How long can I keep a wine?

The simple answer to this question is that wine can generally be kept for a couple of years. However, it varies and depends on the individual wine. Everything from 1 to 10+ years is very common. However, not all wines will improve over time. When a wine has been bottled, in the vast majority of cases it is because the producer has deemed that it has achieved its optimal taste.

It has been estimated that only about 10% of all red wines and only 5% of white wines will actually improve by being stored for more than five years.

With this in mind, you should certainly not feel discouraged from storing some good wines in the basement or in a wine cooler for a special occasion. As mentioned, most wines are not harmed by sitting for a year or two, as long as they are stored optimally.

It is important that the wines be stored at the correct temperature and not get too hot or too cold. For long-term storage, a temperature of 12–14 degrees is ideal. In addition, you should consider the humidity, which should be between 55 and 75%. If the air is too dry, the cork can dry out and if it is too humid, it can start to crumble. You solve this problem by simply having a properly designed wine cellar with the right temperature and humidity and avoiding sunlight. It is important to avoid direct sunlight, as this can not only raise the temperature of the wine, but actually drastically change its taste and even deprive it of its colour. However, this can be avoided relatively easily in most cases, as the wines only need to be stored in a basement or similar location, where they are not exposed to sunlight.