You just came back from your trip to France with a few bottles of wine in your suitcase. Once at home, you ask yourself “Where can I put those grand crus?” No worries, the question is normal, mostly for the neophytes of oenology.

First, it is good to know what kind of wine you bought. Some are just not made to “age”. Better drink them fresh to enjoy their fruity taste. Generally, some appellations are made for “aging” (the “vins de garde) like Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Rhône… Others are more “ready to drink” wines, less complex wines, more fruity like Beaujolais, Loire or Alsace. That said, better ask your sommelier when will be the best time to drink (with moderation) your white, your red, or your rosé…

Once you know that this bottle will be perfect for consumption in about 10 years and that one in 2 years, let’s talk about “aging process”. The most important thing is to keep your bottle horizontally. Why? Because it keeps the cork humid and will keep it from falling to pieces. If you don’t, you will get a “corked wine”.

Then, the conditions are important but not that easy to respect if you don’t have your own wine cellar. Obscurity is important to save the aromas and color. Temperature must stay between 12 and 13’C (53.6F-55.4F). Try your best to avoid any harsh changes in temperature. Humidity is an important parameter as well and must stay between 70% and 75%. Finally, bottles must be kept stable, no movement and no vibration. If you have no room to store them, there are electric wine cellars that allow you to keep your bottles in the best condition.

Finally, before opening, we recommend to put your bottle back up vertically about 2 days before drinking. It will prevent deposits. Then, open it 1 or 2 hours before to let the wine breathe and reveal all its aromas.

Cheers!

Drink responsibly.