Dr_Tannin
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2498
 | | 11/27/2002 2:45 AM |
| Have always been curious about whether there really is a noticeable difference in storing wine vertically vs horizontally. Is there science or is it pseudoscience passed on through generations?
It turns out there is a difference in oxidation over time, more with vertically standing bottles, but not as much as we think, except with synthetics and ...screwcaps.
Please check out over the throne:
http://www.confex.com/ift/JFSonline_6208pB2VCZyA/pdfs/jfsv67n4p1374-1378ms20010371.pdf | | | |
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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4955
| | 11/28/2002 5:08 AM |
| Dr T. I always thought it was proper to store wines on their side to keep the corks moist, and therefore they stay expanded and not let any air in. If they are vertical, the corks can dry out, shrink, then let air in... oxidizing the wine.
Maybe I should read the link now.... hehe.
Ah yes... I didn't really read into what all those different cork types were... but the article makes perfect sense in regard to the oxidation of the wines. | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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Jeremy Matthew
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2067
| | 11/28/2002 6:18 AM |
| | I wonder why Stelvins caused oxidisation faster than normal cork. They are completely sealed and so only the oxygen bottled with the wine shoudl be capable of causing oxidisation. | | | |
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GATC
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2420
| | 11/28/2002 7:03 AM |
| Based on my analysis on the throne, the differences did not appear as significant as they really are because the timetables were very short. If they used years instead of months, the study would have better reflected the typical storage time.
The study confirms what has long been considered the right thing to do. | | | |
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Dr_Tannin
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2498
| | 11/29/2002 4:07 AM |
| GATC-
My take on this was the following:
The difference between upright storage and lay down storage is not as great with natural cork as one might think especially over the short interval. Anecdotal evidence supports this. Early drinking wines can be stores however you wish. Please also refer to Squires' site mwember comments and experiences. Of course, this assumes cellar humidity within desireable 50-80% range. The effects are likely greater over much longer time periods, 5-15 + years, presumably in an exponential function, though this is my guess based on chemistry.
The critical statement refers to the screwcaps. If ultimately this is the closure of choice, then you want to buy those wines on release and cellar horizontally as soon as you can. Buying screwcapped wine later or after being on the shelf or a warehouse for 1-2 years after this point could be incrementally more detrimental than cork. That could limit internet site or late release or auction purchase value.
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Brent Null
Roseville, CA
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2192
| | 11/29/2002 6:06 AM |
| Not to seem stupid here  ...but what is the consensus? Can I store my wine standing upright or should I lay it down horizontally?
Thanks! | | | |
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Jeremy Matthew
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2067
| | 11/29/2002 6:31 AM |
| Horizontal except for Champagne- the argument is still out on that.
Although Bob Campbell claimed it is of benefit to store Champagne upright. | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9054
| | 11/29/2002 6:31 PM |
| | Horizontal even for Champagne as far as I'm concerned. | | | |
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Dr_Tannin
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2498
| | 11/29/2002 6:38 PM |
| For wines to be drunk<5 years, there is likely to be no noticeable effect.
For almost all of us, this means nothing, since we have cellars, and these are almost always designed for laying bottles down on racks, which is the preferred position if you can store at home.
However, I know that among us, there are those whose overflow cases now line the hallways, adorn the attics, and gestate in the garages. Some might even be screwcap tops. This article is really for you. | | | |
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Brent Null
Roseville, CA
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2192
| | 11/30/2002 5:25 PM |
| | Dr.T: So you are saying if most of my wine is to be drunk within the next 5 years it's ok to store them standing up? What about upside down in the case box? | | | |
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Dr_Tannin
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2498
| | 11/30/2002 6:25 PM |
| What I am saying is that for the first 2 years standing bottles right side up or flat down doesn't matter if top is cork. Anecdotal evidence by experienced tasters elsewhere is that a period of 5 years works comparing similar bottles and cork tops. Beyond that all bets are off. Screwcaps are preferably stored laying down from day one. There is only neutrality to advantage to laying down. That's why I do. But for the space deprived this article should allay concerns about storage position.
Standing bottles upside down---not discussed in article---would work in outer space, since there is no weight difference in components. I believe, if you could hold the bottle down, by nailing the case to the ship floor, you could improve on this experiment and try every position known to man. On earth, gravity would bring all the sediment to the cork and into your first pour. | | | |
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Brent Null
Roseville, CA
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2192
| | 11/30/2002 7:41 PM |
| | Gotcha. Thanks! | | | |
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GATC
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2420
| | 12/03/2002 7:02 AM |
| | I don't want to go back and read the article because it printed out kind of fuzzy and the lighting on the throne is not that great. But, isn't it still safer to keep the cork wet at all time? It seems like the best wineries store their wines upside down in their corrugated cases in their temperature controlled warehouses. Any sediment that forms can be easily taken care of by "standing up" the bottle prior to opening like Board-O does. Since there is a lot of variability in the density of the corks, my biggest fear is that the cork dries out, more air seeps in and the wine oxidizes prematurely. | | | |
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