Where to Store Alcoholic Beverages for the Christmas Season
As the festive season approaches, many households and event organisers are gearing up for Christmas celebrations. Stocking up on alcoholic beverages ahead of time is a smart move, ensuring you have everything you need for your Christmas gatherings. However, proper storage is crucial to maintaining the quality of your drinks from now until Christmas. Here's a guide on how to efficiently store your new stock of alcoholic beverages from Fletcher Drinks, so they are in the ideal condition when it’s time to celebrate or when unexpected guests pop in.
Choose the Right Environment
The environment in which you store your alcoholic beverages plays a significant role in maintaining their quality. Different types of alcohol have specific storage needs:
Wine
Wine is highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, humidity, and light. Store wine bottles in a cool, dark place, ideally at a temperature between 10-15°C. If you have the space, consider using a wine rack in a pantry or cellar to keep the bottles lying flat. This ensures the cork stays moist, preventing oxidation.
Beer
Store your beer in a cool place but avoid freezing temperatures, as this can affect the taste and carbonation. If you have craft beers or specialty brews, be sure to store them upright in a dark place to protect the flavours.
Spirits
Most spirits are more durable than wine and beer, but they should still be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Excessive light and heat can degrade the quality over time. Spirits should be stored upright to avoid contact with the cork, which can lead to spoilage.
Avoid Temperature Fluctuations
While finding the right temperature is important, consistency is key. Regular fluctuations can harm the chemical balance of your beverages, particularly wines and beers. If you don’t have a dedicated wine fridge, keep your drinks in a location that maintains a steady temperature, such as a cellar or cupboard.
Humidity Control
Humidity is another factor to consider, especially for wines with cork lids. The ideal humidity level for wine storage is between 60% and 70%. Too much humidity can cause labels to peel, while too little can dry out the corks, leading to oxidation. If possible, use a humidifier or dehumidifier to control this.
Positioning of Bottles
It’s important to always store wine bottles horizontally. This helps keep the cork moist and ensures the wine stays properly sealed. If the cork dries out, air can seep into the bottle, leading to oxidation and spoilage.
For beers and spirits, keeping bottles upright is essential. This ensures that the liquid doesn't come into contact with the cork, preventing contamination. It also helps preserve the carbonation in beer.
Keep Away from Direct Sunlight
Sunlight can be particularly damaging to alcoholic beverages. It causes heat build up and, in the case of wine and beer, can cause ‘lightstruck’ flavours, which result in a loss of aroma and taste. Spirits can also lose their colour or develop off flavours if exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods. To avoid this, always store your bottles in a shaded or dark location.
Plan for Accessibility
When you’re preparing for Christmas festivities, you’ll likely need easy access to your stock of drinks. Organise your storage space so that your bottles are accessible without disturbing those you plan to keep longer. Label your wines, beers, and spirits, so you can easily identify what’s to be consumed first. You could even categorise your stock by occasion or type, for example, bubbly for Christmas day, whiskey for after dinner drinks.
Consider Long Term Storage Options
If you're buying a large stock of alcohol that won't all be consumed during the Christmas period, consider investing in longer term storage solutions including wine fridges, beer coolers and liquor cabinets.
A dedicated wine fridge can help maintain the optimal temperature and humidity for your wines. Whereas beer coolers help regulate temperature and are particularly useful if you have a variety of craft beers that require specific storage conditions. And for spirits, a high quality liquor cabinet can offer the right conditions and security while also adding a touch of elegance to your home.
Check for Seals and Expiry Dates
Before storing your drinks, ensure all bottles are tightly sealed. Loose caps or corks can lead to the alcohol evaporating or oxidising. It’s also a good idea to check expiry dates on beers, pre-mixed cocktails, and some wines. Consuming these closer to their production dates ensures they taste their best.
Preparation for Serving
When Christmas approaches, it’s time to prepare your drinks for serving. Most wines and beers benefit from being chilled before serving, while some spirits are best enjoyed at room temperature. Make sure to allow ample time to bring your beverages to the desired temperature on the day of your event.
Welcome to Fletcher Drinks
By following these simple storage tips, you can ensure that your stock of alcoholic beverages from Fletcher Drinks remains fresh and full of flavour for the festive season. Proper storage not only preserves the quality but also allows you to enjoy your drinks as they were intended, ensuring your Christmas celebrations are unforgettable.
Should you be considering stocking up on alcoholic beverages in preparation for the Christmas period, then rest assured Fletcher Drinks has a vast range of beverages available ready to be delivered straight to your door. Simply visit our website to discover our ranges, or get in contact with us by utilising the live chat feature for further guidance on storing your alcohol efficiently ready for Christmas.
