For centuries, it has been a firm rule that wine bottles should always be stored horizontally. The reason for this was the classic wine cork made of natural material, which should be kept moist so as not to dry out and protect the wine from too much oxygen. But times have changed – and with them the type of closures that are now used in many wineries.
Wine corks: tradition with hidden pitfalls
Natural cork is expensive and only available in limited quantities. It also carries the risk of a wine “corking” and becoming undrinkable as a result. The musty note that this produces quickly renders even expensive wines worthless. Nevertheless, opening a bottle with a natural cork can still be a special wine experience if everything is in order. The famous “pop” is undoubtedly part of the ritual.
Why wine corks are being used less and less often
Nowadays, many winegrowers use screw or glass closures to avoid several disadvantages of natural cork.
In addition to the lower costs for the screwdriver and the lower risk of failure, there is another decisive advantage: the bottle no longer needs to be stored horizontally because the closure does not require any moisture. There is also no need to uncork the bottle, which makes it easier to enjoy on the go or without a corkscrew.
Modern closures and flexible storage
With a screw or glass closure, the wine is perfectly sealed so that hardly any oxygen can penetrate. The frequent objection that the wine cannot “breathe” is invalid. Due to the lack of a natural cork, bottles with alternative closures have a small oxygen cushion that allows the wine to mature slowly and evenly. If you do not have a special wine cellar and store your wine in a normal living room, this type of closure is particularly beneficial. A bottle stored vertically or horizontally with a screw cap stays fresh for a long time and shows practically no loss of quality. The still widespread recommendation to store wine horizontally therefore applies above all to bottles with a natural cork.
What really counts: Temperature and rest
Whether lying down or standing upright – factors such as consistently cool temperatures, low exposure to light and as little vibration as possible play a decisive role in allowing wine to develop its full maturation potential. With modern closure methods, many of the previous storage constraints no longer apply. This means that a rack that offers space for standing bottles is now quite practical.
More freedom to enjoy wine
Wine corks may be unsurpassed when it comes to atmosphere, but screw caps and other alternatives have many advantages in everyday life. They usually cost less, protect against cork defects and eliminate the need for elaborate, horizontal storage. So if you don’t miss the romantic ritual and are more concerned with practical handling, you can rely on modern closures without hesitation – and store the wine either horizontally or vertically as you wish.
