Storing wine is much more than just keeping it — it’s about respecting time, protecting its essence and ensuring that each bottle reaches its full potential. At Caves de Murça, we know that the secret to a great wine doesn’t end with the winemaking process. The environment in which it rests makes all the difference.

In this article, we share with you the essential principles for good wine storage — just as we do in our cellars — so that you understand how care in silence and darkness can transform a promising wine into a true masterpiece.

The importance of the right temperature

Wine is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Too high a temperature accelerates aging, while too low a temperature can inhibit it or even damage the cork. The ideal? A stable temperature between 12°C and 14°C. More important than the exact value is consistency — sudden changes are the real enemy.

Humidity: balance is everything

Humidity also plays an important role. Too low levels dry out the corks, allowing oxygen to enter and, with it, the oxidation of the wine. Excessive humidity can encourage the growth of mold. In our cellars, we try to keep the relative humidity between 60% and 70%, creating the perfect balance.

Light? Just the one from opening the bottle

Light, especially sunlight, can profoundly alter the structure of wine. That’s why underground cellars, with their natural darkness, remain the best place to preserve the integrity of each bottle. Here, the wine ages protected from constant exposure that could weaken it.

Lying bottles: a choice with purpose

Placing bottles horizontally is not just a matter of aesthetics. This position keeps the cork in contact with the wine, preventing it from drying out and ensuring an effective seal over the years. It is a simple but essential practice.

No noise, no rush

Wine likes silence. Constant vibrations, even slight ones, interfere with the aging process, disturbing the natural sediments and affecting the evolution of aroma and flavor. For this reason, quiet, quiet places are essential.

Air that renews itself

A good ventilation system prevents bad odors and stagnant humidity. More than just comfort for those entering the cellar, it is a necessity so that the wine breathes as little as possible and only what is essential.

At Caves de Murça, each bottle is treated with this care — from the first time it is placed in the cellar until it is opened. Because time only works in favor of wine when the environment is right. And that is what we try to ensure, every day.