Myth vs. Fact: Does Wine Need to Be Stored on Its Side?
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The image of rows of bottles lying horizontally in a dim, climate controlled wine warehouse is iconic,... View more
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The image of rows of bottles lying horizontally in a dim, climate controlled wine warehouse is iconic, but the why behind the practice is often misunderstood. The prevailing myth—“all wine must be stored on its side”—stems from the belief that a horizontal position is the only way to keep a cork moist, thereby preventing premature oxidation. In reality, the need to lie bottles flat depends on the closure type, the wine’s intended aging window, and the storage environment. Natural corks do benefit from gentle contact with wine, which keeps the cork from drying out and shrinking; a dry cork can let air seep in, compromising the wine. However, synthetic corks, screw caps, and glass stoppers are impermeable to moisture, so they can safely sit upright without any risk. Moreover, modern wine warehouses employ precise temperature (55 °F ± 5 °F) and humidity (60–70 %) controls that mitigate the drying effect even for corked bottles, allowing short term upright storage without damage.
Bottom line: In a properly managed Wine Warehouse West Palm Beach, side lying is a best practice for long term aging of cork sealed wines, but it is not a universal rule. Understanding the closure and the storage conditions lets collectors and retailers make informed decisions—keeping the wine safe without relying on a one size fits all myth.