Storing white wine for long periods may seem daunting, but keep these factors in mind and you'll be storing your white wine like a pro in no time at all.
1. Bottle Orientation
Lay your bottles of white wine on their side.
Doing this will help to keep the corks from drying out, protecting your wine for years to come.
2. Stillness
Stillness and lack of disturbances are key to a white wine’s longevity, unnecessary movements can alter the taste of the wine over time.
This is why standard refrigerators are not the best idea for long term storage so try not to put your wine in a domestic fridge long term if you can.
3. Light Levels
White wine needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and other sources of light as this will help to reduce the chance of any faults developing over time.
Look for somewhere dim and dark instead.
4. Humidity
Wines like a little bit of humidity to help keep them fresh.
Long-term storage of white wine requires a humidity level between 50-85%, in order to keep the cork moist and not dry out over time.
5. Temperature
Store your bottles of white wine between 11 and 15 °C (52-59 °F).
Most wine cellars and specialised wine fridges should be set at this temperature range.
So, what are the best places for storing white wine that will cover all of the above?
How To Store Opened White Wine
Wine spoils over time because as soon as your wine has been opened oxygen is going to interact with it and slowly diminish the wine’s flavour and vitality.
White wine is no exception.
So to help keep the effects of oxygenation bay for as long as possible, put a stopper or cork in the wine bottle and keep it in the fridge.
How To Store Unopened White Wine
The key to storing unopened bottles of white wine for as long as possible is to keep them cool and calm.
So find somewhere with minimal exposure to light, that has cool and consistent temperatures and is also away from any disturbances caused from loud noises and vibrations.
This is why specialised wine fridges are great options for storage, they'll look after your wine so you don't have to!
Where Should You Store White Wine?
When you’re looking for places to store white wine it’s important to find somewhere that covers the criteria we mentioned above.
A wine cellar or a specialised wine fridge will be perfect for this, having been designed with your wine in mind.
If you don’t have either of those don’t panic, a garage, or food pantry will also work well here.
Should White Wine Be Stored Upright or Horizontally?
For best results, store your bottles of white wine horizontally, by laying them on their side.
Doing so will help to stop your cork from drying out and causing damage to your white wine over time.
How Long Can You Store Opened White Wine?
Most white wine can last about 3-4 days after opening, as long as you store the bottle with care.
How Long Can You Store White Wine Unopened?
As a general rule white wine can last for up to 5 years if unopened, although this will vary from bottle to bottle.
Some top quality whites, such as Burgundies made from Chardonnay, may have the potential to age for longer, which is why its important to make sure you are storing your wine with as much care as possible.
Does White Wine Go Bad?
We’re sorry to say that yes, white wine can and will go bad, which is why it’s so important to store it well.
If you want further tips on how to store your wine please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Expert Wine Storage.
How Can You Tell if White Wine Has Gone Bad?
Here are some things to look out for to tell if your wine has gone bad:
- Does the wine look hazy or cloudy or a little bit brown? If it’s not clear and bright chances are there may be some faults at play.
- How does the wine smell? If you’re smelling odd aromas then your white wine may have gone bad.
- What does the wine taste like? If it’s resembling vinegar as opposed to delicious white wine then we’re sorry to say it may be too late for this particular bottle.
Do You Keep Opened White Wine In The Fridge?
Yes, please! Opened white wine can be stored in the fridge.
Whether it’s a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc, simply put a stopper in your bottle and keep it in the fridge and it should be good to drink for another 3-4 days.
Related: How Long Does White Wine Last In The Fridge?
Do You Keep Unopened White Wine In The Fridge?
The better you store your unopened bottles of white wine the longer they will last for.
Fridges may be great for keeping wine cold but they have quite dry conditions that aren’t always fantastic for storing wine in the long term.
So keep your unopened white wine somewhere cool and dark like a wine cellar or garage and, depending on the style, they should be able to keep for a good few years.
Does White Wine Expire?
Like all good things in this life, even white wine has an expiry date and may not be good to drink if you keep it for too long.
So try not to put off drinking your favourite wines until it’s too late.
Before You Go...
Check out our full guide here:
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or email us at info@expertwinestorage.co.uk
You can browse more posts on Wine Types here
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Author:
Philip Thompson
Philip is a wine fridge expert. He's the General Manager at Expert Wine Storage, and is very knowledgable about all things relating to wine, wine coolers, and wine storage. He has seen and tested 1,000s of wine fridges over 5+ years to bring you a curated collection of over 200 products that he believes in. With a Mechanical Engineering degree, Philip applies analytical thinking and technical precision to every product evaluation, ensuring that the performance, cooling technology, vibration control, and humidity regulation of each wine fridge meet the highest standards. Philip’s wine storage insights have been featured in respected media, including Livingetc, Medical News Today, and Wikipedia, where he contributed expert commentary on topics such as how long wine lasts after opening. His growing public recognition underscores his authority and trustworthiness in the space. To further expand his wine-specific knowledge, Philip plans to pursue formal certification at the WSET School in London, reinforcing his commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the wine industry.
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