For wine purveyors interested in providing the correct controls for temperature, humidity and exposure to light while protecting their costly investments, there are a number of options available to achieve this purpose.
What to Consider When Storing Wine
Fluctuations in temperature will impact how wine ages. Without control over the proper humidity level, the cork is subject to expansion and contraction. Storing wine bottles on their sides ensures their corks remain wet, which allows for proper consistent expansion. This is essential in preventing wine from escaping while keeping oxygen from causing it to turn to vinegar.Further, the exposure to fluorescent light can cause wine to age faster. Ultra-violet light is capable of penetrating even dark wine bottles. Wines that are over exposed to light may be rendered undrinkable due to a condition known as being "light struck." Wine is a living spirit reacting either positively or negatively to its environment. Vibration caused by devices or produced by sound waves will disturb sediments and interfere with the process of fermentation.
What's All the Fuss About Serving Temperature?
Tannins are more assertive and a characteristic quality of red wines while the fruitiness in a cooler wine will balance this dry, sometimes bitter compound. Similarly, the acidity of a wine can be enhanced when chilled. A perception of higher acidity will add a refreshing quality to the wine, which is really why both white and red wines are chilled. Serving wines that are too warm does a god job of bringing out all the imperfections.Recommended Serving Temperatures:
- Medium to Full-Bodied Red Wines: 62-66°F or 16-18°C
- Medium to Light-Bodied Red Wines: 55-60°F or 12-16°C
- Medium to Full-Bodied White Wines: 50°F or 10°C
- Light to Medium-Bodied White Wines: 45-50°F or 7-10°C
- Rose, Blush and Dry White Wines: 46-57°F or 8-14°C
Refrigeration Products
Choose from small economical units to full-size merchandisers. We even carry a compact counter-top wine chiller with capacity for upright storage of eight opened bottles and a glass panel for viewing labels. This unit will become invaluable to your operation whenever you prepare for serving. Browse our full range of Summit refrigeration products to find the best solution for all your wine storing and serving needs.
The common enemies that will undermine a fine wine collection are easy enough to avoid when proper storage methods are used. Standard refrigerators that are also used to store food will introduce the threat of pervasive smells or flavors that can taint the wine through the cork. Sharing regular refrigeration will also subject wine to temperatures that are too cold and an atmosphere that is too dry.
In general, the ideal conditions for storing wine is a temperature that ranges between 45-55 degrees Fahrenheit or 8-13 degrees Celsius with 70 percent humidity. This is why a wine cellar is often a preferred method of storage.
For storing reds and whites at their proper temperatures in the same Summit wine cellar, visit www.moranusa.com and take a look at these gorgeous models: SWC1545, SWC1875, SWC1875B and SWC1965. All are commercially approved and their elegant styling and competitive pricing would also make a beautiful addition to the home wine cellar.At their essence, each wine has an ideal serving temperature as it influences four distinctive aspects of how the mind perceives wine: aromatics, acidity, sugars and tannins. When wine is too hot, the alcohol can overpower the aromatics; too cold, and there may be no sense of the layered aromatic compounds that are experienced when the temperature is just right.
We recommend the Summit STC-1 counter-top wine chiller to properly prepare your wines for serving. This no mess solution will protect your investment and please your customers. View the Summit STC-1.
Newly introduced in 2012, the compact counter-top wine chiller, STC-1 is the perfect tool for winery tasting rooms and in-shop tastings . Set on the counter, the STC-1 stores 8 bottles of wine upright. With the digital temperature control set anywhere between 46 and 66 degrees F, proper serving temperature will be maintained throughout the day.
Many of our winery customers have purchased multiple units for their tasting rooms. They appreciate having their wine in full view of their customers, chilled and ready to serve. A glass window allows full view of the wine labels. Operation is completely quiet, with no damaging vibrations. This earth-friendly unit has no CFCs, HCFCs or other environment damaging chemicals. Parts and labor are warrantied for one year.
Humidity, temperature and light are all easily controlled with any of our Summit Commercial Wine Refrigeration products. Special features, on select models, include digital controls that allow you to set different temperature zones within the same cooler for a variety of wines to be stored at their optimal cooling temperatures. There are dual-, three- and multi-zoned coolers with shelves that easily slide to adjust for visibility and accessibility.
