Choose a type of grape. As with any plant, certain types of grapes grow better in different areas and offer up different flavors and appearances. There are three general types of grapes: American, European, and Muscadine grapes. American grapes grow best in warm, sunny climates like that of central California.
Before Opening. 1  1. Keep it in the dark. Store all wines away from light, especially direct sunlight and fluorescent fixtures. 2  2. Store corked wine bottles on their sides. If they are stored upright for a long amount of time, the corks will dry out, and air will eventually get to the wine, spoiling it. 3  3. Keep the temperature constant. For extended aging of wine (over 1 year), refrigeration is a must in most parts of the world; even a below-ground cellar is not cool enough. Wine storage temperature should not go over 75ËF (24Â°C), for longer than brief spans of time. At 75Â°F, wine begins to oxidize.
There is a big misconception in the wine world that white and red wines should be stored at different temperatures. The fact of the matter is that ALL wine (red, white, sparkling, fortified, etc.) should be stored at between 53-57 degrees F.