Heatwave: How to protect your wines from the extreme heat?
There heat wave is already back with heatwaves reaching 40°C in some French cities! We are well above usual summer temperatures. And it is well known that wine It tolerates excessive heat very poorly. How protect your wines What about heat waves and high temperatures in general? Our article brings together some... advice on the right reflexes to have and the mistakes to avoid.
Reminder of wine storage conditions
Wine requires specific conditions to age optimally. While it is very rare today to own a ideal wine cellar At home, a few rules remain essential. First, wines must be stored in a horizontal position to prevent the stopper from drying out. The room in which they are stored must be darksufficiently humid and maintained at a stable temperature Between 11° and 15°C. Wine doesn't appreciate significant temperature fluctuations. A slight warming of the cellar, if done gently and not exceeding 18°C, won't significantly impact the wine's quality. Excessive heat leads to accelerated aging and can... alter its flavorsVibrations, such as those from a washing machine near the bottles, can also be harmful. Humidity, essential for proper wine aging, must also be considered. A cellar that is too dry will cause the cork to dry out and the wine to evaporate. A humidity level of at least 70% is recommended. Finally, it is important to protect your bottles from light, as prolonged exposure alters the wine's aromas. A cellar should be dark and equipped with low-intensity lighting.
Some tips to protect your wines
During transport
As you've probably guessed, the heatwave is the sworn enemy of your precious bottles. Wines single-varietal are the most fragile. What can be done to minimize the impact of this intense heat? First of all, if you wish to take bottles from your cellar on vacation, you must avoid certain mistakes. Generally speaking, the transport of wine is a practice delicateEspecially in such extreme temperatures. Indeed, it is strongly advised against placing bottles in your car without first cooling it down with the air conditioning system. beforehandThe thermal shock to 30°C that the wine would then undergo could dry out the cork and lead to oxidation and leakage of the product. insulated bag or the icebox also prove to be valuable allies! Finally, it goes without saying that you should not leave or forget the delicious nectar in the car if you stop for a long break.
3 good reflexesThings to have on hand when transporting your wines in hot weather
- Cool the car with the air conditioning before loading your bottles.
- Use insulated bags or coolers. Be careful not to chill the wine too much!
- Do not leave your bottles in the car during long breaks.
In your cellar
HAS residenceIf your cellar is not temperature-controlled, you can obtain a wine cabinet which stabilizes both temperature and humidity and protects your bottles from vibration, odor, and light. You have been caught off guard And your wine has been exposed to heat? Then it is advisable to drink it quicklyOnce it has returned to serving temperature, especially if it is a wine intended for aging. Younger wines withstand these extreme conditions better, but they also need to be drunk soon. effective solution To protect your wines from these incidents is to... stock at CavissimaWe store your bottles for you in a cellar. highly equipped And secure in Beaune.
3 important points to remember to protect your bottles from the heat
- Invest in an electric wine cabinet or an underground cellar with a temperature and humidity control system.
- In case of prolonged exposure to heat, drink the bottle quickly.
- Open an online wine cellar with Cavissima for greater peace of mind!