How to Store Wine & Spirits Properly: Tips to Keep Your Bottles at Their Best
Why Storage Matters More Than You Think
You’ve picked the perfect bottle — maybe a smooth WA cabernet sauvignon or a top-shelf single malt — but what happens next can make or break the experience. It’s easy to overlook, but how you store wine and spirits plays a huge role in preserving taste, longevity, and overall value.
From temperature swings to too much light, even minor storage missteps can impact the flavour and character of your favourite drinks. Whether you’re keeping a few bottles at home, storing gifts until the big day, or planning drinks for a special event, a few smart habits can go a long way.
At Brew+, we’ve helped thousands of customers get the most out of their purchases. So if you’ve ever wondered about the best way to store wine or how to keep spirits from spoiling, this is your guide.
Want to get the best out of your bottles? Here’s how to store them like a pro — straight from your local bottleshop in Busselton.
Wine Storage 101: How to Keep It Fresh & Flavourful
Wine is sensitive. Temperature, light, and even how the bottle is positioned can affect its taste, texture, and longevity. Whether you’re aging a special vintage or just keeping a few bottles on hand for dinner, proper wine storage makes all the difference.
Store at a Consistent, Cool Temperature
Fluctuations in temperature are one of the quickest ways to spoil wine. Aim to store bottles at a stable temperature between 12°C and 16°C. Warmer conditions can accelerate ageing, while rapid changes can cause the cork to expand and contract — letting air in and ruining the wine.
If you don’t have a cellar or wine fridge, choose the coolest part of your home, away from appliances, heaters, or direct sun.
Keep Bottles Away from Sunlight
UV rays can break down the compounds in wine, especially whites and rosés, leading to flat flavours and discolouration. Store wine in a dark cupboard, wine rack, or specially designed storage fridge to avoid unnecessary light exposure.
Lay Bottles with Corks on Their Side
For wines sealed with a cork, horizontal storage keeps the cork moist, which helps maintain an airtight seal. If the cork dries out, it can shrink and let oxygen in, which ages the wine too quickly. Screw-cap bottles, on the other hand, can be stored upright without issue.
Avoid Vibration and Movement
If you're planning to store wine for more than a few weeks, keep it in a spot that stays still. Vibrations from foot traffic, appliances, or frequent handling can disturb sediment and disrupt the ageing process — especially for reds that benefit from cellaring.
Not sure where to start with home wine storage? Ask our team in-store — we’re always happy to offer practical tips based on your space, budget, and bottle mix.
How to Store Spirits Like Whisky, Gin & Vodka
Spirits might be more robust than wine, but they’re still sensitive to certain storage conditions. Whether you're building a whisky collection or just keeping a few favourites on hand, proper storage helps maintain flavour and avoid spoilage — especially once the bottle is opened.
Upright Is Best
Unlike wine, most spirits have a high alcohol content that can degrade corks over time. That’s why bottles should always be stored standing up. It prevents contact between the liquid and the cork, reducing the chance of leakage or off flavours — especially in whiskies and aged rums.
Room Temperature Is Just Fine
Spirits don’t require refrigeration. In fact, storing them at a consistent room temperature (around 15°C to 20°C) is ideal. Avoid putting bottles near stoves, windows, or other heat sources that can warm them up and change their profile.
Seal Tightly After Opening
Once opened, spirits are exposed to air — and over time, oxidation can change the taste and reduce the alcohol strength. Always close bottles tightly, and for long-term storage, consider transferring smaller amounts to reduce air exposure. Some whisky drinkers even decant for visual appeal, though it’s more about presentation than preservation.
Watch the Light
Prolonged sunlight can break down certain compounds in spirits — especially in clear bottles like gin or vodka. Keep them stored in a cabinet, bar cart, or box where light is limited.
Whether you’re storing a special single malt or prepping for the summer G&Ts, these simple tips will help your bottles last longer and taste better.
Common Storage Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best bottles can suffer if they’re stored the wrong way. These are some of the most common missteps people make when storing wine and spirits — and how to avoid them.
Leaving bottles in the car
Extreme heat or cold, especially in summer, can quickly spoil both wine and spirits. Even a few hours in a parked car can be enough to damage a bottle’s contents.Storing on the kitchen bench or windowsill
These spots often get a lot of light and fluctuating heat — two of the worst things for alcohol. Choose a cool, dark cabinet or corner instead.Ignoring half-finished spirits
Once a spirit bottle is half-full (or less), oxidation can speed up. If you’re not planning to finish it soon, transfer it to a smaller bottle to limit air exposure — or enjoy it while it’s still at its best.Using wine fridges for spirits (or vice versa)
Wine fridges are designed for the lower temperatures and humidity levels that wines need — not spirits. Keep your whisky, gin, and vodka at room temperature in upright bottles.
Not sure where your wine should live? Ask our staff in-store — we’re always happy to help you get the most out of your collection.
Planning an Event? Here's How to Store Bulk Wine & Spirits Safely
Hosting a wedding, party, or summer function? Buying in bulk is a great way to make sure everyone’s covered — but storing large quantities of alcohol takes a bit of care.
Whether it’s wine, beer, or spirits, how you store them before the big day can impact taste and freshness, especially in warm weather.
Keep everything cool and dry
Store your drinks in a shaded area away from direct sunlight, ideally inside where temperatures stay more stable. Avoid leaving boxes in sheds or garages if they get too hot.Don’t use ice tubs for long-term storage
Ice buckets and tubs are great for serving, but not for storage. Prolonged contact with melting ice can ruin labels and cause temperature swings that affect quality.Chill wine gradually
If you’re serving white, sparkling, or rosé, refrigerate them slowly in the day or two before your event. Rapid chilling — like putting bottles straight in the freezer — can damage the flavour or even crack glass.
Planning something big? We can help. From choosing the right mix of drinks to giving advice on safe storage before your event, our team is here to make it easy.
Visit our Weddings & Events page or chat with us in-store to get started.
Can You Store Alcohol in the Freezer? (And Should You?)
It’s a common question — especially in summer — but the answer depends on what you're storing. While some spirits can handle the cold, others really shouldn’t go anywhere near the freezer.
Spirits like vodka? Yes.
High-proof spirits like vodka, gin, and some liqueurs can be stored in the freezer without issue. In fact, many people prefer the smoother texture and chilled serve, especially for vodka-based cocktails.
Whisky? Not ideal.
While freezing won’t ruin whisky, it can dull its flavour and alter its mouthfeel. If you’ve invested in a good bottle, it’s best enjoyed at room temperature or slightly chilled using whisky stones rather than ice or freezing.
Wine? Absolutely not.
Wine has a much lower alcohol content and a higher water content — which means it can freeze, expand, and crack the bottle. Even if it doesn’t break, freezing damages the flavour and structure of the wine.
If you're ever unsure, just remember: spirits might survive the freezer, but wine definitely won’t.
Final Tips for Long-Term Collectors
If you’re starting a wine collection — or simply want to keep a few bottles in great condition over time — a bit of planning goes a long way. Here’s how to keep your collection in top shape for the long haul.
Invest in a wine fridge or cellar cabinet
These are designed to maintain consistent temperature and humidity — ideal for ageing wine. Even a small unit can make a big difference for your favourite reds and whites.Label vintages and rotate stock
Keep track of what you have and when it’s best to drink it. Placing newer purchases behind older ones makes it easy to follow a “first in, first out” approach.Store spirits upright and undisturbed
If you’re collecting whisky or gin, focus on keeping bottles sealed tightly, stored away from light, and standing up to preserve their integrity.Don’t forget to enjoy
Cellaring is about patience — but wine is meant to be shared. Open a bottle now and then to mark an occasion or simply to enjoy what you’ve invested in.
Looking to build a cellar? Our team can recommend local wines that age beautifully — come in and ask.
