Summer Wine Storage
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Summer wine storage: Keeping your wine happy in the heat

One of our team members was recently asked about wine Summer wine storage while at a barbecue, and it got us thinking – what better time to share some wine storage 101 tips with our favourite summer-specific hints?

Summer Wine Storage tips

Why Temperature Matters for Wine Storage

Temperature is arguably the most critical factor in wine storage. particularly when it comes to Summer wine storage as extreme heat can literally cook your wine, leading to flat flavours and damaged aromas. At Koonara, we take immense care in crafting each bottle, and we want you to enjoy them at their absolute best.

Quick Temperature Guide:

  • Ideal storage: 12-18°C However, maintaining this perfect range during an Australian summer – can be challenging.
  • Brief fluctuations: Not immediately harmful
  • Extended heat exposure: Can damage wine

Essential Summer Wine Storage Tips

  • Location is everything – especially when it comes to wine! Keep your precious bottles:
  • Never in a hot car (we all know how quickly things cook in there, even with tinted windows!)
  • On the south side of your house (nature’s wine cooler)
  • Away from sunny windows (your wines don’t need a tan)
  • Far from heat-generating appliances (yes, that means the top of your fridge is a no-go zone!)
  • Out of the kitchen (too many temperature swings)
  • In lower levels where possible (there’s a reason they’re called wine cellars!)

Common wine Storage Myths Debunked

Myth 1: Wine Must Be Stored Horizontally
  • With the majority of wines these days having a screw cap, this one is really only reserved for bottles with a cork like our Head Honcho. By storing the wine horizontally, you’re keeping the cork moist and preventing it from drying out.
Myth 2: All Wine Gets Better with Age
  • Think of wine like people – not everyone improves with age! While it’s true that some wines develop beautiful complexity over time, not every bottle is destined to be a vintage treasure. Most wines are actually crafted to be enjoyed within a few years of release.

So what makes a wine age-worthy? 

  • It all comes down to structure. Wines with firm tannins and bright acidity have the essential “backbone” needed to develop gracefully over time. These components act as natural preservatives, protecting and enhancing the wine’s flavours through the years.
  • In our range, high-tannin reds like Ambriel’s Gift Cabernet Sauvignon and Ezra’s Gift Shiraz are built to age beautifully, while high-acid whites (like our Riesling) evolve into complex, layered wines with distinctive honey notes over time.
  • Classic reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Nebbiolo are renowned for their longevity, thanks to their robust tannin structure and intense flavour concentration.
  • For whites, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sémillon stand out as exceptional examples, with their naturally high acidity helping them retain vibrancy while developing richer, more nuanced profiles.

FUN FACT: Coonawarra red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, are renowned for their exceptional aging potential. Why is this, you might wonder?

  • Our famous Terra Rossa soil (that distinctive red clay over limestone) creates the perfect environment for vines to develop deep roots, resulting in perfectly balanced fruit with ideal acidity and tannin structure.
  • Our cool maritime climate gives grapes a long, slow ripening season – think of it as a marathon rather than a sprint – allowing them to develop deep flavours and fine tannins naturally.
  • Over time, these wines transform beautifully – those firm tannins soften gracefully, revealing layers of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco notes, while maintaining their vibrant freshness.
  • The finishing touch? We age our entire red wine range in French oak barrels, adding those lovely spice notes and extra texture that help our wines mature gracefully.
Ageing Wine

Temperature Monitoring Guide

Investing in temperature monitoring doesn’t need to be complicated:

Long-term Storage Solutions

If you’re ready to get super serious about your wine collection, consider these options:

  • Create a DIY cellar in a suitable space
  • Install a dedicated wine fridge.
  • Convert a spare cupboard into a wine storage space (ensuring it’s in a suitable location that avoids temperature fluctuations)

Quick Cooling Solutions for Party Time

There’s nothing worse than lukewarm wine on a summer’s day – it’s like having hot tea at the beach! Here are our surefire solutions to ensure every glass is served just right:

  • Reds: need 30 minutes in the fridge
  • Whites & Rosés: should have 2-3 hours of chilling (perfect for our Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay or Emily May Rosé
  • Pro tip: Keep a spare bottle chilling while serving the first in our Savor Wine Glasses (shameless plug)
  • Emergency cooling: Our handy wine chill sticks.
  • Ice bucket hack: Use both ice AND water for faster cooling
  • Cellar door special: Our insulated wine cooler bags with freezable gel – perfect for keeping things extra cold with room for additional ice

A Note About Our Wines

At Koonara, we craft our wines to be as natural as possible, with minimal sulphur and no animal products. While this makes them incredibly pure and delicious, it also means proper storage is especially important. Taking care of your wine ensures you’ll enjoy every bottle exactly as we intended.

Remember, wine is more resilient than you might think, but let’s be honest – no one wants to see a beautiful bottle go to waste due to poor storage. As they say, prevention is better than cure! Following these simple guidelines will ensure your favourite Koonara wines (and other wines, of course) remain in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed at their best.

Looking for some perfectly crafted wines to stock up for summer? Explore our current releases, all lovingly created in our Coonawarra vineyard.

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