Wine Storage Glossary

The world of refrigerated and cooled wine storage can be complicated. If you're interested in wine and you want some basic knowledge on how to store and preserve your favorite bottles, it's essential to know some of the key terms involved with wine refrigeration and storage. The glossary below is designed to help.

Aging Barrel
A barrel used to age wine or distilled spirits.

Bodega
A Spanish wine cellar. Also refers to a seller of alcoholic beverages.

Bottle Shock
Also referred to as bottle-sickness, bottle shock is a temporary condition that occurs immediately after a wine is bottled. It is characterized by a disjointed fruity flavor. May also occur when more fragile wines are jostled during transport. This condition usually goes away after a few days of proper storage.

Cold Stabilization
A process used for making wine, where the wine is refrigerated at almost-freezing temperatures for a time period of several weeks, thus encouraging the formation of tartrate crystals.

Humidity
The amount of wetness in the atmosphere. In wine storage, the wine cooler or refrigerator should be set to around 70% humidity, or in the range of 55-75% depending on the type of wine being stored.

Lightstruck
Used by wine tasters, this term refers to a wine that has been over-exposed to ultraviolet light, resulting in a taste similar to that of wet cardboard. Can be prevented by use of a properly-sealed wine cabinet or refrigerator.

Madeirized
Another wine-tasting term, evidence of oxidation taking place in a wine that has been stored past its prime.

Screwcap
A more modern alternative to cork wine sealers, screwcaps feature a metal cap that threads onto the bottle. Ideal for use in wine refrigerators where wine is stored on its side. Once a bottle has been opened, a screwcap can be replaced, and the bottle can be put back into storage for about three days.

Stoving Wine A production method of artificially mellowing wine by exposing it to heat. Through-Wall Cooling System Ideal for wine cellars, these systems are installed much like air conditioners and help maintain the proper temperature for wine refrigeration in a large cellar space. Wine Cave Literally an underground cave, dug for the purpose of providing a cool location for wine refrigeration and storage. Wine Cellar A location where wine is stored, for the purpose of aging or preservation. Cool and dark, wine cellars are usually located underground for the best maintenance of temperature control.

Wine Cooler
A container, such as an ice-filled bucket or chest, or a refrigerator, designed for cooling wine. Nowadays this term also refers to a sweet drink made from wine, fruit juice and carbonated water.

Wine Refrigerator
Also called a wine cooler, a wine refrigerator is designed to chill wine to the ideal temperature for serving and consumption. Ideal for those who want to preserve their wines without investing in wine cellars.