The Causes of Wine Spoilage and How to Prevent It

There’s nothing more disappointing than wine spoilage at home. Spoiled drinks can ruin your effort and money within a moment. With proper wine storage solutions, it is possible to prevent the same. Knowing what can turn wines into trash can be fruitful in your case.

Before understanding them, you must know the causes and deal with them. This is how you can preserve your collection for years without any worries.

The Causes and The Preventions

Heat Exposure

Excess heat is an enemy to wine. This can damage the flavour profile and structure. This is why there is a need to maintain a consistent temperature within the cellar. You must observe the temperature level to be maintained between 50^oF to 60^oF.

When Air Comes in Contact with Wines

Sealed bottles remain in good condition. Once you open them for drinking needs, you must re-cork them soon. This won’t allow air from entering the bottle and prevents its contact with the wine surface. If you leave it open, drinks can be spoiled due to oxidation. However, this can take a little time. For storing leftovers, you must re-cork them properly and store them. Ensure you consume the leftovers in the next 4 – 5 days to avoid spoilage.

Cork Taint

Poor organisation of wine bottles can be another issue. You must store drinks horizontally to ensure the cork remains moist. Otherwise, there is a high chance of its damage. Once small cracks develop and air enters through the gaps, this will begin the oxidation process to spoil your collection. This is why you must lay bottles horizontally on racks and avoid this problem.

Light Exposure

High-intensity lights can create a mess with your collection. To prevent uncertainties, install low-heat LEDs. When they are not required, keep them in turned-off condition. Suppose you plan to consume drinks tonight, turn on the light to pick up your required bottles and off it again. This is how there would be no worries of temperature fluctuation due to lights.

Vibration

This can disturb sediments. If you don’t act swiftly, this is going to accelerate the aging process. So, you must keep the laundry appliances in a separate room for use. Suppose you reside near heavy foot traffic areas, the installation of vibration-reducers is a must.

Moulds and Pests

Sometimes, hygiene is a problem. If you ignore regular cleaning of the cellar, mould can form or pests can occur. This is undesirable. They can spoil your collection with time. Now, taking proactive steps is a must to eliminate this issue.

Poor Cellar Conditions

From temperature to humidity to ventilation, everything is crucial. Ensure they are maintained properly to keep drinks in good condition. The installation of commercial-grade cellar components and regulating them at ideal levels can prevent spoilage. Considering the humidity level, 50 to 70 per cent is a must and the temperature level is already discussed above.

Wrapping Up

At the end of the day, you always want to enjoy drinks. However, ignoring the basics can ruin your collection. Whether you’re storing your collection in a cellar under the stairs or the basement, you have to follow the rules. Learning the proper wine storage solutions ensures that you can enjoy a glass of drinks whenever you want.

So, don’t neglect the basics of wine preservation once you build a cellar. Maintain it ideally, invite your friends, and quench your thirst without any worries!