USAGE & STORAGE TIPS
• Only pull out one shelf at a time. Never attempt to pull more than one.
• Disperse the bottles evenly to avoid concentrating weight in one place.
• Bottles must not touch the back of the cabinet.
• You can increase your wine fridge's storage capacity by removing shelves and
stacking bottles on top of one another. Do not stack more than 2 rows of bottles per
shelf.
• The ideal temperature for long-term or short-term wine storage is around 55°F
(13°C), but this can vary from wine to wine.
• Wine should never be kept below 25°F (-4°C), which can cause wine to freeze, or
above 68°F (20°C), which can accelerate the aging process and destroy volatile
compounds.
• Keep your wine in the dark as much as possible. UV rays from direct sunlight can
damage wine's flavors and aromas.
• You should also keep wines away from sources of vibration, they can disturb
sediments in the bottle, disrupting the delicate process that causes wines to age
favorably.
• At lower humidity levels, your corks can dry out, leaving the wine vulnerable to the
effects of oxygen, while higher humidity can cause labels to peel off the bottles,
making them difficult to display or sell.
• In general, your wine cellar humidity should be between 60 and 68 percent.
• The key to extending the shelf life of an open wine and retain its original qualities is
to recork it promptly and tightly.
• To recork wine, place some wax paper around the cork and slide it back into its
original position. The wax will ease the cork into the top and also ensure that no stray
parts of the cork drop into the bottle.
• If recorking isn't an option, a rubber wine stopper or a wine vacuum pump can create
an airtight seal.
• While most wines today are meant to be drunk "young" (within a few years of
production) some fine wines are best served by proper aging. But aging too long can
decrease the flavor of the wine.
• Generally speaking, red wines can age longer than white wines, but here is a storage
guide for some popular vintages.
Cabernet Sauvignon.............. 7-10 years
Pinot Noir................................... 5 years
Merlot ..................................... 3-5 years
Zinfandel ................................. 2-5 years
Beaujolais ............................. Drink now
Chardonnay ............................ 2-3 years
Riesling ................................... 3-5 years
Sauvignon Blanc .... 18 months – 2 years
Pinot Gris ................................ 1-2 years
Champagne .................... Ready to drink
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