Short-term, is it OK to store wine at room temperature?
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
I haven't taken the plunge and bought a wine fridge yet, but I'm buying more wine these days. Is it OK to store wine bottles at room temperature if they’re going to be enjoyed within a few months?
—Michael, Las Vegas
Dear Michael,
The short answer is yes, they'll be fine. But … make sure the bottles aren't stored in direct sunlight—your best bet is to stash them in a closet or inside a box where they won't be disturbed or exposed to light. You should also avoid putting the wines near any source of vibration, which may agitate the wine and cause premature aging. Be sure to check out our guide to wine storage for more details.
It sounds like you might be well on your way to the start of a wine collection, so you might want to start researching wine coolers. The more you invest in wine, the more important it will be to protect your investment!
—Dr. Vinny
