Can I Store My White Wines With My Red Wines?

Most wine lovers understand the joy of opening a perfectly aged bottle of wine that’s served at the right temperature. Achieving that ideal can be difficult though. Understanding why and how wine should be stored is a great first step to ensuring that your wine develops at the proper pace.

But what’s the difference between white and red wines? Although both can be stored together in the long-term, you might want to consider storing them separately if you plan on drinking them in the near future. First, let’s understand how to store your wine properly, regardless of its tint.

How to Store Your Wine Properly

All wines, whether red or white, should be stored at a consistent temperature in a cool, dry place. Wine cellars are usually found in basements, away from natural light since the sun’s UV rays can damage wine. For those of us without a wine cellar, wine coolers and refrigerators can mimic the same environment of a wine cellar to perfectly preserve your wine for the long-term or to use for everyday storage. 

It’s important to store your wine at a consistent temperature, usually between 50 and 60 degrees. Most wine coolers or refrigerators will have soft, LED lighting or red-tinted lighting to replicate the dark environment of a cellar. You’ll also notice that coolers or refrigerators store bottles horizontally or upside down so that the wine has contact with the cork. This prevents the cork from becoming dried out and porous, which causes oxygen to enter the bottle. 

Why Temperature is Important

Storing your wine between 50 and 60 degrees allows the wine to age at the proper rate. Storing it in a place warmer than 60 degrees can shorten the lifespan of your wine but storing it at a temperature lower than 50 degrees can prevent the wine from fully developing.

Since red wines have heavier tannins than white wines, they will last longer. Red wines can last 30 years when stored correctly, while white wines only last around 8 to 10 years. It’s also important to keep the temperature consistent. If the temperature of your cellar or refrigerator varies, it will cause more pressure on the cork of the wine, ultimately allowing more oxygen to enter the bottle. This will result in a disappointing, vinegar-like taste when you open that highly anticipated bottle and realize your good wine has gone bad. 

Do You Need to Store Red and White at Different Temperatures?

The short answer to this highly debated question is that red and white wines can be preserved at the same temperature in the same wine cooler or fridge. However, since red and white wines should be served at different temperatures, purchasing a dual-zone fridge might be a smart investment. Red wines are best served at 55 to 65 degrees, while white wines are best served at 49 to 55 degrees.

If you plan on storing your wine for an extended period of time, then it’s probably fine to store your reds and whites together at a median temperature of 55 degrees. At this temperature, your white wine will be ready to serve, while your red will only need a short time to aerate and warm up to its proper temperature. However, if you plan on serving your wine in the near future, storing them at different temperatures might be a wise decision.

Best Selling Wine Coolers/Refrigerators

If you decide that you want to store your red and white wines at different temperatures to ensure they are at the perfect temperature for serving, this EdgeStar dual zone wine cooler might be the best buy for you. This wine cooler is one of the highest rated by users and it holds 141 bottles. The wine cooler makes it easy to separate your reds and whites and set different temperatures for each side of the cooler. The cooler has tinted glass and digital controls to easily adjust and monitor the temperature of your wines. 

If you want a long-term storage plan for your wines and decide that they can be stored at the same temperature, a single zone wine cooler might be a better option. This EdgeStar single zone wine cooler holds up to 151 bottles with even-air cooling technology. The cooler’s powerful circulation fans ensure that your wines stay at a consistent, cool temperature. 

Whether or not you choose to store your red and white wines together, the key is maintaining the right temperature of the wine to have an optimal wine drinking experience.