Storing champagne: 7 practical tips

A bottle of champagne is no ordinary bottle. It's a celebration in a glass, a promise in a cork. But how do you ensure that promise still sparkles weeks or even years from now? Whether you're chilling a bottle for a spontaneous occasion or aging a special cuvée for a grand occasion, proper storage is essential.

These 7 practical tips will keep your champagne fresh, lively and full of character.

1. Store lying down or upright

For shorter periods, like a few weeks to a month, you can safely leave champagne upright. The pressure in the bottle will keep the cork sufficiently moist. If you're storing a bottle for a longer period, it's best to lay it flat. This prevents the cork from drying out and oxygen from reaching the champagne.

2. Dark places are your best friend

Champagne and bright light don't mix. Sunlight and artificial light can negatively impact the flavor. Therefore, choose a spot away from the sun or store your bottles in their original box or in a locked cupboard.

3. Keep the temperature stable

Champagne thrives at a constant temperature between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius. Too warm, and your bottle will age faster than you'd like. Too cold, and it will stagnate. Fluctuations, like those caused by a refrigerator constantly being opened and closed, are especially detrimental.

4. Away from vibrations

Bottles that constantly move or vibrate? Preferably not. Champagne matures best in peace and quiet. Avoid places near appliances or places you frequently walk past.

5. Champagne and fragrances

The cork on a champagne bottle is porous. Odors from cleaning products, paint, or strong spices can easily find their way inside. So don't store your bottles next to fragrant products, but in an odor-free place.

6. Only use the refrigerator immediately before use

A refrigerator is handy for chilling a bottle for the evening. But it's not a good idea as a permanent storage location. It's too cold, too light, and too dry for long-term storage. Only put your bottle in the refrigerator a few hours before opening, or use a champagne cooler with ice and water for a quick chill.

7. Vintage? Patience is rewarded

Not every bottle of champagne needs to be aged for years. Non-vintage bottles are meant to be drunk young, ideally within three years. Vintage champagnes, on the other hand, can easily be kept for five to ten years, or even longer. Provided you store the bottle properly, of course.

Bonus: Keep an open bottle

Didn't manage to finish a bottle? Use a good champagne stopper and refrigerate it. This will keep it sparkling for another two to three days. Don't bother with the spoon, though; it doesn't really work.

Want to enjoy an opened bottle longer? Contact us for more information about the Coravin systems. These allow you to store champagne for up to four weeks after opening, without losing any bubbles or flavor.

Champagne deserves a prominent place, whether it's that one bottle for a special moment or your entire cellar collection.

Looking for bottles worth keeping? Discover our selection of special champagnes from small houses at OnlyChamps.nl