How to Store Champagne and Sparkling Wine: What Makes Them Different from Regular Wine?
Champagne and sparkling wines are often associated with celebrations, but these elegant bottles deserve more than a spot in the back of the refrigerator while waiting for a special occasion. Though sold ready to enjoy, with proper sparkling wine and champagne storage, you can preserve their brilliance for months—or even years—without sacrificing flavor, effervescence, or overall character. Storing sparkling wine isn’t drastically different from storing still wine, but there are a few extra considerations to keep in mind. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Store Bottles on Their Side
When storing Champagne and sparkling wine, they should be stored horizontally. Keeping the bottle on its side ensures the cork stays moist, preventing it from drying out and shrinking. A dried cork can allow oxygen in and carbonation out—ruining the bubbles that make sparkling wines so special.
Storing bottles at a slight angle also positions the ullage (the small air pocket inside the bottle) correctly, helping the wine age gracefully over time.
2. Keep Bottles Stable
Vibrations can be particularly damaging to sparkling wines. Movement disrupts the delicate balance of acid and alcohol, sometimes leading to off flavors or sourness. For this reason, standard refrigerators aren’t ideal for long-term storage—the motor vibrations and constant door openings can harm the wine.
Instead, consider a dedicated wine fridge designed to hold bottles securely and at stable conditions.
3. When Storing Champagne, Protect from Light
Just like still wine, Champagne is highly sensitive to light exposure. UV rays can cause chemical reactions that produce sulphur-based compounds, resulting in unpleasant, cabbage-like aromas.
The solution? Store bottles in a dark environment. A custom wine cellar is ideal, or if you prefer modern convenience, a wine fridge with UV-protective glass doors keeps your collection safe while still on display.
4. Maintain Proper Humidity
Humidity levels play a critical role in keeping corks intact. Sparkling wines should be stored at a relative humidity of 50–85%. Too little humidity dries out corks, while too much can encourage mold growth.
Wine cellars and climate-controlled wine fridges are excellent at maintaining this balance, giving you peace of mind that your bottles are aging properly.
5. Control Temperature
Of all storage factors, temperature is the most important. Champagne and sparkling wines thrive at 50–55 °F (10–13 °C). Household refrigerators, typically set much colder, can damage the wine over time if used for storage beyond a few days.
Dedicated storage solutions like wine fridges or cellars keep bottles at a consistent, safe temperature, preserving both flavor and effervescence.
Sparkling Wine & Champagne Storage Takeaways
Champagne and sparkling wines may be delicate, but with the right care, they can age beautifully and remain celebration-ready for years. Remember the essentials:
● Store bottles on their side
● Keep them stable and still
● Protect them from light
● Maintain balanced humidity
● Control temperature carefully
Whether you’re safeguarding a single vintage Champagne or building a collection of sparkling favorites, WineRacks.com offers storage solutions to protect your investment. From custom wine cellars to climate-controlled wine fridges, we’ll help ensure your bottles stay in perfect condition until the moment you pop the cork.