25 Sep 4 Things Restaurant Owners Must Know About Storing Wine
Storing wine can be tricky. If you are a restauranteur, then you’ll know that it’s not uncommon to put a 400% markup or more on a bottle of wine. While there are many valid reasons for this, if a customer pays more than quadruple than they would at home to drink a glass of wine—they want it to be good.
And if you’re storing your wine badly—any wine connoisseur is likely to be disappointed.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to store wine properly. Keep your customers coming back for the vino and read on for things to know about storing wine.
1. Corked Wine Bottles Must Be Stored on Their Sides
There’s a reason wine wracks are built the way they are.
Traditionally all wine bottles were corked. If corked wine stands upright for too long, the corks can dry out. This in turn can let air into the bottle and cause the wine to spoil.
While not all wines are sealed with genuine cork any more, those that are should always be stored on their sides to this.
2. Temperatures Is Key When Storing Wines
One of the most important things to keep in mind around storing wines is temperature. Both red and white wine ages optimally at roughly 55 degrees.
You might think that when it comes to storing red wine and storing white wine, the temps should be different. This is not the case.
While they are served at different temperatures, red and white vintages should both be stored at 55 degrees.
Storing white wine in the fridge should only be done when chilling it for serving. For instance, if you have a back bar counter fridge, you would stock it in preparation for clientele, but not as long term wine storage.
3. Wine Should Never Be Stored Under Lights
Another key tenant is to never store wine under lights. If you store wine under lights, or in indirect sunlight, you run the risk of “wine faults.” This occurs when light reacts with the phenolic compounds in wine, resulting in light-struck aromas.
If wine is light-struck, it impairs both the aroma and palate.
4. You Should Invest in Good Quality Wine Preservers
Besides protecting your sealed bottles of wine from light and temperature extremes, you also need to look at how your storing open wines. Open wine sours within approximately 2 days. If that is, it’s re-sealed properly after opening.
The best way to ensure your opened restaurant wines are always resealed tightly is to invest in a number of high-quality wine preservers. Otherwise, you might serve your patrons sour tasting wine.
Is Your Restaurant Too Warm for Storing Wine?
If you are aiming to make a name for yourself in the dining scape, serving premium wine is key. Sour or light-struck wine is not going to do your restaurant any favours. So make sure that you implement these tips when storing wine.
If your area experiences high temps, the first thing you’ll need to tend to is the temperature at which your wines are stored.
If you would like advice and assistance with solutions to keep your wine at the optimum temperature, reach out and we will be happy to help. Experts in all things refrigeration, we are a one-stop facility who stocks and installs just about any commercial and foodservice refrigeration solution.
