Storing Bottled Wine

The adage "the cellar makes the wine" underscores the importance of storage conditions in determining wine quality. Ideal cellar characteristics include:

• Temperature: Maintain an ambient temperature between 15°C (59°F) and 20°C (68°F), with minimal variation daily and yearly.
• Humidity: Keep humidity levels between 50% and 70%.
• Pest Control: The cellar should be free of insects and rodents, except for spiders, which are beneficial in controlling other pests.
• Materials: Avoid chemically treated wood in the cellar construction.
• Odor-Free Environment: The cellar should not have any strong odors and should not store chemical products like paints or cleaning agents.
• Bottle Positioning: Store bottles horizontally to ensure the wine remains in contact with the stopper, maintaining its elasticity and sealing properties.