I received a bottle of wine as a gift. I looked up its description on Wine
Spectator's web site. It says "Best after 2010." What should I do with it? I
don't mind waiting, but I'm not sure I can store it properly. My basement is
finished, thus not cool like a wine cellar, and the refrigerator is probably
too cold. It is a 2001 Sauternes. Thanks in advance.

On Sun, 11 Jul 2004 06:00:01 GMT, "Vincent" >
wrote:

>I received a bottle of wine as a gift. I looked up its description on Wine
>Spectator's web site. It says "Best after 2010." What should I do with it? I
>don't mind waiting, but I'm not sure I can store it properly. My basement is
>finished, thus not cool like a wine cellar, and the refrigerator is probably
>too cold. It is a 2001 Sauternes. Thanks in advance.

Somewhere dark, with a constant and coolish temperature. Your fridge
should be OK, but I don't really think you want it there for years -
do you have a dark cupboard in an unheated room?

--
Steve Slatcher
http://pobox.com/~steve.slatcher

On 11-Jul-2004, "Vincent" > wrote:

> I received a bottle of wine as a gift. I looked up its description on Wine
> Spectator's web site. It says "Best after 2010." What should I do with it?
> I
> don't mind waiting, but I'm not sure I can store it properly. My basement
> is
> finished, thus not cool like a wine cellar, and the refrigerator is
> probably
> too cold. It is a 2001 Sauternes. Thanks in advance.

Cool, dark place will work.... under the stairs? Back of a closet? The
trick is to maintain a constant temperature, no vibration, and no light.
Below 70 degrees is a must for longer-term storage and preferrably 60 or
below. If you are planning on drinking around 2010, then the 70 degrees
would be okay.

Cheers,
Gary

"Vincent" > wrote in message
...
> I received a bottle of wine as a gift. I looked up its description on Wine
> Spectator's web site. It says "Best after 2010." What should I do with it?
I
> don't mind waiting, but I'm not sure I can store it properly. My basement
is
> finished, thus not cool like a wine cellar, and the refrigerator is
probably
> too cold. It is a 2001 Sauternes. Thanks in advance.
>
Hi Vincent

sorry for this brief reply, I'll try and offer the facts, (without
explanation). Sorry but I've got to go to bed..

Four things to worry about.
1. Light: keep the wine in the dark, even if that means wrapping the bottle
in tin foil.
2. Temperatu don't worry too much about cold but don't let it freeze. Be
more concerned with variation and very concerned with heat.
3. Movement: the fridge is out, I'm afraid. The vibrations cause something
called bottle shock which mutes the flavours of all wines. Wines can recover
from it if left stable for some time but six years in a domestic fridge
is.......well, I wouldn't risk it.
4. Keep it on it's side: possibly the most important consideration.

Some subscribers might furnish you with some of the science behind this or
I'll try to find time tomorrow if you're interested.
BTW, what's the Sauternes?

I hope this helps
Sammy