What temperature should I store my Wine? - An Answer to the age-old question

After investing and building up your dream wine collection, so much so that you could not possibly drink all of it right away! (Or maybe you can.) The next step is proper storage and with that comes keeping it in a temperature-controlled environment. 

The most important characteristic of a cellar is its temperature. Both red and white wines need and can be stored in the same temperature-managed wine cellar. Wine storage is a perfect balance of keeping it cool but not too cool. If it’s too warm you’ll “cook” your wine, resulting in flat aromas and flavors. Wine stored in a warmer setting will change a little more quickly than wines stored in a cooler environment. If it’s too cool, the lack of moisture could eventually dry out the corks, which may jeopardize your wine by allowing air to seep into the bottles. If you're storing your wine in a location where your wine can freeze (such as a garage), it could expand enough to push the cork out. 

So then what is the optimal temperature for wine storage?

The simple and most agreed-upon numbers are between 45 and 65. 55 degrees is often cited as close to perfect and the number you’ll hear the most often. However, just like anything, it’s not an exact science. If there is not a large change in temperature each day, your wine will be safe even if the ambient temperature is not at the golden 55 degrees. Consistency is one of the most important and basic principles for your wine storage. 

What about humidity?

Another factor when it comes to the climate of your wine cellar is humidity. There’s a reason you use refrigeration systems over your standard air conditioner. You will need a relative humidity of between 60% to 70%. At higher levels, the excessive humidity levels in the air can increase the risk of the rapid spread of fungus and the development of mold on the corks in your wine bottles. If the cellar is too dry, the watertight seal of the cork will be threatened (and dried out just as it would if the temperature was too high.) 

As you can see, a climate-controlled wine cellar is an important tenant in the preservation of wine collecting.  

-California Custom Cellars