A Champagne wine that has come to market is a wine that has already been in the cellar for at least 15 months. So, it is ready to be enjoyed. However, it can be stored at home, but not under any old conditions, as the environment in which the bottles will rest has an essential role to play. Here are some tips on how to store Champagne properly.
At what temperature should Champagne be stored?
Champagne wine should be stored in a cool, dark, ventilated place, that can maintain a consistent temperature (between 10 and 15°C). Champagne is a sensitive wine, so temperature variations must be avoided at all costs as they can alter the quality and effervescence of the Champagne. If too hot, the wine may age too quickly. If, on the other hand, it is too cold, the cork may dry out and the Champagne may crystallise.
How to position a bottle of Champagne?
To prevent the wine from oxidising prematurely, Champagne bottles should ideally be kept lying down so that the cork remains in constant contact with the liquid. But this is by no means an obligation. If there is not enough space, the bottles can remain upright because the slow evaporation of the fizz is enough to keep the cork sufficiently moist.
Humidity
70% humidity is ideal to prevent the cork from drying out, which could lead to a loss of pressure. If the storage space is too humid, the cork could be affected by mould.
Brightness
Even though dark bottles have filtering properties, direct exposure to sunlight or moonlight degrades the wine prematurely and causes reductive aromas to appear. To avoid this so-called “lightstrike”, it is therefore preferable to let the Champagne rest peacefully in the dark.
Vibrations
A bottle of Champagne should never be shaken or moved abruptly as the vibrations throw the wine out of balance and alter its ageing process. To stabilise and regain its balance, the wine must rest undisturbed.
Storing your bottles of Champagne, even without a cellar
Champagne wines have good ageing potential and can be kept for several years without altering their qualities and aromas. Ideally, a Champagne should be consumed within 3 to 5 years of its bottling date. Vintages and special Cuvees can even be kept for 8 to 10 years. In the absence of an actual cellar, Champagne can be stored in a refrigerated wine cabinet, its box or a bottle rack, in a cool place or an unheated room.
For the people of Champagne, the true definition of happiness is always having a few bottles in the cellar or in the fridge to make every occasion sparkle, whatever the time of day!
