Do You Refrigerate Wine? (Tips For Storing Opened & Unopened Wine)

Should you refrigerate your (opened or unopened) wine? 

This handy guide will help you out of this tricky situation!

Read on to find out when do you refrigerate wine, how you should store opened wine, how long an opened bottle will last, and the best ways to store an unopened bottle.

Do You Refrigerate Wine? 

With a proper wine preservation system, you can enjoy your open bottle later without compromising the aroma and flavor notes too much. 

Here’s what you need to know about both unopened and leftover wine:

Should you refrigerate unopened wine in a regular fridge? 

If you plan on storing your unopened wine for the long-term (more than 6 months) don’t place the bottle in a regular fridge. 

Instead, opt for a special wine fridge or wine cooler where you can set the optimal wine storage temperature for your bottles.

Should you refrigerate wine before serving it?

To chill a wine bottle to the ideal temperature, you can pop it in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

When it comes to red wine, you only have to chill it slightly for up to an hour (unless it’s a sparkling wine like Lambrusco.) 

Refrigerated red wine may taste overly cold to some people. Combat this by taking your leftover wine out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before you plan to drink it. 

Should you refrigerate opened wine? 

Yes. You must refrigerate your open bottle after you reseal it to maintain ideal temperature conditions. The cold temperature will slow oxidation (air entering the wine), prolonging the drinking window of your bottle.  

So, here are some tried and tested tips on wine preservation and storing open wine:

• Sealing The Bottle: The easiest way to make sure your open wine bottle stays fresh for longer is to re-cork it after every pour. If you can’t get the cork back into the bottle, use a wine stopper or a piece of plastic wrap secured with a rubber band. 
• Pour The Wine Into A Smaller Bottle: If you have a half bottle of wine left, pour it into a smaller container (a 375ml bottle works great.) By doing this, you’re limiting the amount of wine that’s exposed to oxygen, thereby extending your wine’s shelf life. 

How Long Will An Opened Wine Bottle Last If You Refrigerate It?

Here’s a quick guide to how long an opened wine bottle will last once you’ve re-corked and refrigerated it:

1. Red Wine

• Light-bodied red wine (Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Barbera, and Grenache): 1-3 days
• Full-bodied red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah): 4-5 days

2. White Wine

• Light-bodied white wine (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Riesling): 3-5 days
• Full-bodied white wine (Chardonnay and Viognier): 2-3 days

3. Other Wines

• Rose wine: 5-7 days
• Sparkling wine (Prosecco, Cava, and Champagne): 1-3 days
• Fortified wine (Madeira and Sherry): 2-28 days
• Dessert wine (Sauternes, Moscato, and Gewürztraminer): 2-3 weeks

You don’t run the risk of ingesting spoiled wine if you consume your opened wine bottle after this period but it will definitely not taste as good. Old wine tends to develop unpleasant vinegar and yeast-like odor and flavor.  

Now, what if you haven’t opened your bottle yet?

How Do You Store Unopened Wine?

Follow these tips to store your unopened wine properly:

1. Chose A Suitable Wine Storage
2. Keep The Bottle In An Accessible Spot
3. Store Your Wine Away From Heat and Light
4. Place The Bottle On Its Side
5. Ensure The Temperature Remains Unchanged

1. Chose A Suitable Wine Storage

Whether you’re an avid wine collector or wine lover in the making, it’s important to suitably store your wine. Here are a few options:

• Wine Cellar: If you have a vast wine collection and have the space and budget, a wine cellar is your best option. (Also, helps in impressing your wine lover friends!)
• Wine Cooler: A wine cooler or wine refrigerator is a great option if you have a small collection.
• External Wine Storage: If you have a large wine collection, but don’t want to worry about storing it yourself, a professional wine storage service may be your best option. Wine investment companies like Vinovest offer state-of-the-art wine storage facilities where you can store all your wine bottles at optimal conditions.

2. Store Your Wine Away From Heat and Light

Ensure the wine bottles are kept in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. So don’t store your wine on top of your refrigerator or in front of a window, for example.

3. Place The Bottle On Its Side

The cork retains its moisture when the wine bottle is stored on its side. If it’s standing upright for a long time, the cork will dry out, leaving you with a compromised wine bottle. 

The easiest way to store wine so the cork stays moist is to place the bottles horizontally on a wine rack.

4. Ensure The Temperature Remains Unchanged

A consistent wine storage temperature is essential if you’re aging your wine. Inconsistent temperatures can affect the chemical processes in the wine as it ages, affecting the taste and aromas adversely.

Chill and Refill Your Wine!

If you want to enjoy the aroma and flavor notes of your favorite bottle of opened wine for a few more days, make sure you refrigerate it. 

And, if you wish to preserve your unopened fine wine bottles in the long run, check out Vinovest and take advantage of their professional wine storage facilities today.