With lots of structured tannins and a tendency towards a deliciously full- bodied nature, red wines seem like the perfect option for long-term ageing at home.
But whats the perfect temperature for red wine storage?
Red Wine Storage Temperature: What's The Perfect Temperature?
Typically, red wine should be stored long term at a temperature of 11-14˚C (52-57°F).
Its essential red wines are not stored at a temperature which exceeds 24˚C for a long period of time or the wine will start to break down and oxidise which is detrimental to the condition of the wine.
Red Wine Storage Temperature (Full Bodied, Light to Medium & Sweet Reds)
Generally red wines are best served at a slightly warmer temperature than they are stored, but there are exceptions to this with the likes of the sweeter red wines.
Take a look at our extensive review of red wine varieties, their storage and serving temperatures below:
1. Full Bodied Red Wine Storage & Serving Temperatures
Red wines with full bodies which are made using thick skinned grapes typically have rich flavours, high tannin levels and ABV (alcohol levels) of higher than 13.5%.
Here are the perfect storage temperatures for these types of full bodied red wines:
| Type of Wine | Ideal Storage Temperature (°C) | Ideal Storage Temperature (°F) | Ideal Serving Temperature (°C) | Ideal Serving Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Burgundy | 12-16°C | 54-61°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 12-16°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Barberesco | 12-16°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Brunello | 12-16°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Malbec | 12-16°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Merlot | 12-16°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Recioto | 12-16°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Shiraz | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Grand Cru | 12-16°C | 54-61°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Bordeaux | 12-16°C | 54-61°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Zinfandel | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Carmenere | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Ribera del Duero | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Vintage Port | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Madeira | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 14-16°C | 57-61°F |
| Banyuls | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
2. Light To Medium Bodied Red Wine Storage & Serving Temperatures
Red wines with light to medium bodies which are made using thin skinned grapes typically have ABV (alcohol levels) of 12.5% to 13.5%.
Here are the perfect storage temperatures for these types of red wines:
| Type of Wine | Ideal Storage Temperature (°C) | Ideal Storage Temperature (°F) | Ideal Serving Temperature (°C) | Ideal Serving Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaujolais | 12-14°C | 54-57°F | 13-15°C | 55-59°F |
| Portuguese and Spanish Red Wines | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Light Zinfandels | 12-14°C | 54-57°F | 13-15°C | 55-59°F |
| Chianti | 14-16°C | 57-61°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Bordeaux | 12-16°C | 54-61°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Merlot | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Rioja | 14-16°C | 57-61°F | 16-18°C | 61-64°F |
| Pinot Noir | 12-16°C | 54-61°F | 14-16°C | 57-61°F |
3. Sweet Red Wine Storage & Serving Temperatures
Here are the perfect storage and serving temperatures for these types of sweet red wines:
| Type of Wine | Ideal Storage Temperature (°C) | Ideal Storage Temperature (°F) | Ideal Serving Temperature (°C) | Ideal Serving Temperature (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherry | 14-16°C | 57-61°F | 12-14°C | 54-57°F |
| Tawny Port | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 12-14°C | 54-57°F |
| Chinon | 12-16°C | 54-61°F | 14-16°C | 57-61°F |
| Brachetto d'Acqui | 12-14°C | 54-57°F | 8-10°C | 47-50°F |
| Lambrusco | 12-16°C | 54-61°F | 8-10°C | 47-50°F |
| Sparkling Wine | 6-10°C | 43-50°F | 6-8°C | 43-46°F |
| Rosso Dolce | 14-18°C | 57-64°F | 14-16°C | 57-61°F |
| Vin Santo | 10-15°C | 50-59°F | 10-12°C | 50-54°F |
Why Red Wine Should Be Stored At The Right Temperature
Red wine needs to be stored at the correct temperature otherwise the wines taste and ability to age well is negatively impacted.
What Happens When Storing Red Wine Above 65°F
Storing red wine at warmer temperatures will age it quicker.
Keeping it in conditions above a temperature of 70°F will negatively impact its flavour and aromas and can also damage the wines seal which can cause further unwanted oxidisation.
What Happens When Storing Red Wine Below 45°F
Storing red wine at coolers temperatures will age it slower.
Keeping it in conditions below a temperature of 45°F will make it harder to age the bottle and therefore you can no longer adhere to the aging wine timetable.
Storing red wines below 20°F can damage the wines cork / seal and even result in the glass bottle cracking!
Storing Red Wine Perfectly
Storing wine may seem like a real art to most, but its not as hard as people make out, as long as you keep the following factors in mind:
1. Bottle Orientation
It may be tempting to store your bottles straight up, as you found them on the wine shelf in the shop, but try and lay your red wine on its side when you can.
Doing this will help to keep the cork from drying out, keeping your red wine better for longer.
2. Stillness
Try to disturb your bottles as infrequently as possible, treat them like a sleeping child.
Stillness and lack of disturbances are key to a wine's longevity, as unnecessary movements can alter the taste of the wine.
So try to avoid using domestic kitchen refrigerators where you can, as these tend to vibrate quite a lot.
3. Light Levels
All wine, whether it be sparkling, white or red, needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and away from any potential UV rays.
This will help to reduce the chance of any faults developing over time.
4. Humidity
Long-term storage of red wine requires a humidity level between 50-85%, and this will also help keep the cork in a good condition.
Just be aware that any higher humidity will encourage mould damage so try and keep your bottles within this range and not over.
5. Temperature
The best temperature for storing red wine is between 11 and 14 °C (52-57 °F).
Most wine cellars and specialised wine fridges should be set at this temperature range, meaning you don't have to worry about temperature.
So taking all of that into account, what are the best places for storing bottles of red wine?
How To Store Opened Red Wine
Here's the thing: as soon as your red wine has been opened oxygen is going to interact with it and slowly diminish the wine’s flavour and vitality.
So to help keep this pesky oxygen at bay for as long as possible, put a stopper or cork in the wine bottle and keep it in the fridge where possible.
Yes, red wine can go in the fridge! And this can help keep the wine fresher for longer.
Does this mean that unopened red wine should go in the fridge too?
How To Store Unopened Red Wine
The key to storing unopened bottles of red wine for as long as possible is to keep them cool and calm, like a sleeping baby.
So find somewhere with:
- Minimal exposure to light
- Cool and consistent temperatures
- Away from any disturbances caused from loud noises and vibrations
A quality wine fridge works wonders here.
They will have all the conditions your red wine needs, so you don't have to worry about humidity or temperature.
So where is a good place to store red wine?
Where Should You Store Red Wine?
When you’re looking for places to store your red wine it’s important to find somewhere that covers the criteria we talked about previously.
A wine cellar or a specialised wine fridge will be perfect for storing your red wine, having been designed with wine bottles in mind.
If you don’t have either of those don’t panic, a garage, or food pantry will also work.
Just try to routinely check in with your red wine when you can and keep an eye for any changes in conditions which may affect your red wine.
So now you've found your perfect storage location for red wine, how should you place your red wine bottles once they're in there?
Should Red Wine Be Stored Upright or Horizontally?
If you can, try and store your red wine horizontally by laying the bottles on their side.
A wine rack or wine fridge with horizontal shelves will help to make sure they’re stored horizontally without rolling about.
Laying your red wine bottles on their side will help to stop the cork from drying out and ultimately spoiling the red wine over time.
Will this affect how long a red wine can last once it's been opened?
How Long Can You Store Red Wine Once Opened?
If you store the bottles well, most red wine can last between 3-4 days once opened.
But what about the red wine you haven't got round to drinking just yet?
How long can unopened red wine be stored for?
How Long Can You Store Unopened Red Wine?
Unlike white wine, which has a slightly shorter shelf life, most red wines can last for up to 10 years if unopened.
This amount of time is why its so important to pay attention to your storage conditions.
You see, the tannins in red wines give the wine a lot of structure which helps to ensure they age for a longer period of time.
So it's nice to help those tannins out by placing the bottles in a well thought-out storage location.
So does that mean that red wine can go bad?
Does Red Wine Go Bad?
Just like white and sparkling wine, red wine is capable of going bad too, if left unchecked for too long.
What should you look out for to see if your red wine has gone bad?
How Can You Tell Red Wine Has Gone Bad?
There are a few key signs that a red wine wine has gone bad:
- What colour is the wine? Is it bright and light or has it gone slightly dull and pale in colour? If it’s looking a little tired, chances are it’ll taste tired, too.
- How does the red wine smell? If you can’t smell the usual red wine aromas then there’s a chance your wine may have gone bad.
- Finally, what does the wine taste like? If it tastes unpleasant, or more like a red wine vinegar then perhaps it's time to say goodbye to this particular bottle.
But could a fridge help to keep red wine at its best for longer?
Do You Keep Opened Red Wine In The Fridge?
This very much depends on the wine and the fridge.
A lot of red wines will actually benefit from being slightly chilled, which is where a wine fridge really comes into its own.
Domestic kitchen fridges run a little too cold for red wine, so either try and store the opened red wine in a cool place, or remember to take it out of the fridge and let it warm up a little before drinking.
So if you can chill opened red wine does that mean unopened bottles of red wine can go in the fridge as well?
Do You Keep Unopened Red Wine In The Fridge?
Try to avoid keeping bottles of red wine in the fridge for long periods of time as the conditions aren’t always the best.
Instead opt for some specialised wine storage or look for somewhere cool with little exposure to light and your red wine should be happy there for years to come.
But can you keep your red wine forever?
Does Red Wine Expire
Yes, we’re sorry to say that red wine does expire.
So grab that bottle you’ve been meaning to open, invite some friends round and drink it before it is too late.
Before You Go...
We hope this provides you all the information you may need on how long does red wine last?
Interested to know more about how long wine lasts? Check out our full guide here:
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or email us at info@expertwinestorage.co.uk
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