Q+A with our resident wine expert

Well done, you’ve made it to the end of Dry January, and what better way to celebrate than with a glorious glass of your favourite wine. Whether you have a penchant for a full-bodied Pinot Noir, or much prefer a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, knowing how to store your wine (and keep it in prime condition for drinking) is something which is often overlooked.

That’s why we asked our resident wine specialist, Eddie, to share his expert advice on wine storage etiquette.

1. What is your background and how did you get started in this industry?

It was during my time studying hotel management in Adelaide, Australia that I developed a keen interest in wine. The journey to getting a qualification in wine involved me visiting all the various vineyards and regions that South Australia and Victoria has to offer, which ultimately flourished into a passion for all things wine. Before joining Big Yellow as its resident wine expert, I spent over 10 years in the hotel industry, predominantly in events, managing the Wine Cellars at the Big Yellow Fulham flagship store therefore seemed like a natural progression.

2. Tell us how Big Yellow can help when it comes to storing wine?

The Big Yellow Wine Cellars at Fulham are the UK’s first, purpose built, specialist wine storage units. Whether you don’t have the storage space at home for your own cellar or don’t have the time to manage one, we make wine storage easy. We offer 560 private and affordable wine storage cellars which can hold 15, 30, or 45 cases, and wine cellars which range in size (up to 300 sq. ft.) which are able to hold 500 cases, in dedicated self-storage units.

The temperature at which your store your wine is also hugely important. Whilst the temperature at which wine is typically served at is often thought about, storage temperature can be overlooked. That’s why our units are maintained throughout year in optimal conditions of 12 to 13 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels set at 55-65%.

All our wine customers have unrestricted secure access to their collections from 5am to 11pm, 7 days a week, with complementary acceptance of wine deliveries during opening hours.

3. Where are the best places in the home to store wine?

If your collection isn’t quite big enough to warrant storing it in a dedicated unit, try to seek out locations in the home that are kept at stable, low temperatures, and most importantly are away from sunlight. I recommend storing wine under the stairs, in dark cupboards away from heat and in basements, provided there is no dampness. One place to stay away from is the kitchen due to the exposure to various heat sources and temperature fluctuations.

4. Can’t white wine just be stored outside?

As a rule, wine should be stored at 12 to 13 degrees Celsius (the temperature at which our units are set at, of course), as this allows the wine to develop and prevents premature aging. Warmer temperatures will speed up the aging process of wines, and if not managed properly your wines will spoil. Keeping it in the garden where you can’t control the temperature is therefore not something we would advise, especially during the winter months. Storing it at very low temperatures risks the wine freezing and expanding, pushing the cork out or even causing the bottle to crack.

Another reason for not storing wine outside is that, where possible, you should look to keep wine away from sunlight as this will also contribute to premature aging. There is a reason why bottles are typically a green colour, it’s to counteract the effects of sunlight on wine.

5. How long does wine last for? And how can having the right storage help?

Not all wines should be aged. Light bodied, crisp whites like Pinot Grigio should be consumed within three years at most, whereas other more complex varieties like Chardonnay may be aged for up to 15 years. The same holds true for reds, Pinot Noirs should be enjoyed early on, but varieties such as Barolo require at least 10 years to mature – others such as Bordeaux can age for decades.
Given that certain wines are a long-term commitment, having the right storage conditions ensures that the liquid matures in the best circumstances possible, and extends its lifespan.

6. What do I do with any wine leftover?

Leftover wine makes a great base for sauces and enhancing dishes. Principals for pairing white wines with chicken and fish, and red wines with beef, lamb or game also hold true when incorporating them into dishes. Adding wine in pastas, stews, or deglazing help to elevate the flavours, and plenty of great recipes can be found online.

7. What are your predictions for the wine industry for 2020?

Given the recent popularity of both prosecco and rosé, several industry leaders have predicted we may start to see rosé prosecco hitting the market by the end of the year. We have also seen the advent of the organic and natural wines market, something which I think will continue to grow throughout 2020 and beyond.

For those budding sommeliers keen to develop their knowledge of wine, you might also want to think about attending one of the wine tasting sessions we hold at the Big Yellow Wine Cellars in Fulham.
The West London Wine School and Dionysius host in-house tasting classes 7 days a week in our dedicated wine tasting rooms. In between classes, the rooms are available upon request for you to host your own tasting sessions – perfect if you have bottles you wish to sample but don’t want to take out of storage.

To find out more about our wine storage offering, head to our wine page.