February 8, 2025 · 3 min read
A Note on Proper Storage: Temperature, Light, and Drip
The cellar is a covenant. Honor it, and the bottle will repay you.
— Étienne Carter
A well-cellared bottle repays its owner. A poorly cellared one does not. The difference, in most cases, is a matter of simple attention.
Temperature is the first concern. Our bottles prefer a stable 55–65 degrees Fahrenheit. Fluctuations of more than ten degrees within a day will accelerate oxidation, even through a well-seated closure. A basement shelf away from radiators and exterior walls is more than sufficient for most collections.
Light is the second concern. Ultraviolet exposure degrades the wine's finer compounds. A dark cellar is a good cellar. A clear window is not.
The third — and most underattended — concern is drip. A bottle stored upright for long periods may develop a slow weeping at the closure, particularly in warmer conditions. This is not a defect of the bottle; it is a signal that the storage is imperfect. Lay the bottle on its side. Keep the closure in contact with the wine. Check monthly.
These habits compound. A well-stored cellar is not a project. It is a relationship.