How to Store Magnum and Champagne Bottles Safely at Home

Large-format bottles add drama and elegance to a home collection, but they also demand smarter storage. A magnum bottle weighs more than a standard 750ml, Champagne bottles are often wider at the shoulder, and both can become awkward—or even unsafe—if forced into racks that were never designed for them. The right approach protects the glass, supports the cork, and keeps bottles easy to access without compromising style.

Here’s how to store Champagne bottles and magnums safely at home, with practical guidance that works for everyday living and long-term storage.

Why Magnum and Champagne Bottles Need Different Storage

Most wine rack systems are sized for standard Bordeaux bottles, which means larger-format bottles often need dedicated openings to prevent tight pulls and insecure support. When bottles don’t fit properly, the risk of damaged or dropped bottles increases.

Safe wine bottle storage starts with correct sizing. Storage designed specifically for Champagne bottles and magnums eliminates the need to “make it work” and creates a calmer, more secure setup.

Get the Storage Environment Right

Before choosing a Champagne or magnum wine rack, make sure the space itself supports long-term storage:

• Temperature: Keep wine storage between 50–60°F.
• Humidity: Aim for 50–70% relative humidity.
• Light: Champagne is especially sensitive to light, so darker locations are best.
• Vibration: Avoid areas near appliances or frequently slammed doors.

Consistency matters more than perfection. Be aware that kitchens, garages, and laundry rooms tend to fluctuate too much for reliable wine storage.

Positioning: How Do You Store the Bottles?

A common question is: how do you store Champagne and magnum bottles—upright or on the side?

For long-term storage, Champagne bottles and magnums should be stored horizontally. This keeps the cork from drying and provides full-length support along the bottle. Upright storage is fine for short-term convenience, such as bottles you plan to open soon in a bar or entertaining area, but it shouldn’t be the default for aging.

What matters most is avoiding partial support. Bottles should never hang past the edge of a rack or rest on narrow pegs not intended for larger diameters.

Safety rules that prevent breakage

A few practical rules make large-format storage safer and easier to use:

• Store heavy bottles at waist height or lower. Lifting a magnum bottle overhead increases the chance of slips.
• Use racks that cradle the bottle fully. Narrow perches and shallow shelves aren’t ideal for larger formats.
• Leave room to grip the bottle cleanly. You shouldn’t have to pry a bottle out of place.
• Avoid loose stacking. Large bottles shouldn’t roll freely on open shelves without a stop or lip.

Storage Solutions Built for Large Bottles

The safest wine storage solutions for magnum and Champagne bottles are designed around their size and weight from the start.

Dedicated magnum and Champagne rack openings

Wine Racks America’s Magnum & Champagne Wine Racks, part of the InstaCellar™ modular wood rack system, are built to accommodate wider bottle diameters and heavier glass, helping bottles sit securely instead of wedged into undersized slots.

These dedicated modules integrate easily with other InstaCellar™ wine racks, and they enable the collector to store standard bottles, Champagne, and magnums together without visual clutter or safety compromises.

Wall-mounted large-bottle displays

For homeowners who want accessibility and presentation, wall-mounted storage can be a smart choice. Wine Racks America’s Large Bottle Racks – Wall Series are designed specifically for Champagne and magnum wine bottles, offering label-forward storage with proper spacing and support.

These systems work well as a wine display in dining rooms, home bars, or smaller cellar spaces, provided they’re installed correctly and used within weight guidelines.

Full-depth modular racking for heavier formats

Depth plays an important role in stability. Full-depth racks allow bottles to rest securely along their length, which feels noticeably safer when handling heavier formats. Wine Racks America’s Build Your Own GrandCellar™ Storage System uses full-depth wood racks and modular sections that make it easier to plan secure long-term storage for magnum and Champagne bottles while maintaining a refined, built-in look.

Because the system is modular, homeowners can plan around real wall lengths and expand storage as their collection grows.

When bins and cubes make sense

Bins and cubes are useful for volume storage or overflow, especially for mixed bottle shapes. Load them carefully to prevent tight nesting, stagger rows to reduce pressure points, and keep labels from rubbing. Stability should always come before display in bin-style storage.

Style Without Sacrificing Access

Safe wine bottle storage doesn’t have to feel boring and utilitarian. Many homeowners dedicate one visible Champagne display row for visual interest, then store the rest of their bottles in secure rack openings. Mixing wood and metal elements helps storage blend naturally with the room, while indirect lighting protects bottles from unnecessary exposure.

A quick checklist for storing Champagne and magnums

●       Openings sized for Champagne and magnum wine bottles

●       Full bottle support with no overhang

●       Heavy bottles stored at safe heights

●       Stable temperature, controlled humidity, and low light

●       Easy access with a clean pull-out path

Storing large-format bottles safely is about proper support, correct sizing, and thoughtful placement. When your wine rack is designed specifically for Champagne storage and magnums, bottles stay protected and your wine storage looks as good as it performs.

Wine Racks America provides wine storage solutions for both DIY and custom wine cellar designs, that are built to last. With free shipping for both wood wine racks and metal display wine racks, expert design support, and DIY-friendly installation, it’s easy to build wine storage that protects your collection and fits your space.