Wine is a timeless beverage that has brought people together for millennia, weaving a rich tapestry of history, culture, and artistry in every bottle. Each sip tells a story, inviting us to explore the nuances of its origins and the skilled craftsmanship that brings it to life. Wines designed to age can rest for decades, developing intricate layers of complexity and revealing exquisite aromas and flavors that unfold only with time. Proper storage is essential to ensure these treasures are ready for enjoyment when the moment calls. In this edition of our newsletter, we’ll delve into the best practices for storing your wines, so you can savor every drop. With the holiday season fast approaching, we’ve also curated a luxurious holiday wine guide that will surely impress your friends and family, all while celebrating the beverage that unites us in joyous gatherings.
Preserving Wine Quality
Why Wine Storage Matters
Just like grapes on the vine during the growing season, wine in bottle is also highly susceptible to changes in its environment. This means proper care must be taken when storing wine to ensure your favorite bottles are aging gracefully. There are five enemies of wine to keep in mind so your wine can rightfully shine when it’s finally opened: temperature, humidity, light, positioning, and external odors.
The Five Enemies of Wine
Temperature, Humidity, Light, Position, and External Odors
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- Temperature – Changes in temperature can greatly impact your wine and even render it undrinkable. When wine is too warm, it can become “cooked” or prematurely oxidized. Wine that gets too cold can expand and even freeze due to the water content, which could push out the cork. The cork could even explode! To prevent any unwanted changes caused by temperature, store your wine in a place where the climate is maintained between 53-57º F regardless of wine style (red, white, sparkling, etc.).
- Humidity –There is a fine balance of humidity needed to maintain the integrity of your wine. If the air is too dry, corks can dry out and even shrivel up which can cause oxidation. But, too much moisture can cause cellars and corks to mold.
- Light – Extended exposure to strong ultraviolet (UV) light, as in sunlight, can destroy tannins and lead to premature oxidation which can jeopardize the aging process. Tannins bring structure to a wine, but they also act as a preservative. UV exposure can also cause wine to become cloudy or develop strong odors and unpleasant flavors.
- Position – By laying wine bottles on their side, the cork remains hydrated which is important for longevity. It’s also important not to shake wine bottles or cause unnecessary vibrations that can damage the structure of the wine. Think about a bottle of soda that’s gone flat –– not a pleasurable drinking experience!
- Odors – Corks play a crucial role in the aging process by allowing just the right amount of oxygen to enter a wine bottle, significantly influencing how a wine evolves over time. However, the surrounding environment can also have a profound impact. Unpleasant odors in the air can alter the wine’s flavors and aromas in unfavorable ways. To ensure the best possible experience, store your wine away from sources of contamination, like oil leaks in the garage or trash cans. Instead, choose a location with clean, fresh air to protect and enhance the integrity of your wines.
Storing Wine for the Long Haul
No wine cellar? No problem!
For those of us without a lavish wine cellar in our homes, we have to get creative for our long-term wine storage. But storing wine for the long haul doesn’t have to be complicated or all that expensive.
A popular option that takes the guesswork out of proper humidity and temperature control is a wine fridge. Some models even detect vibrations and unwanted odors. Wine fridges range in size, shape, capacity, and more; meaning, there’s an option for every style, wine drinker, and budget. In a similar, less-tech-savvy vein, wine racks are also a popular and effective storage solution. Just like a fridge, there are countless styles of wine racks built to fit your needs and space.
For an even simpler approach to wine storage, you can skip the rack or fridge altogether—provided your basement or garage is free of strong odors and excess moisture. To protect your wine from light exposure, store it on its side in a cupboard or pantry. Covering the bottles with a blanket not only shields them from the light but can also help maintain the ideal storage temperature during colder months. This straightforward method ensures your wines remain in optimal conditions without the need for specialized equipment.
Curated Holiday Wine Selections
The holiday season is a cherished time for gathering with friends and family, allowing us to reflect on the joys, challenges, and triumphs of the year. That sense of reflection feels even more meaningful now after the bustling wine harvest which demands immense energy and teamwork. By curating an exceptional wine experience, you’ll not only impress your guests but also foster memorable conversations that linger long after the last glass is poured. Explore our holiday wine selections, featuring luxurious Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir, all designed to elevate your dinner and treat both you and your guests to an unforgettable tasting journey.
Arguably one of the most important red wines from Australia, the Armagh Shiraz is renowned for expressive aromas, great richness, and graceful structure. The 2021 is full of energy, with acidity and tannin giving great tension to the waves of bright, fresh red and purple fruit. The perfect growing season has given an Armagh that magnifies all the best characteristics of the vineyard, distilled down to a wine displaying power and finesse not previously seen from this site.
Food Pairing Ideas: Beef Wellington, beef bourguignon, and steak au poivre.
2015 Jim Barry The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon
The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon has been created with the Jim Barry philosophy to be enjoyed upon release after a period of long-term cellaring to enhance the wine’s qualities. This wine is intensely aromatic with a mix of dark vine fruits, dark chocolate, fresh garden herbs, cedar oak, and a touch of earth. The palate is flooded with generous dark berry flavors with savory notes of earth, clove, and cedar. Very fine, mineralic tannin lends length and style to a wine of great presence and persistence.
Food Pairing Ideas: Mushroom dishes, like risotto, Shepard’s pie, and char-grilled lamb lollipops.
The Appassionata Estate Barrel Cave Tour and Tasting Experience
The Appassionata Pinot Noir Sonata
2019 Appassionata Allegro Pinot Noir
This cuvée is a selection of barrels that show a precocious liveliness that will drink well as a youthful wine, but is also built for aging. It is bottled after 18-20 months in barrel and released a minimum of three years after the vintage. The 2019 is delicately textured, but dark in tone and richly flavored, with an insistent edge of black cherry fruit, and a juicy, lifted finish. The Allegro Pinot Noir beautifully displays the initial stages of bottle maturation and will age gracefully for many years.
- Food Pairing Ideas: Beef tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes, and bacon stuffed mushrooms.
2017 Appassionata Andante Pinot Noir
The Andante Pinot Noir is held longer in the cellar than Allegro and is released five or more years after the vintage. Made with the same patience and restraint, this bottling is selected to emphasize elegance and refinement. The 2017 Andante exhibits great aromatic and textural finesse, with delicately pretty fruit and a silky, harmonious texture. The hint of extract sweetness that emerges on the finish is exactly what we’re looking for as a Pinot Noir matures.
- Food Pairing Ideas: Assorted soft cheeses, like Brie, camembert, and goat cheese, and roasted pork loin with fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary.
2013 Appassionata Fortissimo Pinot Noir
Selected for ultimate expressivity and longevity, the Appassionata Pinot Noir finale, Fortissimo, is aged for at least 10 years in the bottle before it is released. With a decade of maturity, the wine becomes a more complete experience, evolving seamlessly across the palate and finishing with a fine extract sweetness, which is the hallmark of any great Pinot Noir. This cuvée epitomizes what we are seeking in Willamette Valley Pinot Noir—a wine that combines brooding intensity with lilting grace and can stand among the classic wines of the world for generations to come.
- Food Pairing Ideas: Pot roast with root vegetables and potatoes, chicken Marsala with a creamy mascarpone sauce, and Cornish game hen with an apricot glaze.
As you embark on your wine journey this holiday season, remember that proper storage is the key to preserving the quality and flavor of your adored bottles. By following our guidelines, you can ensure your wines are ready to impress when the moment is called. Pair these exceptional selections from our luxurious holiday wine guide with thoughtfully curated food suggestions, transforming your gatherings into unforgettable experiences. Cheers to savoring every drop and celebrating the season with great wine and even better company!
