There are a few reasons to worry about red wine storage, including making sure it is drinkable, insuring it maintains its value when it is kept by a collector and insuring it does not lose its body or volume under stressful storage conditions. For most people, there is little concern about the proper methods for red wine storage as they plan to finish off the bottle before it becomes a concern. However, for those with a large collection for personal use or for collecting offering the bottles an optimal environment will help extend the life of the wines in storage.

Sunlight can be damaging to wines as the ultraviolet rays can cause some reactions in the contents of the wine as well as raise the temperature of the wine in the bottle. For appropriate red wine storage, red wines should be stored between 56 and 58-degrees. This may also require some chilling of the wines before it is opened and consumed as rich, red wines will offer the best flavor and aroma when served between 59 and 68-degrees. Light reds can be served between 54 and 57 degrees.

Humidity is also an important consideration for red wine storage and the room in which the wine is stored should be between 70 and 75 percent humidity. With lower humidity the volume in the bottle tends to dissipate and some wines found in storage may have an ullage too great to maintain the wine's flavor.

Underground Storage Offers Better Unaided Conditions

Many people store their wine collections in cellars underground where the humidity level is easier to maintain and there is less exposure to the sun. However, checking the bottles periodically will help determine if the correct red wine storage measures are in place. The ullage, the space between the bottom of the cork and the wine level in the bottle is a good indicator of the quality of the wine in the bottle.

When looking at a bottle of wine that has been in storage under proper conditions, if the level of wine is at or below the shoulder of the bottle, it is probably not drinkable. If the product in red wine storage facilities is high, but not touching the cork, it is still palatable and can be a sign that it is between five and 15 years old. Labels on the bottles can also be damaged by the humid conditions and many collectors will use plastic covers on the bottles in red wine storage facilities to protect their integrity.