This ensures that the corks are in contact with the wine and thus remain moist, swollen and airtight. Wine is a living thing and matures in the bottle. As such wine will become smoother with time and develop wonderful aromas. Here are the ideal long term storage conditions. Temperature Range Drastic changes in temperature can cause the bottle contents to expand and shrink.
Air passes through the gap between the cork and bottle.
Anywhere between 10 to 15 degrees Centigrade is ideal. If you are unable to store your wines within the 10-15 temperature ranges, try to find a location in your home where the temperature is stable, even if it is in the 20's. In drying out, the seal between the cork and the bottle neck is compromised and creating a gap. If your wines are stored in an air-conditioned room, placing a bowl of water near the wines to maintain humidity is a good measure. Darkness and Restfulness Light does strange things to wine - they go hazy.