Champagne is a type of wine made in France.Due to its unique texture, this celebratory drink has some special storage requirements.Your champagne will stay good for a long time if you fill these requirements.
Step 1: It's a good idea to store your champagne in a cool area.
The champagne storage solutions need a temperature of around 55 F.Short-term storage can be done with temperatures that are above freezing and below room temperature.You can use your refrigerator as a short-term storage container.Do not store your bottles in the freezer.
Step 2: It's a good idea to keep your champagne away from the sun.
Sun rays can alter the internal temperature of champagne, changing the drink's chemical makeup in unpleasant ways.If possible, place your champagne bottles in a shaded area with little to no sunlight or a completely enclosed storage container with no light exposure.If you can't find a shaded area, cover your bottles with thin, dark-colored fabric.
Step 3: The bottles should be on a sturdy surface.
If you want to preserve your champagne's texture, keep your bottles on a solid surface.Place the bottles upright or lay them on their sides for short-term storage.
Step 4: If your bottles are sealed, store them for no more than a month.
You can keep a bottle of champagne for between 3 and 5 days after opening it.The bottles should last around a month when opened.If you want to keep your bottles longer, you should invest in a champagne storage room.
Step 5: A champagne storage rack or shelving unit is a good purchase.
The device you use to store your champagne doesn't have to be fancy or pretty, it simply needs enough space to hold your bottles.A general-purpose shelving unit will suffice for many.If you prefer, you can purchase a professionally-built champagne storage rack.At wine shops, furniture stores, and home improvement stores you can find metal or redwood champagne racks.When buying shelving units, look for models made of metal or wood.Make sure the shelving material is thick enough to hold the weight of your bottles.Don't use free standing shelving units.You can secure models to the wall with screws or nails.
Step 6: You can put your rack in a humid room.
If you want the best storage for your champagne, place it in a room with enough insulation to protect it from extreme temperatures.Try to find a room that is at least 50% humid.Wine cellars that are specially designed for drinks like champagne can be found in some houses.Look for a room that is at least 1.5 in thick and has a hard floor.If you can't find a humid room to store your bottles in, or if your home's humidity fluctuates throughout the year, consider purchasing a humidifier from a home improvement store.
Step 7: Place your bottles on the rack.
If you plan to store your champagne bottles for a long time, lay them out on a rack or shelf.You can store a champagne bottle upright for a short time, but long-term storage will dry out the bottle's cork, making it more difficult to open.You don't have to leave any space between your bottles.
Step 8: It's best to keep your bottles at 55 F.
The storage room should be kept at a constant temperature between 50 and 59 F.It is possible to install a thermostat or cooling unit in the room to give you more control over the temperature.You should check your bottles once a week to make sure they are not too hot or cold.
Step 9: To keep sunlight out of the room, cover the windows.
The temperature of the room can be raised by exposing the windows that let in sunlight.If you want to prevent this, cover the windows in your storage room with thick curtains.If you prefer, tint your windows instead.While preserving the room's view, this will prevent sunlight from entering.
Step 10: You can keep your champagne for up to 5 days if opened or 10 years if sealed.
When opened, champagnes have a short shelf life.Vintage champagne lasts between 5 and 10 years while non-vintage champagne will last for 3 to 4 years.The champagne will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days once opened.Vintage means champagne made with grapes of a single harvest year.Any champagne made with grapes from multiple harvest years is non-vintage.To help retain their texture, cover opened champagne bottles with champagne seals.
Step 11: Cool champagne by putting it in a refrigerator.
Your champagne can be damaged by extreme temperature fluctuations.If you want to avoid this, chill your champagne in a refrigerator.The process should take about 4 hours, though some units may chill it at a faster or slower rate.
Step 12: Use a bucket of ice to chill your bottle.
If you need to chill a bottle of champagne quickly, grab a bucket and fill it with ice.Place your champagne bottle inside the ice with rock salt to help it melt faster.The process should take between 10 and 25 minutes.Don't use a freezer to chill a champagne bottle.It could ruin the flavor of the drink.
Step 13: When it is about 48 F, take your champagne out.
Most people prefer champagne to be served just below storage temperature.It is harder to detect unique aromas when the temperature is cold.The champagne is protected from extreme cold by being served just below the storage temperature.You can test your bottle's temperature without opening it.You can find them in wine and kitchen stores.
Step 14: Store opened champagne bottles in the fridge for up to 5 days.
You can keep a champagne bottle in the fridge for up to 5 days after opening it.If you want to preserve the drink's texture, cover it with a champagne sealer.If you store your champagne on a shelf that is not used often, it will not lose its flavor.
Step 15: You can put the champagne bottles in the storage room.
If you chilled a champagne bottle but didn't open it, you can put it back in your storage room.It is a good idea to warm it up in a separate area so the chilled temperature doesn't affect your other bottles.Move it back to where it was before.