Store wine bottles horizontally or upright? Practical guide to choosing
Deel
Should wine always be stored on its side? The answer depends mainly on the closure and how long the bottle will be stored. For bottles with natural cork that you intend to keep for years, storing them horizontally is the traditional and safe choice. With a screw cap, storing horizontally is generally not necessary. Even more important than the position of the bottle are a stable temperature, low light, and as few temperature fluctuations as possible.
Why do we usually store wine on its side?
For bottles with natural cork, horizontal storage has long been customary to maintain contact between the wine and the cork. A natural cork forms the seal together with the bottle neck. There is some nuance about how important direct contact with wine is for the moisture content of the cork: the moist environment inside the bottle also plays a role. For long-term storage, a horizontal position remains a practical convention, especially when you want to organize a collection.
Natural cork, screw cap or synthetic cork: which do you choose?
| Closure | Short-term storage | Long-term storage |
|---|---|---|
| Natural cork | Can stand for a short time | Horizontal is customary |
| Screw cap | Standing or horizontal | Position is generally not decisive |
| Synthetic cork | Standing or horizontal | Follow the producer; not every closure is intended for very long aging |
| Sparkling wine | Cool and dark; position is usually secondary | Follow the producer's advice |
The quality and properties of the closure vary by manufacturer. Therefore, use this overview as a household rule of thumb, not as a guarantee for the lifespan of a specific bottle.
What is more important than storing horizontally or vertically?
Temperature: choose a cool place with the most stable temperature possible, often around 10–15 °C for longer wine storage. Light: prolonged exposure to bright sunlight and UV light can damage wine. Vibrations: avoid unnecessary movement, especially with older bottles containing sediment. Humidity: very dry or very damp storage is undesirable, partly for corks and labels.
A warm kitchen counter above an oven is therefore less suitable for long-term storage than a dark, cool cabinet, even if the wine lies neatly on its side there. For additional storage tips, see storing wine: storage and after opening.
Which wine rack suits your use?
For many people, a wine rack in the living room is primarily an accessible display of bottles that will be opened in the foreseeable future. For this purpose, a compact wall rack is often sufficient. If you want to let bottles age for years, first assess the temperature and light exposure of the room. A wine rack does not turn a warm room into a climate-controlled cabinet.
The Mémoire Réserve for five bottles is a metal vertical wall rack for a compact wine selection. Check whether the bottles fit safely and how they lie or stand in the specific rack; consciously choose the storage position based on the closure. Also compare wall wine racks and standing wine racks and the wine rack collection.
Which place in the house is suitable?
An indoor storage room, dark pantry, or cool cellar is often more favorable than a place next to a radiator or a sunny window. Also measure the temperature during warmer days; the difference between morning and afternoon is relevant. For a small selection that is quickly drunk, ease of use may outweigh optimal long-term aging.
How do you store an opened bottle?
You do not store an opened bottle according to the same rules as a sealed wine bottle for long-term storage. Seal the bottle properly, usually place it upright in the refrigerator to prevent spills, and limit contact with oxygen. Red wine can generally also be stored cooler after opening; let it come back to temperature before drinking. A decanter is not a suitable storage vessel. Read why wine changes faster in a decanter.
Frequently asked questions
Can a wine bottle with a screw cap stand in the wine rack?
Yes. For a screw cap, contact between wine and natural cork is not necessary. A cool, dark place remains important.
Is a wine rack in the living room suitable for expensive wine intended for long-term storage?
Only when the storage conditions are actually suitable. A visible decorative rack in a warm room is generally better for wine that you drink relatively quickly.
Should champagne be stored on its side?
For ordinary short-term storage, a stable, cool environment is more important than any absolute rule about position. For particularly old or valuable bottles, consult the advice of the winery.
