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The History of French Wine Storage

From the cave to the wine cellar

by Wine Taster
published: 29 Apr 2009       | Comments

Wine is not just a beverage, it's a tradition. That being said, French wine is the oldest and noblest of traditions! Now, you could just throw your French wine into a cupboard, but what kind of respect does that show? French wine storage should pay homage to the great tradition of French wine making and the "noble grape."

History of French Wine Storage

Wine storage has been a science for over 3,500 years. Caves were the first places wine was stored, as they offered cool, constant temperatures and a lack of air movement. Medieval French vintners stored wine in the cellar - underneath the castle or manor house. Underground storage continues to be the "preferred" method but, if you don't have access to a cave, there are alternative methods of French wine storage. Today's wine buyer has a variety of storage choices, from the simple wine rack to the temperature- and humidity- controlled whole-room sealed cellar. Whatever its construction, standards for storage are still based on the customs inherited from the French who, when lacking a cave, used a basement for wine storage.

Why Wine Storage is Beneficial

Wine continues to develop slowly in the bottle as it ages. Grapes ferment as the result of a chemical reaction between a cultured yeast and elements in the grapes to form ethyl alcohol and compounds that give each wine its unique taste and aroma. Temperature controls the speed of fermentation and different types of vats and storage containers also contribute to the uniqueness of each variety. A finished bottle of wine is still slowly finishing the process - it is "aging." The same factors that create the wine determine how successfully it keeps. Not all wines are meant for aging though, and soem will just break down or lose fruit flavors and aromas with age.

A Cool, Dark Place is Best for Wine Storage

Say you don't have a cave. What can you do? First, lay your bottles on their sides in a cool, dark place. Oxygen, light, vibration and temperature are the variables that determine winning wine storage. The corks must be kept moist to keep oxygen out of the bottles, which is why you lay them on their sides. Extremes of temperature and light can "shock" the wine and damage flavors and aromas, so the best wine storage is a dimly lit area where temperatures range between 50 and 55 degrees.

How Long to Keep Your Bottles in Storage

Every wine reaches a peak of flavor, after which the alcohol and compounds that create the taste and aromas begin to break down and give the wine a vinegary, metallic or just plain spoiled taste. Red wines age to peak more slowly, some taking decades. Most white wines are best enjoyed while "young" - within a few years of bottling. Your wine merchant is your best resource on when to drink a wine. A diary is handy to keep inventory and to record aging and vintage information.

How to Serve Your Wine

Most wine should be served at "room temperature" but this is not equivalent to today's central-heating standard. Serve red wine around 60 - 65 degrees Farenheit (which is close to the standard stone Chateau "room temperature"). White wines should be served at "cellar temperature" - about 45 to 50 degres (slightly chilled but not straight from the refrigerator).