Storing Wine #1: Store at 70 degrees or lower in a cool, dry location

Since wine is merely fermented grape juice, storing juice at the incorrect temperature can cause it to degrade quickly. Your wine can start to "cook" as the temperature rises beyond 80, and if it stays there for too long or exceeds 90 degrees, it will be spoiled. It is simple to determine whether a wine has been "boiled" by heat exposure by smelling it. The wine has probably turned owing to heat if it smells like stewed fruit and raisins.

Never store bottles in areas without access to a cooling source, such as a garage or unventilated basement, and keep them away from heat sources like radiators. Just store your bottles in the refrigerator if you want to be safe.

Storing Wine #2: Always store wine on the side, not uprightor lower in a cool, dry location

You might assume that because you've seen wine sold upright in stores that this is how it should be stored, but this is unluckily incorrect. Since the liquid cannot remain in continual touch with the cork when the wine is upright, the seal on the bottle can become slack, allowing more oxygen to seep in and taint the wine. This is true even if the cork does a great deal to defend a wine from its enemy oxygen. The wine is sealed and kept safe by maintaining consistent contact between the cork and the wine. You may accomplish this at home by using a wine bottle holder or a desktop wine rack.