Wine can improve in both flavour and value with age, but incorrect or insufficient storage can cause it to deteriorate, rendering it worthless.
If you are planning to drink your wine a day or so after you buy it, it is unlikely that a short exposure to sunlight will cause a problem. However, if you have bought a fine wine and would like it to mature, sunlight can be disastrous. Here we will explore the different aspects of the issue.
What happens when wine is exposed to light?
When wine is exposed to light the chemical compounds in the wine react to the light. This causes them to change and causes off flavours.
Why is this a problem?
When these reactions occur, they cause changes in the flavours. Wines are often a delicate balance, and these flavours can vary from just a slight change to being completely ‘off’. Even a slight change can be disastrous in an expensive wine, and with it being difficult to tell if the problem has occurred until the wine has been tasted, it is likely that if a wine is stored for a long time in improper conditions the change will be dramatic and the wine undrinkable.
What can I do to prevent this?
Wine for long term storage, or even a wine you plan to store for a few weeks should ideally be stored in a light free environment. This can be anywhere from a cellar where all light is excluded, to a good quality wine cabinet with either a solid door or glass door with UV protection such as this Avintage Conservation Wine Cabinet which has an anti-UV treated glass door.
If you would like some help in choosing the best wine storage solution for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak with one of our friendly, knowledgable staff.
