Wine Crumudgeon advice?

[n144mann]

from what I understand, stability of temperature is more inportant than the actual temp.....if you want ideal...then get the fridge but ideal is about 55-60... I think that what you really want to avoid is large shift in temps that will force the corks out. also...keep your wine out of sunlight....put your wine on its side, in a nice quiet corner in a dark closet, and it will do you well. Keep in mind that the longer you want to store your wines, the closer to ideal you will want to be. If you are only keeping them on hand for a matter of months, or 10 years makes a difference. Also, make sure if you keep your wines at a temp in the 80's that you chill them before serving ..a red served at a temp much above 70 would be a disappointment and a waste of a nice wine.
A serving temp should be room temp in a drafty castle.....somewhere in the mid sixties.....some really fruity reds can even go a bit below that, esp with picnic eats on a hot day. Good luck and enjoy your wines, that is what they were created for!!!
Nancy



[This message has been edited by n144mann (edited 08-07-99).]