Wine
cellars protect alcoholic beverages from potentially harmful external
influences, providing darkness and a constant temperature. Wine is a
natural, perishable food product. Left exposed to heat, light,
vibration or fluctuations in temperature and humidity, all types of
wine can spoil. When properly stored, wines not only maintain their
quality but many actually improve in aroma, flavor, and complexity as
they mature.
Conditions:
Wine can be stored satisfactorily between 7-18 °C (45-65 °F) as long as
any variations are gradual. A temperature of 13 °C (55 °F), much like
what is found in the caves used to store wine in France, is ideal for
both short-term storage and long-term aging of wine. Note that wine
generally matures differently and more slowly at a lower temperature
than it does at a higher temperature.[citation needed] Between 10-14 °C
(50-57 °F), wines will age normally.