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How To Store Sparkling Wine

All wine is susceptible to a few external variables that, if not controlled, can cause it to spoil. These include:

  • Oxygen

  • Temperature

  • Humidity

  • Light Exposure

When it comes to wine storage it is critical that you maintain recommended levels of the aforementioned. It is also important that you understand the slight differences of each respective to each wine category. While this guide details the best way to store sparkling wine, we invite you to read our other guides as well:

Sparkling wine, like red and white wine, is sensitive to heat, light, humidity, etc. Therefore, when storing sparkling wine it is critical that you follow the recommended guidelines in these 3 areas.

Temperature

We find that the best temperature to store sparkling wine in is between 50 and 55 degrees farenheit.

Humidity

The most optimal humidity level for sparkling wine is 70%. If sparkling wine is exposed to too much humidity it can cause the cork to dry-out which will increase oxygen exposure and expedite oxidation thus ruining your sparkling wine.

Light

Sparkling wine is highly vulnerable to light, so much so that the term lightstrike is used to describe sparkling wines that have been exposed to too much light thus ruining their taste. To prevent light exposure store your sparkling wine in a dark area such as a basement or cupboard.

FAQ’s

  • How Long Can Sparkling Wine Be Stored? As a general rule the higher the quality of your champagne the longer it will last. High quality champagnes can last for years.

  • Should I Store My Sparkling Wine On Its Side Or Upright? If you are storing your champagne short-term ( < month) then it is best to keep your bottles standing up. If you are storing long-term ( > month) then you should lay them flat.

If you are looking for the best storage solution, we encourage you to visit our wine storage facility in Napa Valley. The historic 110-year-old facility is located on picturesque grounds and includes wine storage options for wine libraries up to 250 cases large. Schedule a tour today!

Joseph Shoemate