Lee Harbert’s Tips on How to Store Wine

With a recent donation of wine to an annual silent auction, Lee Harbert used his enjoyment of wine to benefit a local charity. Lee Harbert has a sophisticated taste for wine, which has led him to study wine and the best ways to preserve it. If you are interested in storing expensive wines, Lee Harbert suggests considering the following factors in your wine storage system.

Direct Lighting Hazards

Wine should be stored away from light in order to protect it from light and heat. Both of these issues can be detrimental to the longevity of the vintage. Lee Harbert advises resisting the urge to display your wine in plain view, as the light and heat will likely damage it. Instead, create a cool, dark space for wine storage.

Temperature Control

Most wine experts recommend maintaining a cool atmosphere for your wine, ideally somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Since these temperatures would be far too cool for an average household, devising a system that guards the wine from direct heat his crucial. Lee Harbert recommends using a closet that can be kept sealed most of the time. Consistency is also important in the process of aging wine, since temperatures alternating between hot and cold can interrupt the maturing of the wine.

Oxidation Issues

It is essential to keep the cork wet, according to Lee Harbert. If a wine bottle is stored improperly, the cork could dry out and allow air to enter into the bottle, which can cause oxidation. To prevent this problem, Lee Harbert suggests laying bottles on their sides or even cork side down to maintain a damp cork.

Movement Disturbances

Vibrations and constant movement can jostle wines and cause components of the wines to break down. Lee Harbert recommends storing your wine in a secluded portion of your home to prevent constant movement.