SMART WINE STORAGE

THE BEST SOLUTIONS TO KEEP YOUR BOTTLES IN OPTIMAL CONDITION

- AMELIA THORPE

IDEAL ARRANGEMENT Traditionally, wine is stored in underground cellars, which naturally provide excellent conditions thanks to their constant temperature and humidity, and lack of natural light. Today, however, many of us want to display our wine with bottles ready for drinking near the dining table or kitchen island, so there are a variety of solutions, including temperature-controlled wine rooms and conditioning cabinets, to suit different needs.

A dark, cool, humid and vibration-free environment is the starting point, advises Mark Dickens, creative director and co-owner of cellar specialist Spiral Cellars. ‘Provided wine is kept at a steady temperature within a window of around 10C to 18C, it will be absolutely fine,’ he explains. ‘The key is to avoid significant and repeated fluctuations in temperature.’ Bottles are best stored on their sides, so that the corks don’t dry out, and you may need to remove them from their storage setting to ready them for drinking. Serving temperatures vary according to individual preference and type of wine; for more details consult wine expert Jancis Robinson’s website (jancisrobinson.com).