Can You Store Italian Wine in the Fridge Without Damaging It?

When you stop to think about it, the refrigerator may be one of the most important inventions in human history.

Invented in the early-1800s, the fridge became accessible to the average person much later. But once it did, we finally had a way to store so many foods for longer. The fridge has allowed us to shop more extensively, without having to worry about foods spoiling if we don’t eat them quickly enough. And its importance is obvious when you consider the fact that practically no home feels complete without one.

Compare this to what life was like before the invention of the modern fridge.

People had to come up with all sorts of ways to store and transport perishable items.

Packing boxes with ice gave a similar effect, but proved costly as the ice needed to be constantly refreshed. Salt and other preservatives allowed meats to last longer, though not by much. And cooking techniques, such as curing, helped to preserve foods but also changed their key properties.

Simply put, the fridge made storing foods many times easier.

And of course, many of us use the fridge to store our Italian wines.

The question is…

Should we?

Can you store Italian wine in the fridge without damaging the wine?

The answer is a little more complex than you might expect.

Can You Store Italian Wine in the Fridge?

Yes…

And no!

We told you it’s a little complicated.

The answer really comes down to a few factors, such as the type of Italian wine you have and whether the wine has already been opened.

Let’s take Italian red wine first.

As a general rule, these wines should be stored somewhere that’s dark, dry, and cool. Note that we said “cool” and not “cold” here. Storing an unopened red wine in the fridge is liable to change the wine’s makeup, as the cool temperature has a slowing effect on the chemical reactions taking place inside the bottle. This means your red wines age slower in the fridge, which could lead to them failing to reach their full potential before you drink them.

On top of this, red wines are at their best when they’re served at room temperature. By storing such wines in the fridge, you’re committing yourself to having to wait for ages for the wine to reach the correct temperature for drinking.

However, this does not mean that red wines can never go in the fridge!

Once opened, red wine starts to go through oxidization.

This is great when the bottle is first opened, as oxygen hitting the wine creates chemical reactions that bring out the true nature of the drink. But over time, the presence of oxygen in the bottle causes the wine to spoil.

If you open a bottle of red and don’t finish it, it’s often a good idea to place it in the fridge.

Why?

Remember how we talked about the cold temperatures slowing down chemical reactions?

This works to your advantage with a bottle of red wine that has already been opened. By placing the wine in the fridge, you slow down the oxidization process. This, in turn, means that the wine lasts a little bit longer. It still won’t have the amazing properties it had when you first opened it. But an opened red wine kept in the fridge for a couple of days will typically taste better than one that has been left at room temperature.

What About Italian White Wines?

The rules change for Italian white wines for the simple reason that these types of wines are meant to be served chilled. They are usually less complex than their red counterparts and are at their best when they’re served in a condition that allows their refreshing qualities to come to the fore.

So, you should feel safe about putting your Italian white wines in the fridge.

However, there is a caveat.

Many white wines thrive at very specific temperatures. In some cases, the temperature in a standard fridge may not be quite right to bring the drink to its full potential.

In these cases, it may be best to invest in a dedicated wine refrigerator so you can set the right temperature and ensure the wine lasts longer.

And much like with red wines, storing opened white wines in the fridge allows them to last a little longer. Again, it’s not a perfect solution. All wines will degrade once opened. But the fridge slows down this process enough to allow you to let a couple of days pass before you finish off the bottle.

The Quick Tips for Storing Italian Wines in the Fridge

So, it is possible to store Italian wines in the fridge without damaging them. That is, as long as you’re storing the right types of wines at the right times. We’re going to wrap this up with a few quick tips to ensure you don’t end up storing your wines in such a way as to damage them:

• If the wine has a cork, store it horizontally. This ensures the cork stays moist while also ensuring that the wine doesn’t undergo premature ageing.
• Once the wine has been opened, store it upright. Ideally, you should have an airproof seal protecting the wine, such as a screw cap or a vacuum sealer. If you only have the cork, place some wax paper around it and you should find it slots back into place easily.
• Be wary of where you store the wine. Most fridges are a little warmer at the top and cooler at the bottom.
• Try not to keep your wines on the shelves in the fridge door. The key to proper storage is to allow your wines to sit as still as possible. If you keep them in the fridge door, you end up shaking them around every time you open the fridge.

Hopefully, that answers all of the fridge-based questions you might have about storing your Italian wines.

Now, you just need to get your hands on some wine!

Check out our extensive catalogue and we’re sure you’ll find something to suit your tastes.