7 Common Wine Storage Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Wine storage is a science. How you store your bottles now will determine whether your prized Pinot, Bordeaux, or Chardonnay ages beautifully—just as the winemaker intended—or turns into a disappointing pour years down the line.

Proper wine storage keeps your vintages tasting exactly as they should, preserving their flavor, aroma, and value. And the good news is you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics to store wine correctly.

Whether you love the traditional look of wood wine storage racks or the ultra-modern style of a residential wine wall, with the right setup you can admire your collection while preserving your wine’s integrity over time.

We’re going to explain how to properly store wine ahead and reveal some of the most common wine storage mistakes—and how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Not storing wine on its side

Storing wine bottles upright might seem fine, but it’s a common mistake that can ruin your wine over time. When bottles sit vertically, the cork dries out, shrinks, and allows oxygen inside. Even tiny amounts of air can oxidize the wine, dulling flavors and aromas. Keeping the wine in contact with the cork is vital for preserving the wine’s integrity, especially over the long term.

The Fix: Invest in proper wine racks that keep bottles positioned on their sides. It doesn’t matter whether you choose single, double, or triple-deep wood or metal wine racks, as long as bottles are stored horizontally.

Mistake #2: Exposing wine to sunlight

Sunlight can wreak havoc on your wine collection. UV rays break down the delicate chemical compounds in wine, leading to something called “light strike.” This leaves your wine tasting flat, dull, or even slightly cooked. White wines are especially vulnerable since they’re often stored in lighter glass bottles.

The Fix: Store wine in a dark or windowless room to protect it from sunlight. If the room has windows, use blackout shades behind the blinds or curtains to ensure complete UV protection.

Mistake #3: Letting wine get too warm

Heat speeds up the aging process and breaks down a wine’s flavor profile. Extreme temperature swings can cause the cork to expand and contract, pulling air into the bottle. So how long can you store wine at room temperature? It depends on the ambient temperature of the room and how the temperature fluctuates throughout the day. The best temperature to store wine is between 55°F and 65°F with 50-70% humidity.

The Fix: Store wine in a room that does not experience significant temperature and humidity fluctuations, like a basement. Build a custom cellar or wine room, if needed. Even a small hallway closet can potentially hold hundreds of bottles.

Mistake #4: Storing wine near appliances or machinery

You might think it’s ok to store wine in your basement next to the washing machine, but this is bad news. Vibrations are a sneaky but serious threat to wine. Appliances like refrigerators and even air conditioners send subtle vibrations through nearby surfaces. Over time, these vibrations disturb the sediments in the bottle, potentially speeding up unwanted chemical changes that mess with taste and aroma.

The Fix: Store wine away from appliances, machinery, or anything that creates vibrations. If you plan to store wine in wall-mounted racks, make sure there are no appliances on the other side of the wall that could be creating subtle vibrations.

Mistake #5: Not considering humidity levels

Humidity is critical for proper wine storage. But you need the right humidity level—think of it as a Goldilocks zone. Too little humidity dries out corks, causing air leaks that spoil the wine. Too much humidity could create mold growth on corks, labels, and racks. The sweet spot is between 50% and 70% humidity, which protects your wine without encouraging mold growth.

The Fix: If you live in a dry area, like the desert, invest in a wine refrigeration system that controls temperature and humidity. Do not rely on your regular refrigerator for wine storage.

Mistake #6: Keeping wine in a regular food fridge

A standard kitchen fridge is designed to keep food fresh, not protect fine wine. The temperature is often too cold, which stunts the aging process, and the low humidity dries out corks. Plus, strong food odors—think garlic or onions—can seep through corks and taint your wine’s flavor. Over time, your collection can lose its character.

The Fix: Invest in a wine room or cellar that’s properly refrigerated. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a custom wine cellar. With modular racks, you can convert a dark, cool closet into a mini wine room yourself.

Mistake #7: Not investing in a wine refrigeration system

We’ve talked a lot about temperature and humidity control—but it bears repeating because it’s that important. If you’re serious about collecting or aging wine, relying on your home’s natural conditions simply may not cut it. Wine should be stored at a temperature of 55-65°F. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can damage your wine, especially valuable bottles meant to age for years. For investment wines, proper climate control is non-negotiable.

The Fix: Outfit your wine storage space with a refrigeration unit designed just for wine, like systems by Wine Guardian or WhisperKOOL.

Build Your Wine Storage System with Wine Racks America

Wine Racks America carries a wide selection of wine storage solutions from industry leaders like InstaCellar, VintageView, and Millesime. Our expert team offers custom cellar design services using state-of-the-art 3D drawings and CAD software to bring your vision to life.

Whether you’re converting a small closet or building a walk-in wine cellar, we’ll help you create a climate-controlled, visually stunning space that keeps your collection safe and beautifully displayed. Get in touch today to find the perfect wine storage solution for your needs.