Wine Refrigerator Temperature

There are several factors that affect the quality of wine from the vine to your mouth. We all know that storing wine properly is important- But how many of us know why? What exactly happens to wine if it isn't stored under the right conditions? Wine refrigerators help balance these conditions to prevent negative affects. This article is the first in a series to discuss the four most important factors in wine storage-

• Keep the wine at a prime temperature

• Protect the wine from light

• Don't expose wine to excessive vibrations

• Ensure proper humidity levels around the wine

Wine, like most food and drinks, is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Believing that the bottle protects the wine from spoiling is a common misconception among inexperienced wine drinkers. This is not a can of beans! Wine doesn't come loaded with chemical preservatives like the food and "juice" you buy in the grocery store. Subjecting the wine to temperatures above 77 degrees Fahrenheit can spoil it. This is one reason why so many homes now have wine coolers.

Not every wine is made alike. Without going too much into the wine making process, let's move forward under the assumption that different varietals of wine are actually made in various ways. Some wine varietals are exposed to heat during inception and therefor can withstand greater variations in wine storage temperature. Other wines are created under very controlled conditions- These wines never develop the natural ability to withstand temperature changes. You need to pay attention to your individual wine collection when considering what your storage needs are.

The chemical reactions taking place in wine occur at an increased rate when the storage temperature fluctuates. Some reactions occurring in bottled wine are favorable; This is why collecting and aging wine is a popular hobby. But many of the reactions are unfavorable, such as oxidation. Aging wine needs to be done delicately in a wine cooler or wine cellar- You can't expose the wine to excessive heat to speed up the aging process in the way you desire; Increased heat will only exponentially increase the negative reactions. A fine bottle of aged wine would not be nearly as pricey if it was possible to positively age wine through force.

Let's not forget that heat isn't the only problem. Getting the wine too cold can also negatively affect it. How many people do you know that use their wine cooler as a wine freezer? The chemical reactions that positively affect wine can be virtually stopped if the wine gets too cold. Excessively cold temperatures can also cause the wine to expand, forcing the cork out, exposing the wine to air, and spoiling it. Anyone with a basic understanding of chemistry understands that cold liquid expands.

Keeping all this information in mind, storing wine at a temperature of roughly 55 degrees Fahrenheit has become the industry norm. It has been found that this temperature allows for the positive chemical reactions to continue and the negative reactions to slow at a pace that will make the wine better over time. In essence, it is the happy medium at which you should usually keep your wine fridge or wine cellar.