When you think about celebration and luxury, one of the first things that we see is a bottle of Champagne being opened. Champagne is the perfect beverage to celebrate any great occasion no matter how big or small.
Most homes have a bottle of Champagne stored away somewhere ready for a special occasion, but the last thing that you want is to finally pop open your bottle of Champagne and find that it’s undrinkable.
Cooling Champagne correctly is an overlooked aspect, as many people believe you can keep your Champagne where you like and it will be okay, but sometimes that’s not the case.
Let us help you get that ideal taste for your Champagne. We’ve put together this guide to help you learn how to cool Champagne properly so that when a special occasion arises, you can enjoy a glass of bubbly.
How Long Can I Keep an Unopened Bottle of Champagne in Storage?
Before you store your bottle of Champagne, you’ll need to ask yourself if are you planning to store your Champagne on a short-term or long-term basis. If you’re unsure how long you’re planning to keep your Champagne, no need to worry - these tips will help.
If you are planning to store your Champagne on a short-term basis (one month or less):
- Store your bottle upright
- Keep it away from UV rays
- Store your bottle above freezing temperatures but below room temperature
If you planning to keep your unbottled Champagne on a long-term basis (longer than a month):
- Lay your bottles of Champagne on a rack or shelf
- Store the bottles at a temperature between 50 and 59 degrees Celcius
- Keep your bottles away from harmful sunlight
Where Should I Store My Champagne?
The most popular place to store your bottles of Champagne (opened or unopened) is in a dark environment that has no harmful sunlight. Too much light exposure can damage your Champagne and alter the temperature that your bottles are being stored in, this can change the chemical makeup and ruin the overall taste.
We recommend that you keep your bottles of bubbly in an enclosed storage area where there’s no sign of light exposure. Most people don’t have the luxury of having a wine cellar inside their home, so the best option would be to find either a dark closet or a cupboard.
Another tip that we can recommend is using a thin cover that is made with a dark material to put over your champagne bottle. You should always avoid storing your bottles of Champagne inside your kitchen fridge, whether that be for the short-term or long-term.
There are many different reasons why the harmful light inside regular household fridges can be damaging to your Champagne bottles. In regular fridges, there are constant temperature fluctuations affecting the bottle which can be caused by frequent opening and closing of the fridge door.
If you are someone who invests in bottles of Champagne or other variations of wine, a perfect solution to cooling your collection is by purchasing a high-quality wine cooler. The key to making your Champagne or wine taste perfect is by storing it in the recommended conditions and temperatures.
Wine coolers are designed to keep your bottles of Champagne in excellent condition. Wine coolers are built with sleek shelving units or storage racks that can help you store your Champagne correctly as they will hold the weight of the bottle of champagne.
How Should Champagne be Stored?
If you are planning on opening your bottle of Champagne in a short-term period, then you’ll be able to keep the bottle placed upright. If you’re planning on storing your Champagne for a longer period of time, then you should consider purchasing a wine fridge from Elite Wine, with brands such as Dunavox and EXPO.
Without a wine cooler, your Champagne is at risk of deteriorating and losing key flavours and delicate aromas. There’s a high chance that your cork will dry out if you leave the bottle in bad condition, and doing this could potentially make your bottle of Champagne hard to open.
How Long Can I Store Opened Bottles of Champagnes?
Before you open your bottle of Champagne, you should cool it first. A quick way that you can successfully chill your Champagne is by placing the bottle inside an ice bucket - it usually takes between 10-25 minutes to chill.
Don’t attempt to chill your bottle of Champagne inside a freezer, or there is a high risk that you’ll ruin the flavour completely. When you open a bottle of Champagne, you can place it inside your fridge, but only for up to five days. If you do store your Champagne in the fridge, we suggest that you use a Champagne sealer or a hinged bubble stopper.
You should remember that one of the main aspects of having the perfect glass of bubbly for your celebrations is by focusing on getting the ideal conditions and temperatures. The best way you can achieve the best temperature is by investing in a high-quality wine cooler that’s able to store your bottles of Champagne and wines hassle-free.
Not only does having an efficient, durable wine cooler help increase the overall taste of your Champagne but having a wine cooler has been found to seriously increase the overall aesthetic look of your home, as well as help to increase property value.
If you want to hear more information about how our wine coolers can help better your Champagnes, then get in touch with our friendly support team who can guide you in the right direction based on your current situation and needs.