.

• Humidity around 70% will keep the corks moist. If the corks become too dry, air will creep into the bottle and cause oxidization.

• Darkness is important. UV rays can negatively affect the flavors and aroma of the wine.

• Vibration will not only cause chemical reactions but also kick up sediment inside the bottle.

• Store the bottle horizontally so that the liquid touches the cork and keeps it moist.

Some wine lovers are lucky enough to own a wine cellar or the space and budget to build one. If you do not have a wine cellar, a wine refrigerator or cabinet are great alternatives. While it may not be worth it to invest in storage if you are only buying wine once a month (or less), if you are spending hundreds to thousands of dollars on wine, proper storage is necessary.

The storage temperature for wine is different than its serving temperature. The chart below shows the optimal drinking temperature for different types of wine, including red. When it comes time to serving wine, remove the bottle from the wine cellar and bring it to its proper serving temperature. This may require chilling the wine further or allowing it to sit at room temperature.