How to Store Wine at Home – 7 Essential Tips
If you want your wine to taste as good as the day it was bottled, proper storage is key. At Wine Racks UK, we design and build bespoke wine cellars, racks, and walls for homes and businesses – and here are our expert tips on how to store wine at home.
1. Keep Wine at a Steady Temperature
Wine is happiest between 12–14°C. Avoid temperature swings, as they can damage flavour and aroma. A climate-controlled cellar or wine cabinet is ideal.
2. Store Bottles Horizontally
This keeps the cork moist, preventing air from spoiling your wine. Horizontal racks are space-efficient and show off your collection beautifully.
3. Protect from Light
Sunlight and harsh lighting can age wine prematurely. Choose storage away from windows or use LED lighting, which is safe for bottles.
4. Maintain the Right Humidity
Aim for 60–70% humidity to keep corks from drying out while avoiding mould.
5. Organise by Drinking Window
Arrange your collection so bottles that are ready to drink are easy to access, and those meant for long-term ageing are stored safely out of the way. This helps you enjoy wines at their peak and avoid opening them too early or too late.
6. Plan for Collection Growth
Your wine collection will likely grow – design storage with extra capacity in mind.
7. Make Storage a Feature
A wine wall, under-stairs display, or glass-fronted cellar can turn storage into a stunning design element in your home.
Thinking about wine storage for your home?
From compact racks to full climate-controlled cellars, Wine Racks UK creates bespoke storage solutions across the UK and Europe. Get in touch today to start designing yours.
