In our article, we will give you some valuable tips for storing your bottle of sparkling wine, one of the most popular and appreciated types of wine by winelovers around the world. It is enough to mention great Italian sparkling wines such as Prosecco, Franciacorta, Asti Spumante ...

5 tips to store a bottle of sparkling wine

To store any bottle of wine, including sparkling wine, it is essential to consider five factors: position, temperature, humidity, light and place of storage. For each of these five factors there are ideal conditions, to be respected to avoid unpleasant surprises once opened the bottle.

1. Position

The first factor to consider is the position in which to store the bottle of sparkling wine. The general rule is that the bottle of wine is stored horizontally, lying on its side, so that the liquid can wet the cork. In this way, the cork remains moist and in contact with the glass surface of the bottle. In this way, oxygen does not enter in excessive quantities in the bottle and it does not compromise the organoleptic qualities of the wine.

For a certain period of time, a few weeks, bottles of sparkling wine can also be stored vertically. The presence of carbon dioxide humidifies the cork, preventing it from drying out and protecting the liquid from uncontrolled air infiltration.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, our advice is to always store the bottle in a horizontal position.

2. Temperature

The ideal temperature for storing bottles of sparkling wine is around 10-12 degrees Celsius. Depending on the characteristics of their sparkling wine, each producer usually provides precise indications in this sense.

In any case, do not put the sparkling wine in hot places, with a temperature higher than the recommended one, because the wine would deteriorate quickly, losing its qualities. Also avoid places that are too cold such as freezers or refrigerators at low temperatures: excessive cold, in fact, tends to dry out the cork, favoring the oxidation of the liquid.

3. Humidity

Minimum 50% and maximum 70%. This is the standard indication for bottles of sparkling wine.

Humidity is a factor not to be underestimated because it allows the cork to have good elasticity. For this reason, we advise you to measure the humidity of the place where your bottles are located, making sure that it is not less than 50%.

4. Light

Wine bottles should be stored in dark places, away from any light source. Light tends to deteriorate the wine, especially in the case of sparkling wines with delicate and elegant organoleptic properties.

It is no coincidence that the sparkling wine is bottled in glass containers with dark colors that protect the liquid from solar radiation.

5. Storage location

Another factor you need to consider is where to store the bottles. It must be an environment that can guarantee the conditions of position, temperature, humidity and light that we have just written and free from vibrations.

The ideal would be an underground cellar, but it cannot always be present in our homes. However, there are alternative solutions such as wine cellars or air-conditioned cabinets, designed specifically for storing wine. Garages, closets without windows or small dark rooms can also be used.

Better to avoid any place where other foods such as cheeses and salami are also stored. Their strong smells could alter those of the liquid.