Red wine should be stored in a cellar, not a fridge. White wine and roses should be stored in a wine fridge at a constant temperature, 45 to 55 degrees depending on the type of wine. Keeping a wine above 25 degrees Celsius for a few months will kill it. Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius aren't going to damage wine, but the temperature will slow down the wine's maturation. If the temperature is lower, the wine will freeze. Fluctuation in temperature of wine is not good, because it increases the risk of oxygen getting to the wine. According to Smart House.com, "as the temperature changes, the liquid in the bottle expands and contracts, and if the cork isn't forming a perfect seal, there's a danger that small amounts of air will enter."
Port wines can also be stored in a wine fridge since it is fortified. Make sure it is stored on its side until it is opened with no sunlight and no vibration. "The big difference between a port wine and white wine is you can leave the port wine bottle open longer," says Hays. "Traditionally, if you open a bottle of white or red wine, you have about five days to drink it before it starts to oxidize and turn into vinegar." With port or any fortified wine, it can be left open a lot longer and still be good to drink.
When looking to buy a wine fridge, look at standalone wine cabinets. Determine how many bottles you will want to have on hand at all times and then choose your capacity in wine fridges. They are simple to install, just plug in and you are ready to store wine.
The reason storing wine in a refrigerator isn't good is because of the constant vibration. The vibration can shake the cork loose, letting in air, which will turn your good wine into bad wine. Storing wine in a fridge also shakes up the sediments in the wine. Also, refrigerators have low humidity. If there is low humidity, then the cork dries out; air gets in and turns the wine into vinegar. Another reason is the refrigerator is too cold. According to Wine Intro.com, "Wine is supposed to age slowly and gently over time." If the refrigerator is at 35 degrees Fahrenheit, which it normally is, then it damages the aging process of wine. When the fridge is constantly opened, the temperature fluctuates, and the wine is damaged.
Experts say that wine should never be drunk right out of the fridge. Thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit is way too cold for wine. When the wine is taken out of the fridge, open it and let it breath. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes and then the wine will be at a good temperature to consume.
