Humidity in Wine Cellar: The Importance of Proper Storage

Humidity in Wine Cellar: The Importance of Proper Storage

Quick Links

Video Tutorial

Video Summary

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “all good things come to those who wait”, and this is especially true when it comes to wine. Storing your wine in a cellar where the humidity is controlled is an important part of making sure that your vino doesn’t spoil before its time. Humidity plays an essential role in maintaining the condition of the cork, and making sure it keeps your wine safe from oxygen. Most wine Cellars should be between 50-80 percent humidity in order to preserve the wine. If the humidity dips too low, the cork can dry out and shrink, allowing oxygen to get inside and spoil the taste of your wine. If it’s too high, the cork can expand, allowing more oxygen and bacteria into the bottle - not ideal!

I once opened a bottle of wine that had been sitting on my counter top for a few months. It had a musty smell, and the taste was a bit off. If I had known then what I know now of humidity in wine cellars, I probably would have stored it in a cool, dark place with appropriate humidity levels. It’s true what they say, proper wine storage can really make or break how your wine tastes.

Now that I know about proper wine storage I keep all my vino in a wine cellar near the basement. I made sure the humidity levels were just right - Too much humidity can also cause the wine’s label to become stuck to the bottle or even dissolve away. Not to mention all the mold and mildew growing due to the excess moisture. When done properly, a wine cellar provides the perfect environment to store, age, and enjoy your Wine.

One of the most important aspects when it comes to storing wine is making sure that the humidity is at the right level. Even if the temperature in the cellar is good, too much or too little humidity can ruin a good bottle of wine. With the right humidor or cooling system, you can ensure that your WORTHY bottles of vino can stay perfectly preserved until you’re ready to open them. Now that’s something I can really get behind!

Topics Related to:  Humidity in Wine Cellar: The Importance of Proper Storage

  • Why is oak used in winemaking?
    Hello I’m Amelia singer an international Wine Communicator educator and Television presenter now one of the most Important things that people want to Know about a wine is why is Oak so Famously used in winemaking and what Does it actually do to the wine That has always been a strong Relationship between Oak and wine since Roman times ...
  • WSET Bitesize – Introduction to Port
    Hello welcome to our webinar today so This is our webinar with um Sarah matosh Um for as you can see the introduction To Ports Um I will go through a few um Housekeeping notes and a little Introduction so um this is being hosted By the wine and spirit education trust Wsct this we are the world’s leading Provider ...
  • Sommelier Explains Yountville Napa Cabernet: A Virtual Wine Tasting | WTSO.com
    The napa valley is the most famous Winemaking region in california but it’s Not just one monolithic landscape it’s a Complicated place divided into Sub-regions each with different Microclimates that make wines that have Different flavor profiles here we have Two cabernet sauvignon wines from the Napa sub region of yountville We’re going to find out what makes them Unique ...
  • Wine Explorer – Introducing Champagne
    Hey everybody thank you so much for Coming to join us today it is a great Day because today is champagne day so we Are going to be talking about this Delicious wonderful bubbly liquid and uh You’re not gonna have to hear from me You are going to get to hear from the Head of public relations for the ...
  • WSET Bitesize – What is natural wine?
    Foreign Welcome to this webinar Um good morning good afternoon good Evening I’m just letting Um the participants uh trickle in uh do Let us know in the chat where you’re Dialing in from Welcome welcome wow number’s really Climbing that’s exciting Do let us know in the chat where you’re Dialing in from Um Wow lots and lots of ...
  

dew, glass pane, greenhouse
When it comes to wine, proper storage is everything. If you’re a connoisseur or a collector of fine wines, then you know all too well the importance of ensuring that your prized bottles of nectar are kept in a cool, dry and – above all – a humid place. Having the right levels of humidity in your wine cellar can drastically extend the life and flavor of your wines – and here’s why.

Monitor and Adjust the Humidity Level

Humidity can be a tricky thing to manage. Too much and you can get a damp, musty cellar; too little and you’ve got a dry, crisp one instead. The ideal situation is to keep your cellar at around 50 to 60 percent humidity. This range is optimal for wine because it prevents the cork from shrinking, which can let in too much air and spoil the wine, as well as damaging the labels.

Preventing Mould Growth

If the walls and barrels in your cellar are too dry, then mould may form. This could have a major impact on the taste of your wines, but it can also affect the labels, and even the cork. Keeping the humidity level between 50 to 60 percent will stop the mould from spreading, and ensure that your collection stays in great condition.

Reduces Corrosion of Bottles

If the humidity level in your cellar is too low, then the bottles may start to corrode and eventually leak. This is obviously an undesirable result for any collector, so it’s vital that you make sure that your wine is stored in ideal conditions. Adjusting the humidity levels to keep it at 50 to 60 percent will ensure that your bottles stay strong and sealed, preserving the flavour of the wines for years to come.

Maintains Labels in Good Condition

Letting the humidity get too low poses another threat to your labels. Low humidity, when combined with the presence of oxygen in the cellar, can cause the ink on the labels to dry out and fade, eventually damaging them beyond repair. Keeping the humidity at the right level will help to preserve your labels so that they remain looking perfect.

What You Can Do to Maintain the Level of Humidity in Your Cellar

Here are some tips on how you can keep the humidity in your wine cellar at its optimal level:

  • Install a Humidifier – This is probably the easiest and most efficient way to maintain the level of humidity in your cellar. You can set it to the desired level of humidity and it will run until the desired conditions are achieved.
  • Place a Bowl of Water in the Cellar – If you don’t want to invest in a humidifier, then you can always place a few bowls of water in the cellar, as this will help to maintain the humidity level.
  • Ventilate the Room – To maintain a well-ventilated room and prevent mould growth, try allowing the cellar to breathe by opening and closing the door on a regular basis.

When it comes to caring for your wine, proper storage should be a top priority. It’s important to remember that the right levels of humidity can make a huge difference to the life and flavor of your beloved wines. With just a few simple steps and regular maintenance, you can enjoy your wines for many years to come.

Others who  read: Humidity in Wine Cellar: The Importance of Proper Storage
Also Found these interesting.

  • How to taste wine – the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines way
    Foreign Good evening good afternoon depending on Where you are and uh welcome to the Webinar and so this is how to taste wine Um so this will be the for the WSET Level three course so we’re doing at the Level three way so um I’ll talk about That in just a moment before I do just a Little bit about WSET for those of you Who are less familiar So um the wine and spirit education Trust we’re the world’s leading provider Of qualifications and courses in wines Spirit and sake wscc is over 50 years Experience in ...
  • 1989 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon | Wine Tasting Notes | Jordan Uncorked Episode 26
    Hi and welcome back to another episode of Jordan Uncorked. I’m Maggie Cruz. I’m John Duckett. Today we’re doing a special birth year edition Because we have a few good friends who were born in 1989 that are turning 30 This year. Dirty 30! Cam Jordan, who is a big fan of Jordan wines is 30 and Ayesha Curry, Taylor Swift, Taron Egerton, James Harden, Jimmy Butler, Rob Gronkowski retired. Yes, retired at 30. I wish. And a special shout out to David Henry who just had Jordan wine with his dad and newborn, on Father’s Day. So let’s see how this taste, 1989! ...
  • International Sommelier Day: Meet our Wine Expert Partners | WTSO.com
    Hi everybody i’m mark and i’m an expert Wine partner with wine still sold out For over 10 years now i’ve been Certified through the wset of london and I’ve been sharing my passion for all Things wine by way of live events Youtube videos and more recently uh Virtual tastings online i’ve done Hundreds of events and at this point I’ve met thousands of wine lovers and For the most part the takeaway is almost Always the same people just want some Basic easy to understand information That they can apply in their daily lives So as a wine ...
  • WSET Bitesize – What are Spain’s main wine regions?
    Hello and uh welcome to uh this webinar Um on Spanish wine regions my name is Ed Wicks Um I’m an educator for the wsct I work At the wsct school London um primarily Teaching wine qualifications through Levels one two uh and and three Um so thank you very much for uh for Joining us today Um just to let you know this webinar Will be recorded and it will be uploaded To the WSET Global events Hub on our YouTube channel to watch back at your Convenience uh very soon Um if I can ask anyone who wishes ...
  • WSET – The world of Blended Scotch Whisky
    Hello uh good afternoon good evening Good morning depending on wherever you Are in the world and you’re very welcome To this webinar about the world of Blended Scotch whiskey my name is Charlie McCarthy I work for the wine and Spirit education trust as a business Development manager in the field of Spirits and my job is essentially to Help spread knowledge and my passion About spirits uh across the network of Wsct Educators and students and Potential students globally I’m very Lucky to be joined today by a field of People who are I said to say much ...
  • Wine and Food Pairing Made Super Easy by Sommelier: Provence Rosé | WTSO.com
    As we know in france food is a religion So it’s no real surprise that province All rose is amazing for pairing Mediterranean sardines fresh fish with Garlic bouillabaisse dishes with olives And herbs and of course the local staple Garlicky peppery aioli all of these Become surreal when paired up with a Racy tangy and herbaceous rose So let’s take some of those ingredients We’ll deconstruct them and then Reassemble them in two very different But simple ways My first dish is going to be a play on a Very popular sandwich from the region Known as pan magnet ...
  • What determines the colour of a wine?
    Foreign So to make red wines red and Rose Wine’s Rose the wine must be made from black ...

Frequently Ask Questions

Q1: Why is it IImportant to store my Wine in the right Humidity?

A1:Well, storing your Wine in too wet or too dry of an environment can actually ruin it! That's why it's SO important for I to make sure that I'm maintaining the right humidity levels in my Wine cellar. If I don't, I'm risking ruining the flavor and quality of my vino!

Q2: What is the RIGHT Humidity to Store my Wine in?

A2: Generally speaking, you want to keep your cellar's humidity between 50-70%. This is the optimal temperature range to ensure the Wine is stored safely and retains its optimal flavor and quality.

Q3: What is the Worst Humidity Level for my Wine?

A3: Anything under 50% or above 70% is bad news for Wine: Too low of humidity can dry out your wines, while too high can cause mold and fungus growth. YUCK!

Q4: What Happens if I Don't Have Proper Humidity in my Wine Cellar?

A4: Improper humidity can cause cork spoilage, which is when the cork dries out and then lets air seep into the bottle. This will ruin the flavor of the Wine, and might even make drinking it difficult or even impossible.

Q5: How can I Monitor My Wine Cellar's Humidity?

A5: Luckily, there's a wide selection of digital hygrometers available, so I don't have to guess what the humidity is in my cellar. It's always best to check regularly to ensure I'm keeping the ideal 50-70% humidity range.


Writer’s/Editor’s Note

I just love drinking wines! Oh, what a great feeling it is when you can enjoy a delicious bottle of wine with your friends and savor its bouquet! But what most people don't take into account is that storing wines properly is just as important as choosing the right wines. You see, wine is highly sensitive to environmental conditions, and one of the most important considerations is HUMIDITY.

I'm sure you're asking yourself: why should I care about humidity in the wine cellar? The answer is simple: if humidity is too low, your wine is prone to oxidation, which can affect the flavor and texture of the wine. On the other hand, if the humidity is too high, mold can grow in the cellar and damage your precious wines. So it's important to find the proper balance .

Fortunately, I know the secret to properly storing your wine: maintain the humidity level between 50-70 percent! This means you should pay careful attention to installing proper ventilation systems in your wine cellar. Make sure they are powerful enough to control the humidity levels. It also means that you should avoid humidifiers with too high of a humidity level, as this will create an excess of moisture and could cause mold.

Lastly, I recommend that you check the humidity levels regularly to ensure that they stay within that optimal range. Investing some time and resources into creating the perfect wine cellar with the right humidity levels will certainly be worth it in the long run! You'll get to enjoy all your wines just the way they're meant to be.

Want More? Read Next…

  • Wine Explorer – Introducing Champagne
    Hey everybody thank you so much for Coming to join us today it is a great Day because today is champagne day so we Are going to be talking about this Delicious wonderful bubbly liquid and uh You’re not gonna have to hear from me You are going to get to hear from the Head of public relations for the one and Only Konichi champagne and uh Philip we Brought will be telling us all about uh The intricacies of champagne we’re going To have a couple of quiz questions so That uh we sort of learn a little Something ...
  • Spirits Showcase – Pisco
    Hello everyone welcome my name is Liam Skandra I’m senior business development Manager for spirits in the Europe Middle East and Africa region at WSET Um it’s a pleasure to welcome you to This webinar uh the WSET for those that Don’t know is the world’s leading Provider of wine spirits and psychic Qualifications uh qualifications are Designed to inspire and Empower anyone Looking to develop their drinks Knowledge from beginners to experts and From enthusiastic professionals Pisco the the topic of today’s webinar Is covered in wsct levels two and three In spirits and it’s a category that I ...
  • What makes a good vintage?
    Thank you Hello I’m Amelia singer an international Wine Communicator educator and Television presenter When you look at the label on a bottle Of wine you normally see a year this is Known as the Vintage and refers to the Year that the grapes were picked but how Important is this information and what Makes one vintage better than another The weather in the vineyard during a Given year will impact the health and Quality of the fruit produced With weather patterns becoming Increasingly unpredictable due to Climate change there’s a lot that the Great grower might have to contend ...
  • 2013 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 750mL vs Magnum | Wine Tasting Notes | Jordan Uncorked Episode 25
    Thank you for joining us for another episode of Jordan Uncorked, I’m Maggie Cruz And I’m John Duckett. Today we are tasting the 2013 from 750 versus the 2013 from our magnum, which is our new release Magnum. It’s kind of a fun little Comparison, we don’t do this too often. Yeah I would say what’s the point of a magnum In terms of aging? Well, the magnum is going to age a lot longer. It’s a lot more graceful and so you can really hold on to it. The 750 we say, I Like 10 to 15 years on ours and the magnum can ...

You May Also Like