Temperature, humidity, light and bottle position are all key factors in determining where to store your wine. The ideal storage conditions can be consistently met and are cool, dark, humid and still surroundings. A higher humidity level helps to keep the corks from shrinking and allowing oxygen in, resulting in oxidation of the wine. The ideal humidity is between 65-75%. The most important factor is to keep your wine away from heat and light.

By intentionally storing a wine on its side, you will help keep the cork in constant contact with the wine. This will keep the cork moist, which should keep it from shrinking and allowing the enemy of wine, oxygen, to seep into the bottle. When oxygen comes into contact with wine, the wine starts to oxidise and the aromas, flavours and colour all begin to spoil.

Storing wine in a refrigerator is not a good idea, as the wine is not kept 'still' and the constant vibration agitates the wine and, in red wine, prevents sediment from settling.