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Store your bottles horizontally. This ensures the corks are kept in constant contact with the wine, keeping the cork from drying out. If the cork dries out, it can't keep the bottle properly sealed; wine could leak out and air could get in. Invasive air is an arch enemy to proper wine storage.
Store your bottles peacefully. Wine, like people, prefers a stable, moderate environment--not too hot, not too cold, 55 degrees is optimal. Don't store your wine in the kitchen near your stove or out in the garage where temperatures will fluctuate dramatically. If you can, invest in a small wine refrigerator. However, if space is a factor, find a cool, dark cupboard or closet in a temperature stable place in your home. Heat can kill your wine! If your wine collection outgrows your closet, consider a local establishment that offers cellaring and storage for a nominal fee.
Some wines are meant to be enjoyed young; pay attention to which wines should continue to rest and which are ready to uncork. Tannins act as a preservative, allowing wines to age for several years and, sometimes, decades. However, many wines have soft or no tannins and are made in a style that is meant to be drunk within a couple of years. Keep your big, beefy, tannic reds in the back of your closet and keep your early-drinking wines in an easy-to-get-to spot. You may even wish to use cellar tags that cue you to open wines within a certain timeframe. It's ideal to purchase several bottles of the same wine so that you can open them over time, experiencing how the wine evolves as it ages.
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