Baijiu, a drink with profound cultural heritage, has long been not only an alcoholic beverage, but also a representative of traditional Chinese culture. For lovers, keeping a good bottle of wine is like guarding a good memory. But how to ensure that this beauty is not eroded by the years, but becomes more mellow with the precipitation of time? This requires us to know the right way to store it.
In China, there is a long history of liquor consumption and collection. Whether it is a gathering of family and friends, or a business banquet, baijiu is an indispensable wine. However, many people lose the original flavor of precious liquor due to the lack of professional storage knowledge after purchasing, which is undoubtedly a pity.
1. Choose a "home" for the liquor - a suitable storage environment
To store liquor, you must first choose a suitable "home" for it. This "home" should not only be safe, but also comfortable, ensuring that the liquor can "grow" in it.
1. The right temperature is key
Imagine how liquor would feel if it was left in an environment that was too hot or too cold? Just as we people feel discomfort in extreme weather, the same goes for liquor. Excessive temperature will accelerate the evaporation of alcohol and other components in the wine, making the original rich, multi-layered taste thin and losing the pleasure of tasting.
The ideal storage temperature should be maintained between 15°C and 20°C. At such temperatures, the chemical composition of the liquor is able to remain stable, thus ensuring the longevity of its quality. If you have a thermostatic wine cooler at home, it is undoubtedly the best storage choice. The thermostatic wine cabinet can precisely control the temperature and provide a stable growth environment for the liquor.
Of course, not every home has a thermostatic wine cooler. In this case, we can choose a place in the home where the temperature is relatively stable, such as a basement, attic, or a corner away from heating and direct sunlight, to store liquor.
2. Light and humidity: It's the devil in the details
In addition to temperature, light and humidity are also important factors that affect the storage of liquor. Prolonged exposure to intense light, especially ultraviolet light, can lead to chemical changes in the organic components of the wine, which in turn affect the color, aroma and taste of the wine. Therefore, we should make sure that the place where the liquor is stored is away from direct sunlight and other strong light sources.
In terms of humidity, a relative humidity of 60%-70% is ideal. Low humidity may cause the cork to dry out, which in turn will affect the tightness of the bottle, allowing air and external impurities to enter the bottle and accelerate the oxidation of the wine. Conversely, high humidity can cause the label of the bottle to peel off and even cause mildew.
To ensure that the storage environment in your home reaches the ideal humidity, consider placing some moisture absorbers or humidifiers in your wine cabinet or storage room. At the same time, check the hygrometer regularly to ensure that the ambient humidity is always maintained within the appropriate range.
2. How to place bottled liquor?
After choosing the storage environment, the next thing we need to consider is how to place these precious liquors.
The way liquor is placed has a direct impact on its quality. At present, the liquor on the market, especially high-end brands, has a good seal design, such as screw caps or plastic caps. These capped liquors are suitable for upright storage as they ensure that there is always close contact between the cap and the mouth, reducing the chance of air entering the bottle.
Upright storage has the added benefit of saving space. For those who have a large wine collection, upright storage allows them to make more efficient use of the space in their wine cabinet or pantry.
However, if your liquor is sealed with a wooden cork, then the situation is different. The contact area between the stopper and the bottle finish is relatively large, and if it is left upright for a long time, the stopper may shrink due to drying, resulting in a decrease in tightness. Therefore, for the liquor sealed by wooden stoppers, it is recommended to use the method of lying down. This ensures that the stopper remains wet at all times, thus maintaining a good seal.
3. The difference between long-term storage and short-term storage
1. Key points for short-term storage
Short-term storage, which usually refers to a time frame of a few days to a few months. In this case, our main concern is how to prevent the influence of external factors on the liquor. Temperature fluctuations, light, and odors are the top three enemies to watch out for in short-term storage.
To ensure that the liquor retains good quality in short-term storage, we can choose a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a wine cabinet or attic at home. At the same time, make sure that the storage environment is away from items with strong odors, such as perfumes, detergents, etc.
2. Long-term storage
Long-term storage of liquor requires more thoughtful consideration. Storage for months, years, or even longer requires more fine-grained control over the environment. In addition to temperature, light and humidity, we also need to consider the cleanliness and ventilation of the environment.
Long-term storage of liquor is best placed in a dedicated wine cellar or thermostatic wine cabinet. These places not only have stable temperature and humidity, but also can insulate from odors and pollution from the outside world. In addition, regular cleaning and ventilation are essential. This ensures the cleanliness of the storage environment and prevents the growth of mold and other microorganisms.
During long-term storage, we also regularly check the condition of the liquor. This includes checking the cap for leaks, the clarity of the liquor, and the presence of unusual odors. If any problems are found, measures should be taken to deal with them in a timely manner.
Fourth, special care for special types of liquor
High-grade or aged baijiu like Laobaigan and Moutai require extra attention when stored due to their unique brewing process and rarity. The value of these wines tends to be very high, so any small oversights can lead to huge losses.
For these special types of liquor, in addition to controlling the basic conditions such as temperature, light and humidity, we also need to consider how to isolate odors. Because the aroma and taste of these wines are very delicate, they are easily affected by external odors.
In order to ensure the quality of these precious liquors, we can consider using special wine bags or wine boxes for secondary packaging. This not only adds a layer of protection, but also effectively blocks odors and pollution from the outside world.
5. Common misunderstandings and ways to avoid liquor storage
In the process of storing liquor, there are some common misunderstandings that require special attention.
1. Avoid environments with large temperature differences
Some people may think that as long as the liquor is not exposed to direct sunlight, it can be left at will. But in fact, the environment with too large temperature difference will also have a negative impact on the quality of baijiu. The large temperature difference will cause the sealing rubber ring between the cap and the bottle body to expand and contract, which will affect the sealing. Therefore, we need to ensure that the temperature of the place where the liquor is stored is stable and avoid excessive temperature differences.
2. Don't move frequently
Some people may like to adjust the position of the wine or take it out frequently to admire. But in fact, frequent movement of baijiu will affect its internal chemical reactions and the stability of the sediment, which in turn will affect the quality of the liquor. Therefore, once you have decided on the placement of the liquor, it is best not to move it too often.
3. Pay attention to odor isolation
The effect of peculiar smell on the quality of liquor has been mentioned earlier. In order to ensure that the quality of the liquor is not affected, we must ensure that the storage environment is away from items with strong odors. If possible, the storage environment can be ventilated regularly, or items such as activated carbon can be used to absorb odors.
Storing liquor properly is not a simple matter. It requires a certain amount of expertise and care. However, as long as we practice and adjust according to the above methods, we believe that each bottle of treasured liquor can present its unique flavor and value in the best state.