Now Is The Time To Sort Out Your Wine Collection.

Lockdowns and travel restrictions created in response to COVID-19 mean we have all spent the majority of the year within the four walls of our homes. Many of us have taken this time to renovate, redesign or redecorate, lockdown in its various forms present the perfect opportunity to indulge your organisational side.

For wine lovers and appreciators, being confined to the home gives you a chance to finally sort out your wine collection. Whether you are a new wine enthusiast who is starting to develop your collection or a long-time connoisseur who needs to sort out their stock, lockdown is prime time to organise your storage solutions.

Here are some key organisational points to keep in mind if you are looking to improve, preserve and nurture your wine collection.

Get the right temperature

When it comes to wine storage, we all know temperature is crucial. Therefore, it is vital that you organise your wine collection to be kept in a space or location that has some element of temperature control.

Wine should ideally be stored between 12-13 degrees Celsius at humidity levels between 60 and 80 per cent. Darkness is also crucial, so consider organising space for your collection in an area that is dark and cool.

Think carefully about your storage solution

While some of us are more than happy to keep our wine in a designated shelf in the fridge, others may reap the rewards of a specific wine storage unit that stores our bottles in optimum conditions. How do you know which group you fall into?

If you do not have an expansive collection and plan to consume its contents within the next few months, then a refrigerator is sufficient as a storage solution. However, those who would like to dabble in ageing will find it imperative to invest in a quality wine fridge, like those from Grand Cru Wine Fridges. 

Wine storage is all about consistent temperature, which a dedicated fridge can help you achieve by restricting fluctuations and protecting against maderisation. Specialised wine fridges also reduce vibrational movement to ensure your wine is not being constantly stirred, while the horizontal storage layout means that the wine stays in contact with the cork to prevent it from drying out.

To age or not to age?

Not sure which bottles to age, and which ones to enjoy with your next family dinner? Price is a reliable indicator of ageing ability – a more expensive bottle of wine is likely to have better ageability than one that gave change from a $20 note. Quality level is also key, so look for classifications on the bottle to assess its ageing potential.

As a rule of thumb, vintages are prime ageing wines, as are young wines that are tannic – time will allow the tannins to soften and make the wine more palatable, making it easier to drink 20 years down the track rather than within the first five years of harvest.

For premium wine storage units that combine function and innovation with sophisticated design, look no further than Grand Cru Wine Fridges. Explore our luxury wine fridges today at www.grandcruwinefridges.com.au.