A Guide to Choosing and Storing Wine

You don’t need a fancy cellar to choose well and store wine properly — just a few simple principles that protect what’s in the bottle and help you pick the right one in the first place.

KWWritten & edited by Ken Wytsma, Wine History Tours
Willamette Valley wine-tour hosts

Two everyday wine skills trip people up more than they should: how to choose a good bottle, and how to store it once you have it. Neither requires expertise or expensive equipment — just an understanding of what actually matters.

Choosing a bottle

The best way to choose is to start from the occasion and the food, not the label. Think about what you’ll eat and who you’re with: a crisp white or sparkling for aperitifs and seafood, a lighter red like Pinot Noir for roast chicken or salmon, a fuller red for red meat. Note the region and vintage — both hint at style — and don’t be shy about asking a good wine shop for a recommendation in your price range. Understanding a little terroir and a few wine terms goes a long way.

Cool, dark, still, and on its side — four simple conditions that keep wine at its best.

Storing it properly

Wine has four simple needs. Keep it cool and steady — around 55°F is ideal, but the real enemy is big temperature swings, not a few degrees. Keep it dark, since light degrades wine over time. Store bottles with natural corks on their side, so the cork stays moist and doesn’t dry out and let air in. And keep them still, away from vibration. A cool closet or basement beats the top of the fridge or a sunny counter every time.

Cool, dark, still, on its side — remember those four words and your wine is in good hands.

Everyday tips

Most wine you buy is meant to be enjoyed within a year or two, so there’s no need to “lay it down” unless it’s a bottle built to age. Once opened, reseal and refrigerate — even reds — and most wines will hold for two to three days. A simple wine stopper is a worthwhile dollar.

Storing wine: the essentials
Temperature	Cool and steady (~55°F); avoid big swings and heat
Light	Store in the dark — light degrades wine
Position	On its side for corked bottles, to keep the cork moist
Stillness	Away from vibration and constant movement
Once opened	Reseal and refrigerate; most wines keep 2–3 days

The short versionChoose a bottle by matching it to the food and occasion, and don’t hesitate to ask a wine shop for help. Store wine cool (~55°F) and steady, dark, on its side, and still. Most wine is best drunk within a year or two; once opened, reseal and refrigerate, and it’ll keep a couple of days.

Want to understand what’s in the glass more deeply? Start with the meaning of terroir or our glossary of wine terms.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should wine be stored at?
Around 55°F is ideal, but consistency matters more than hitting an exact number — avoid heat and big temperature swings. Keep bottles cool, dark, still, and on their side.

How long does wine last after opening?
Most opened wines keep two to three days if resealed and refrigerated (yes, reds too). Sparkling wine fades faster; a proper stopper helps it hold its fizz a day or two.

Related reading: the art of aging wine · wine terms glossary · glasses per bottle

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